Vi'ō-lā, n.

n. [See supra.] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but somewhat larger, and a fifth lower in compass.

Viola di amore. [It., viol of love; Fr. viol d'amour.] (Mus.) A viol, larger than the violin, with six brass or steel wires, yielding a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.—Viola di braccia. [It., viol of the arm.] The counter-tenor viol; an instrument resembling the viola;—so called because held upon the arm, to distinguish it from the viola di gamba.—Viola di gamba. [It., viol of the leg.] An instrument resembling the violin, but larger, and held between the legs. It is now rarely used.—Viola di spalla. [It., viol of the shoulder.] An instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola di gamba.