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Webster 1913 Edition

Viol

Vi′ol

,
Noun.
[F.
viole
; cf. Pr.
viola
,
viula
, Sp., Pg., & It.
viola
, LL.
vitula
; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L.
vitulari
to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful, perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (
vitulus
; cf.
Veal
). Cf.
Fiddle
,
Vielle
, 2d
Viola
,
Violin
.]
1.
(Mus.)
A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished with frets for stopping the strings.
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
Of lute, or
viol
still, more apt for mournful things.
Milton.
☞ The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass viol, etc.
2.
(Naut.)
A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.
[Written also
voyal
, and
voyal
.]
Totten.

Webster 1828 Edition

Viol

VI'OL

,
Noun.
A stringed musical instrument, of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having formerly six strings, to be struck with a bow. Viols are of different kinds. The largest of all is the base viol, whose tones are deep, soft and agreeable. The violin now takes the place of the old viol.
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings of lute, or viol, still more apt for mournful things.

Definition 2024

viol

viol

English

Noun

viol ‎(plural viols)

  1. (music) A stringed instruments related to the violin family, but held in the lap between the legs like a cello, usually with C-holes, a flat back, a fretted neck and six strings, played with an underhanded bow.

Synonyms

Hypernyms

Hyponyms

References

Verb

viol ‎(third-person singular simple present viols, present participle violing, simple past and past participle violed)

  1. To play the viol.
    • Sir Walter Scott
      “Keep your gold for those who lack it, mistress,” said Henry, “and do not offer to honest hands the money that is won by violing, and tabouring, and toetripping, and perhaps worse pastimes.
    • Thomas Hardy
      Through snowy woods and shady / We went to play a tune / To the lonely manor-lady / By the light of the Christmas moon. / We violed till, upward glancing / To where a mirror leaned, / It showed her airily dancing […]

Derived terms

French

Etymology

From Latin violō, violāre ‎(“I treat with violence; I maltreat; I violate, defile, profane”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /vjɔl/

Noun

viol m ‎(plural viols)

  1. a rape

Related terms

Norman

Etymology

From Latin violō, violāre ‎(“I treat with violence; I maltreat; I violate, defile, profane”).

Noun

viol m ‎(plural viols)

  1. (Jersey) rape

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowing from French viol.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /vi'ol/

Noun

viol n ‎(plural violuri)

  1. rape, violation

Declension

Related terms

Synonyms

  • batjocorire
  • necinstire
  • siluire
  • violare

Swedish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /vɪˈuːl/

Noun

viol c

  1. violet (the flower)

Etymology

Borrowing from Middle French viole, Old French viol, from Old Provençal viola (modern Occitan viula), from Medieval Latin *vitula ‎(“stringed instrument”). See viola.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈvaɪ.əl/

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