> Etymology of FLUTE: > First recorded in Provençal, as FLAUT, And in English the flute player is yet called a flautist.
>Engl. flute > Provenc. fleute > Lat. flatus > flare (blow, breathe). And I do hope there is no reflection on the sound of the flute - flatus being the medical term for an expulsion of sometimes noxious gasses from one's nether region. > No Arabic needed (would have been al-oud, btw). One does hope that all instruments are played aloud (although sometimes I wonder about some players). Best, Jon To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
