Lyrist
/ˈlaɪ.rɪst/noun
A person who plays the lyre or writes lyric poetry.
Did you know?Lyrist comes from the same ancient Greek root behind lyric, lyre, and even the idea of song-poetry, because in the classical world poetry was often imagined as something sung aloud, not silently read.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λυριστής (lyristḗs)
“a lyre-player; a performer or poet associated with the lyre”
Late Latin
Latin
lyrista
“a lyre-player”
Old French
Old French
lyriste
“a player of the lyre; a lyric poet”
Middle English
English
lyrist
“a lyre-player; later, a lyric poet”
Modern English
English
lyrist
“a person who plays the lyre or writes lyric poetry”