Defn: An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. Viola da braccio Etym: [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto. — Viola da gamba Etym: [It., viol for the leg], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. — Viola da spalla Etym: [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. — Viola di amore Etym: [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
VIOLABLE
Vi"o*la*ble, a. Etym: [L. violabilis: cf. F. violable. See Violate.]
Defn: Capable of being violated, broken, or injured.
— Vi"o*la*bly, adv.
VIOLACEOUS
Vi`o*la"ceous, a. Etym: [L. violaceus, fr. viola a violet.]
1. Resembling violets in color; bluish purple.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants, of which the violet is the type. It contains about twenty genera and two hundred and fifty species.
VIOLANILINE
Vi`o*lan"i*line, n. Etym: [Violet + aniline.] (Chem.)
Defn: A dyestuff of the induline group, made from aniline, and used as a substitute for indigo in dyeing wool and silk a violet-blue or a gray-blue color.
VIOLANTIN
Vi`o*lan"tin, n. Etym: [See Violuric.] (Chem.)