I. ˈlirə, ˈlē- noun
Etymology: Italian, from Latin libra balance, unit of weight
1. plural li·re ˈlē(ˌ)rā also li·ras ˈlirəz, ˈlē-
a. : the basic monetary unit of Italy — see money table
b. : a coin or note representing one lira
2. plural li·ras ˈlirəz, ˈlē- also li·re ˈlē(ˌ)rā
[Turkish, from Italian]
a. : a Syrian pound — see money table
b. : the basic monetary unit of Malta and Turkey — see money table
3. plural li·roth or li·rot ˈlēˌrōt(h) also li·res -(ˌ)rās or li·re -(ˌ)rā
[New Hebrew, from Italian]
: the former Israeli pound
II. ˈlērə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian, from Latin, lyre — more at lyre
1. : lyre 1
2. : hurdy-gurdy 1
3. : a bowed stringed musical instrument dating about the 15th century and related to the viol and having additional free vibrating strings
III. ˈlīrə noun
( plural li·ras -rəz ; also li·rae -(ˌ)rē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, furrow — more at learn
: a ridge (as on some shells) resembling a fine thread or a hair
• li·rate -ˌrāt, -_rə̇t adjective
• li·ra·tion līˈrāshən noun -s