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Glite Dictionary
luthier

luthier

1 9.9
A person who makes and repairs musical instruments with strings like guitars and violins
  • noun
  • /ˈluːθiər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lutier
  • The luthier carefully crafted each guitar to enhance its sound quality.
  • luthier makes

Examples

  • Every few years, he travels to Seattle to attend the Guild of American Luthiers convention.

    Blog text (14)

  • It just might take you a year where it takes a luthier four or five days.

  • The variety of wood for each component is chosen by the luthier.

    Academic text (2011)

  • This is a gift from a couple of luthiers and I'm going to crack it open.

  • While there, he rubs elbows with some of the most famous luthiers in the world.

    Blog text (14)

  • His collaboration with luthier Antonio Torres improved the construction of six-string guitars.

    Academic text (2010)

  • In addition to electronic amplification, luthiers have employed the use of metal strings and materials other than wood for the body to try to produce a louder sound.

    Academic text (2011)

  • A biography of the Massachusetts-born luthier (1911-2009), a former science teacher turned self-taught pioneer in violin-making and violin acoustics.

    Academic text (2016)

  • After years of practice, she became a skilled luthier, making beautiful violins for musicians.

  • During the festival, the luthier showcased his handmade lutes to an enthusiastic audience.

Surface Forms

luthier singular
luthiers plural

Morphology

luthier = lute (semi-transparent) = luth + ier

Formally built from the root corresponding to 'lute' plus the French agentive suffix '-ier'; the root is recognizable but the suffix is a borrowed formation and the meaning is extended to makers of various stringed instruments.

Etymology

Luthier comes from the French word luth, the old string instrument called 'lute', and the ending -ier, which means 'maker'. So a luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes, guitars and violins.