[f. as prec. + -ER1.] One who plays the fife.
1540. in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. xii. 242. Item, for Iohn Pretre, fyfer, wagis … xxs. viijd.
1585. Jas. I, Ess. Poesie (Arb.), 17.
| Syne Phifers, Drummes, and Trumpets cleir do craue | |
| The pelmell chok with larum loude alwhair. |
1659. Torriano, Fifaro, a piper, a fifer, a fluter.
1809. Pinkney, Travels through the South of France, 247. The French boys in the army, if they signalize themselves by any act of bravery, have sometimes one year’s leave of absence given them as a reward. This is some fifer who has obtained this leave.
1840. Act 3–4 Vict., c. 96 § 53. Drummer, trumpeter, fifer.
1868. Morris, Earthly Par., II. (1870), 147.
| And men in love’s despite must grow distraught | |
| And loiter in the dance, and maidens drop | |
| Their gathered raiment, and the fifer stop | |
| His dancing notes the pensive drone that chid. |
