from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fife \Fife\ (f[imac]f), n. [F. fifre, OHG. pf[imac]fa, LL. pipa
pipe, pipare to play on the pipe, fr. L. pipire, pipare, to
peep, pip, chirp, as a chiken. See {Pipe}.] (Mus.)
A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used
chiefly to accompany the drum in military music.
[1913 Webster]
{Fife major} (Mil.), a noncommissioned officer who
superintends the fifers of a regiment.
{Fife rail}. (Naut.)
(a) A rail about the mast, at the deck, to hold belaying
pins, etc.
(b) A railing around the break of a poop deck.
[1913 Webster]