Violin

(vi-o-lin'.) [It. violino.] (Mus.) The most perfect of all stringed musical instruments played with the bow. It consists of three chief parts-the neck, the table, and the sounding-board. The V. has four catgut strings of different sizes, of which the largest is wound round with wire. The bridge bears them up from the belly, and they reach from one extremity called the tail-piece, to the other near the hand, where they are tightened by turning pins. The excellence of the instrument consists in its purity and distinctne , strength, and fulne of tone. [s. 939]