Viol

vi'ol, n. (Mus.) A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of the same form as the violin, but larger. [The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, base-viol, etc.] (Xaut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor. [F. viole, Sp., Pg., and Proven, viola, LL. vitula, a viol, prob. L. vitular i, to keep holiday, celebrate a festival, orig. to sacrifice a calf, vitulus, a calf: see Veal: AS. fidh- OHG. fidula, E. fiddle = LL. vitula.] — Vl'ola, An instrument resembling the violin, but somewhat larger, and l-5th lower in compa . Sp., Pg.,and Proven.: see preceding.] — Vi'din', -o-lin', n. An instrument with 4 strings, played with a bow; a fiddle. violino, dim. of violo, a viol.] — Vi'olin'ist, n. A player on a violin. — Vi'oliat, n. A player on the viol; a violinist. — V i'o o n cello, ve'o-lon-chel'lo or -sel'lo, n. A ba -viol of 4 strings, or a ba -violin with long, large strings, giving sounds an octave lower than the tenor violin. dim. of violone, a — base-viol, augm. of violo.] Viniinvioun. Vi'oloncel'list, n. One who plays on the violoncello. — Violo'ne, ve'o-lo'na, n. The largest instrument of the ba -viol kind, having strings tuned an octave below those of the violoncello. augm. of viola.] Violaceous. See under Violet.