• IPA: /ˈvaɪ.əl/

viol (plural viols)

1. (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)

• French: viole de gambe
• German: Gambe, Viola da Gamba, Kniegeige
• Portuguese: viola da gamba
• Russian: вио́ла

viol (viols, present participle violing; past and past participle violed)

1. To play the viol.
   • 1828 May 14, [Walter Scott], Chronicles of the Canongate. Second Series. [...] In Three Volumes (The Fair Maid of Perth), volume (please specify ), Edinburgh: Printed [by Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, OCLC 17487293 ↗:

   • 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 […]