lutenist

noun

lu·​te·​nist ˈlü-tə-nist How to pronounce lutenist (audio)
ˈlüt-nist
variants or lutanist
: a lute player

Examples of lutenist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of the greatest living lutenists, North will play Italian pieces with La Morra from the 15th and 16th centuries. Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2023 At times, songs would be published with a bass line, allowing the lutenist to add harmonies and style that pointed to the song’s words. Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 27 Oct. 2021 Said to have been an extraordinary lutenist, Dowland was ever conniving, ever complaining, ever in debt, ever ingratiating himself in court, ever scheming. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2020 If a lutenist happened to be on the Mayflower, as has been presumed on a new recording, the journey would have included luminous lute dances — pavanes, galliards and alemandes — by England’s greatest living and gloomiest composer, John Dowland. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2020 The idea behind this recital from a noted countertenor and a lutenist is simple: Shakespeare’s words, set to music, interspersed with readings from the playwright, given by the actor Simon Jones. David Allen, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2018 Fort Worth Classic Guitar Society presents lutenist Ronn McFarlane. Punch Shaw, star-telegram, 22 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lutenist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin lutanista, from lutana lute, probably from Middle French lut lute

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lutenist was in 1600

Cite this Entry

“Lutenist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lutenist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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