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viol

[vahy-uhl]

Origin

noun

a bowed musical instrument, differing from the violin in having deeper ribs, sloping shoulders, a greater number of strings, usually six, and frets: common in the 16th and 17th centuries in various sizes from the treble viol to the bass viol.

Origin:
1475–85; < Middle French viole (akin to Old French viel(l)e > earlier English viele) < Old Provençal viola, derivative of violar to play the viola¹ (perhaps imitative)

Can be confused: vial, vile, viol.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Viol is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

viol (ˈvaɪəl)

—n
	any of a family of stringed musical instruments that preceded the violin family, consisting of a fretted fingerboard, a body rather like that of a violin but having a flat back and six strings, played with a curved bow. They are held between the knees when played and have a quiet yet penetrating tone; they were much played, esp in consorts, in the 16th and 17th centuries

[C15: from Old French viole, from Old Provençal viola; see viola¹]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

viol

musical instrument, late 15c., viel, from M.Fr. viole, from O.Fr., from O.Prov. viola (see viola).

Easton

Bible Dictionary