[vi.o.lin] n [It violino, dim. of viola] (1579): a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than
4. 1/2 octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge -- vi.o.lin.ist n -- vi.o.lin.ist.ic adj