Viol

5 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Viol \Vi"ol\, n. [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}.]
     [1913 Webster]


     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
              Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful
              things.                               --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The name is now applied as a general term to designate
           instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass
           viol, etc.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Naut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.
        [Written also {voyal}, and {voyal}.] --Totten.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Voyol \Voy"ol\, n. (Naut.)
     (a) See {Viol}, 2.
     (b) The block through which a messenger passes. [Written also
         {viol}, and {voyal}.]
         [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  viol
       n : any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded
           the violin family

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  18 Moby Thesaurus words for "viol":
     baritone, bass viol, descant viol, rebec, tenor viol, treble viol,
     tromba marina, trumpet marine, vielle, viol family, viola bastarda,
     viola da braccio, viola da gamba, viola da spalla,
     viola di bordone, viola di fagotto, viola pomposa, violette
  
  

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Viol
     Heb. nebel (Isa. 5:12, R.V., "lute;" 14:11), a musical
     instrument, usually rendered "psaltery" (q.v.)