Lewis & Short

† lyra, ae, f., = λύρα,

  1. I. a lute, lyre, a stringed instrument resembling the cithara, fabled to have been invented by Mercury and presented to Apollo, Hyg. Astr. 2, 7: curvae lyrae parens, Hor. C. 1, 10, 6: Threiciam digitis increpuisse lyram, Ov. H. 3, 118: mox cecinit laudes prosperiore lyrā, id. A. A. 3, 50; Val. Fl. 5, 100.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. Lyric poetry, song: imbellis, Hor. C. 1, 6, 10: Aeoliae Lesbis amica lyrae, Ov. Am. 2, 18, 26; id. P. 3, 3, 45.
    2. B. In gen., poetic genius: Inferior lyra, Stat. Th. 10, 445.
    3. C. Lyra, the constellation, the Lyre: exoriente Lyra, Ov. F. 1, 315; cf. Hyg. Astr. 3, 6; Varr. R. R. 2, 5.