cello

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A large wooden string instrument played with a bow while seated.

   She has played the cello in the orchestra for ten years.

Clipping of violoncello, the original name, from Italian violoncello (“little violone”), from violone (“an early form of the double bass”) + -cello (“-elle”, forming diminutives), violone (“big viola”) itself being derived from viola + -one (“-oon”, forming augmentatives).

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