flue
- 01 C2 Proficiency
the opening in an organ pipe that lets air through to make a sound.
the narrow opening in an organ pipe between the lower lip and the languet through which air is directed.
Simple“The organ builder carefully adjusted the flue to improve the pipe's tone.”
In context“The characteristic timbre of the rank was achieved by precisely tapering the flue of each individual pipe to control the air pressure.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
soft, light pieces of wool or dust.
a woolly or downy substance; fine, soft fibers or nap.
Simple“She brushed the bits of flue off her dark wool coat.”
In context“The old weaver complained about the constant presence of flue in the air, which settled like snow upon every surface of the mill.”
From Middle English flue, flewe (“mouthpiece of a hunting horn”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a back-formation from Middle English *flews (mistaken as a plural), from Old English flēwsa (“a flow, flowing, flux”). Alternatively, perhaps an alteration of Middle English floute, fleute, flote (“a pipe”), see English flute. Compare also Middle Dutch vloegh (“groove, channel, flute of a fluted column”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.