violin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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.

   When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like this, it's a violin.

2. 2
   noun

   Any instrument of the violin family, always inclusive of violins, violas and cellos, and sometimes further including the double bass.

   The string quartet, one of the most popular groupings in chamber music, is composed entirely of violins: two violins proper, one viola, and one cello.

3. 3
   noun

   A violinist in an orchestra or group.

   The violins are seated with sufficient elbow room.

4. 4
   noun

   bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family

5. 5
   verb

   To play on, or as if on, a violin.

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).