[vee-uh-luh
n-chel-oh, vahy-] 
[chel-oh] | the second largest member of the violin family, rested vertically on the floor between the performer's knees when being played. |
| vi·o·lon·cel·lo (vē'ə-lən-chěl'ō, vī'ə-) n. pl. vi·o·lon·cel·los A cello. [Italian, diminutive of violone, violone; see violone.] vi'o·lon·cel'list n. |
An instrument in the violin family, known for its rich tone. Among the strings, or stringed instruments, the cello has the second-lowest range, higher only than the bass viol, and it has the lowest part in string quartets. Cellists hold the instrument between their knees to play it. Cello is short for violoncello.
