English Explanatory Dictionary

violin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin and played with a bow.
  2. Any instrument of the violin family, always inclusive of violins, violas and cellos, and sometimes further including the double bass.
  3. A violinist in an orchestra or group.
verb
  1. To play on, or as if on, a violin.

Pronunciation

/ˌvaɪ.əˈlɪn/ en-us-violin.ogg /ˈʋaɪᵊ.lɪn/ /ˌvaɪ.oʊˈlin/ [ˌwaʊˈlin]

Word forms

violin violins violining violined

Etymology

Etymology tree Medieval Latin *vitulader. Old Occitan violabor.? Italian viola Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Italic *-īnos Latin -īnus Italian -ino Italian violinoder. English violin Derived from Italian violino (“little viola”), from viola + -ino (forming dimunitives).

Synonyms

fiddle crowd

Related words

viol violoncello viola bass viol cello double bass

Derived words

bass violin Chinese violin electric violin false violin spider first violin horn violin horn-violin kit violin kit-violin nail violin piano-violin play someone like a violin second violin Stroh violin violinist violin maker violin plot violin spider world's smallest violin world's tiniest violin
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