a musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. the modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with the mouth at a lateral hole.-a channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical architecture. see illust. under base, n.-a similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle.-a long french breakfast roll.-a stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound.-a kind of flyboat; a storeship.-to play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.-to play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like that of a flute.-to form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle, etc.