Hypertext Webster Gateway: "fife"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fife \Fife\, n. [F. fifre, OHG. pf[=i]fa, 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fife \Fife\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fifed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{fifing}.]
To play on a fife.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
fife
n : a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a
shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a
marching band
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