See Also: underhand(1)(dictionary)
underhand(2)(dictionary)
underhand 1, adjective(dictionary)
underhand 2, adverb(dictionary)

lyre (iou) and underhand(2) (iou)


lyre (iou)



lyre noun. ME.
[Old French lire (mod. lyre) from Latin LYRA.]
A plucked stringed musical instrument having strings fixed between a crossbar supported by two arms; spec. such an ancient Greek instrument with outwardly curved arms, usu. played with a plectrum and used to accompany song and recitation. ME.
(Usu. Lyre.) (The name of) the constellation Lyra. M19.
Comb.: lyre-bird either of two mainly ground-dwelling Australian birds forming the family Menuridae, Menura novaehollandiae and M. alberti, which have a lyre-shaped tail; lyre-flower the plant bleeding heart, Dicentra spectabilis; lyre-shaped adjective shaped like a lyre with outwardly curved arms; lyre-tail any of a number of cyprinodont fishes with coloured tails suggesting lyres.

underhand(2) (iou)



underhand adverb. OE.
[from UNDER- + HAND noun.]
a. In or into subjection; under rule or command; in one's possession or power. OE-ME.
b. In hand. LME-L17.
In a secret, covert, or clandestine manner; by secret, deceptive, or crafty means. LME.
a. Beneath or below the hand; spec. (a) Archery (rare) with the target sighted below the bow hand; (b) with a coffin carried slung from rings instead of on the bearers' shoulders. E16.
D. Neal His Majesty was underhand preparing for war.
b. With the hand held under or below the object which it grasps; Cricket (with ref. to bowling) with the hand held under the ball and lower than the shoulder, underarm. E19.
B. Hines He..lobbed it..underhand at the bedroom window.