tirralirra

English

Alternative forms

• tiralee

Etymology

Imitative.

Interjection

tirralirra

1. A verbal imitation of a musical sound, such as of the note of a lark or a horn.
   • c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:

     The lark, that tirra-lyra chants,

   • 1832 December (indicated as 1833), Alfred Tennyson, “The Lady of Shalott”, in Poems, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, part the third, page 15:

     From the bank, and from the river, / He flashed into the crystal mirror, / "Tirra lirra, tirra lirra," / Sang Sir Launcelot.

See also

• toora loora

References

• “tirralirra”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.