The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lyre \Lyre\, n. [OE. lire, OF. lyre, L. lyra, Gr. ?. Cf.
   Lyra.]
   1. (Mus.) A stringed instrument of music; a kind of harp much
      used by the ancients, as an accompaniment to poetry.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The lyre was the peculiar instrument of Apollo, the
         tutelary god of music and poetry. It gave name to the
         species of verse called lyric, to which it originally
         furnished an accompaniment.
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   2. (Astron.) One of the constellations; Lyra. See Lyra.
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   Lyre bat (Zool.), a small bat (Megaderma lyra),
      inhabiting India and Ceylon. It is remarkable for the
      enormous size and curious shape of the nose membrane and
      ears.

   Lyre turtle (Zool.), the leatherback.
      [1913 Webster]