Also 7 erron. -doux. [Fr. flûte douce lit. ‘sweet flute.’]
† 1. The highest-pitched variety of the old flute with a mouthpiece.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, II. i.
| Whose Ears are grown so delicate since our Opera’s, | |
| You can be charm’d with nothing but Flute Doux, and French Hoboys. |
1679. Evelyn, Diary, 20 Nov. There was also a flute douce, now in much request for accompanying the voice.
1747. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to C’tess Bute, 24 July. We have none so rough as trumpets, kettle-drums, and French horns: they are all violins, lutes, mandolins, and flutes doux.
2. An organ-stop so named.
1876. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms.
