Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stringed musical instrument: A viol is any instrument belonging to a family of bowed, stringed instruments that were prominent in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, preceding the modern violin family. Viols typically have frets, a flat back, sloping shoulders, and six strings tuned in fourths with a third in the middle.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The consort performed a piece by William Byrd using a treble viol, a tenor viol, and a bass viol.
  • She specializes in playing the viola da gamba, a type of bass viol held between the legs.

Advanced Usage

• "Viol consort": A small ensemble of musicians playing different sizes of viols.
  • The viol consort's performance provided an authentic sound of the Elizabethan era.
• "Viol family": The group of instruments that includes the pardessus, treble, alto, tenor, bass, and violone (contrabass viol).
  • The viol family was gradually superseded by the louder violin family in the 18th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Violist (n): A person who plays the viol.
  • The violist demonstrated the delicate technique required for the instrument.
• Viola da gamba (n): The Italian term for a bass viol, literally "viol of the leg."
  • The viola da gamba has a warm, reedy tone distinct from the cello.

Synonyms

• Viola da gamba: (Specifically for the bass viol)
• Gamba: (Informal shortening of "viola da gamba")

Related Phrases

(Note: As "viol" is a specific noun for a historical instrument, it does not commonly form phrasal verbs or modern idioms. Its usage is primarily technical and historical.)

Noun

1. any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family