viol
(noun) any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family
Source: WordNet® 3.1
viol (plural viols)
(musical instrument) 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.
• viola d'amore
• viola da gamba
• gamba (informal)
• stringed instrument
• Baryton trios
• chest of viols
• division viol
• lyra viol
• pardessus de viole
• triple contrabass viol
• viola bastarde
• violone
viol (third-person singular simple present viols, present participle violing, simple past and past participle violed)
To play the viol.
Source: Wiktionary
Vi"ol, n. Etym: [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.)
Definition: 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.
Note: The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass viol, etc.
2. (Naut.)
Definition: A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor. [Written also voyal, and voyal.] Totten.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
24 June 2025
(noun) very small (to 3 inches) flattened marine fish with a sucking disc on the abdomen for clinging to rocks etc.
Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.
