VIOL

[vi.ol] n [ME, fr. MF viole viol, viola, fr. OProv viola viol] (15c): a bowed stringed instrument chiefly of the 16th and 17th centuries made in treble, alto, tenor, and bass sizes and distinguished from members of the violin family esp. in having a deep body, a flat back, sloping shoulders, usu. six strings, a fretted fingerboard, and a low-arched bridge