Viola
Viola , noun
[Latin, a violet. See Violet.]
(Botany) A genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all kinds of violets.
Viola , noun
[Italian See Viol.]
(Music) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass.
Collocations (4)
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.