Viola /(?)/
Vi·o·la
Viola
n.
- A genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all kinds of violets. (Bot.)
Viola
n.
- An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. (Mus.)
Phrases & Compounds
- Viola da braccio
- the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto.
- Viola da gamba
- an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used.
- Viola da spalla
- an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba.
- Viola di amore
- a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.