viol

[vahy-uhl]

noun

1. a bowed musical instrument, differing from the violin in having deeper ribs, sloping shoulders, a greater number of strings, usually six, and frets: common in the 16th and 17th centuries in various sizes from the treble viol to the bass viol.

viol

/ ˈvaɪəl /

noun

1. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of viol¹

1475–85; < Middle French viole (akin to Old French viel ( l ) e > earlier English viele ) < Old Provençal viola, derivative of violar to play the viola ¹ (perhaps imitative)

Word History and Origins

Origin of viol¹

C15: from Old French viole, from Old Provençal viola; see _viola ¹

Example Sentences

But this sweet and yearning six-minute pavan, written for an ensemble of viols, and the title track on the gorgeous new recording of the Ricercar Consort, bridges centuries.

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MacMillan — like Byrd, a committed Catholic — recently wrote “Ye Sacred Muses” for the King’s Singers and Fretwork, the viol consort.

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Enjoy concert pieces by Vivaldi, Handel and Telemann and dance music from the court of King Louis XIV, featuring the baroque cello, viol, theorbo and harpsichord.

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“I just feel like viol — I feel taken advantage of.”

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Setting sail in 1577, he pushed across the Atlantic to Brazil, bellowing psalms into the wind and dining to airs played on viols.

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