Fife \Fife\, n. [F. fifre, OHG. pf[=i]fa, LL. pipa pipe, pipare
to play on the pipe, fr. L. pipire, pipare, to peep, pip,
chirp, as a chiken. See Pipe.]
(Mus.)
A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used
chiefly to accompany the drum in military music.
Fife major (Mil.), a noncommissioned officer who
superintends the fifers of a regiment.
Fife rail. (Naut.)
(a) A rail about the mast, at the deck, to hold belaying
pins, etc.
(b) A railing around the break of a poop deck.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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