a wind instrument made from a tube with holes that are stopped by the fingers or keys, held vertically or horizontally (in which case it is also called a transverse flute) so that the player's breath strikes a narrow edge. The modern orchestral form is a transverse flute, typically made of metal, with an elaborate set of keys

an ornamental vertical groove in a column

a tall, narrow wine glass

a flute of champagne

speak in a melodious way

‘What do you do?’ she fluted

make flutes or grooves in

the wood has been fluted to resemble Greek columns