vi·ol (v   l)n. 1. Any of a family of stringed instruments, chiefly of the 16th and 17th centuries, having a fretted fingerboard, usually six strings, and a flat back and played with a curved bow. 2. See viola da gamba. [Alteration of Middle English viel, from Old French viole, vielle, from Old Provençal viola; see viola1.] |
viol [ˈvaɪəl]
n
(Music / Instruments) any of a family of stringed musical instruments that preceded the violin family, consisting of a fretted fingerboard, a body rather like that of a violin but having a flat back and six strings, played with a curved bow. They are held between the knees when played and have a quiet yet penetrating tone; they were much played, esp in consorts, in the 16th and 17th centuries
[from Old French viole, from Old Provençal viola; see viola1]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  viol - any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin familybowed stringed instrument, string - stringed instruments that are played with a bow; "the strings played superlatively well" viola da braccio - a member of the viol family with approximately the range of a viola bass viol, gamba, viola da gamba - viol that is the bass member of the viol family with approximately the range of the cello viola d'amore - viol that is the tenor of the viol family |
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