n. 1 a an instrument of the violin family, larger than the violin and of lower pitch. b a viola-player. 2 a viol. viola da braccio a viol corresponding to the modern viola. viola da gamba a viol held between the player's legs, esp. one corresponding to the modern cello. viola d'amore a sweet-toned tenor viol.
[ It. & Sp., prob. f. Prov.: see VIOL ]