Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 5–6 lutar, 6 leutare, lewter, 6– luter. [f. LUTE v.1 + -ER1.] A lute-player.

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1474.  Ld. Treas. Acc. Scot. (1877), I. 59. Item to the lutare, j elne 1/2 quarter of grene for his gowne. Ibid. (1497), 376. Giffin to ane lutar … ixs.

2

1502.  Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. of York (1830), 29. Item … to Giles lewter for stringes for the Quene of Scottes lewte … xs.

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1532.  Hervet, Xenophon’s Househ. (1768), 65. To exercyse the hande, as harpers and luters do, that it may folowe the mind.

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1654.  Vilvain, Epit. Ess., V. 73. Twixt Nightingal and Luter a strife extended.

5

1660.  Haward, Crown Rev., 25. Two Luters: Fee a piece … 40 0 0.

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1893.  Nat. Observer, 11 March, 415/1. The wooers and luters of Watteau’s fans are phantasms.

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