lyra, ae, f., = λύρα,
I a lute, lyre , a stringed instrument resembling the cithara, fabled to have been invented by Mercury and presented to Apollo, Hyg. Astr. 2, 7: curvae lyrae parens, Hor. C. 1, 10, 6: Threiciam digitis increpuisse lyram, Ov. H. 3, 118: mox cecinit laudes prosperiore lyrā, id. A. A. 3, 50; Val. Fl. 5, 100.—
II Transf.
A Lyric poetry, song : imbellis, Hor. C. 1, 6, 10: Aeoliae Lesbis amica lyrae, Ov. Am. 2, 18, 26; id. P. 3, 3, 45.—
B In gen., poetic genius : Inferior lyra, Stat. Th. 10, 445.—
C Lyra, the constellation, the Lyre : exoriente Lyra, Ov. F. 1, 315; cf. Hyg. Astr. 3, 6; Varr. R. R. 2, 5.