lute
UK[luːt]US[luːt]
n
a stringed musical instrument with a long neck and a rounded body with a flat front, played by plucking the strings.
Etymology
the word 'lute' entered english in the 13th century from the old french 'lut' or 'leut'. this, in turn, was derived from the old provençal 'laüt', which came from the arabic 'al-ʿūd', literally meaning 'the wood'. the arabic definite article 'al-' was absorbed into the word during its transmission through romance languages. the instrument itself, originating in the middle east, became highly popular in europe during the medieval and renaissance periods, with its name solidifying in english as a simple, unanalyzable term for the specific instrument.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the musician skillfully played a renaissance melody on the lute.
the sound of a lute often evokes the atmosphere of a medieval court.
he is learning to tune the strings of his new lute.