viol

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French viole, from Old French viol, from Old Occitan viola (modern Occitan viula), from Medieval Latin vitula (“stringed instrument”). Doublet of viola.

noun

  1. (music) A stringed instrument 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 hold
  2. (nautical) A large rope used to manipulate the anchor

verb

  1. To play the viol.
    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 […] 1914, Thomas Hardy, Seen by the Waits

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