Search Result for "viol": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family;


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Viol \Vi"ol\, n. [F. viole; cf. Pr. viola, viula, Sp., Pg., & It. viola, LL. vitula; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L. vitulari to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful, perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (vitulus; cf. Veal). Cf. Fiddle, Vielle, 2d Viola, Violin.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Mus.) A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished with frets for stopping the strings. [1913 Webster] Me softer airs befit, and softer strings Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful things. --Milton. [1913 Webster] Note: The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass viol, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor. [Written also voyal, and voyal.] --Totten. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Voyol \Voy"ol\, n. (Naut.) (a) See Viol, 2. (b) The block through which a messenger passes. [Written also viol, and voyal.] [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

viol n 1: any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

18 Moby Thesaurus words for "viol": baritone, bass viol, descant viol, rebec, tenor viol, treble viol, tromba marina, trumpet marine, vielle, viol family, viola bastarda, viola da braccio, viola da gamba, viola da spalla, viola di bordone, viola di fagotto, viola pomposa, violette
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Viol Heb. nebel (Isa. 5:12, R.V., "lute;" 14:11), a musical instrument, usually rendered "psaltery" (q.v.)