Fife (?), n. [F. fifre, OHG. pfifa, LL. pipa pipe, pipare to play on the pipe, fr. L. pipire, pipare, to peep, pip, chirp, as a chiken. See Pipe.] Mus.
A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used chiefly to accompany the drum in military music.
Fife major Mil., a noncommissioned officer who superintends the fifers of a regiment. -- Fife rail. Naut. (a) A rail about the mast, at the deck, to hold belaying pins, etc. (b) A railing around the break of a poop deck.
© Webster 1913.
Fife, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fifed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. fifing.]
To play on a fife.
© Webster 1913.