n. A large stringed instrument of the violin family, but smaller than the double bass.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A stringed instrument of music; a bass viol of four strings, or a bass violin with long, large strings, giving sounds an octave lower than the viola, or tenor or alto violin.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. The modern form of the medieval viola da gamba.
n. In organ-building, a pedal stop of eight-feet tone, having metal pipes of narrow scale and a very string-like quality.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing
Word Usage
"My violoncello was the inspiration for the Man Ray derivation on my back."