Panpipe
/ˈpæn.paɪp/noun
A musical instrument made of a row of tuned pipes of different lengths, played by blowing across the tops.
Did you know?The name comes from Pan, the Greek rustic god of shepherds and wild places, whose breathy pipes helped make the instrument feel like a voice of the untamed world.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πάν (Pán)
“The name of the Greek god Pan, associated with shepherds, flocks, mountains, and wild nature.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σύριγξ τοῦ Πανός (sýrinx toû Panós)
“‘Pan’s pipe’ or ‘Pan flute,’ the rustic reed instrument linked to the god Pan.”
Latin
Latin
fistula Panis / tibia Panis
“Latin expressions for Pan’s pipe or flute.”
Middle English
English
pan pipe
“A pipe or flute associated with Pan; later, the modern compound name for the instrument.”
Modern English
English
panpipe
“The standard term for the multi-piped musical instrument.”