viola da braccio

[ vee-oh-luh duh brah-choh ]

noun

, plural viola da braccios.

1. an old musical instrument of the viol family, held against the shoulder like a violin: superseded by the modern viola.

viola da braccio

/ vɪˈəʊlə də ˈbrætʃɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an old name for viola 1
2. a type of viol held on the shoulder, from which the modern viola was developed

Word History and Origins

Origin of viola da braccio¹

< Italian: literally, viola for the arm

Word History and Origins

Origin of viola da braccio¹

from Italian, literally: viol for the arm