violin

/ˈvaɪəˌlɪn/

/vaɪəˈlɪn/

Other forms: violins

Violin is the formal word for a fiddle — a stringed instrument that's held to a player's neck and played with a bow. Nearly every string quartet includes at least one violin.

The word violin comes from viola, from the Italian viola da braccio, which was a popular medieval instrument. The earliest violins had only three strings, while modern instruments have four. Starting around the 16th century, the violin became a very popular instrument, particularly among nobles. Most violins are built from maple wood, and their strings are made of dried animal gut or steel and are sometimes plated with silver.

Definitions of violin

1. noun

   bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
   synonyms: fiddle

   types:

   Amati

   a violin made by Nicolo Amati or a member of his family

   Guarnerius

   a violin made by a member of the Guarneri family

   Strad, Stradavarius

   a violin made by Antonio Stradivari or a member of his family

   type of:

   bowed stringed instrument, string

   stringed instruments that are played with a bow