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viola1 definition

vi·ola (vē ō′lə, vī-)

noun

a stringed instrument of the violin family, slightly larger than a violin and tuned a fifth lower

Etymology: It < OProv viula, viol

viola2 definition

vi·ola (vī′ə lə, vī ō′lə)

noun

a violet; esp., any of various violets developed from a pansy (Viola cornuta), grown as garden plants

Etymology: ME < L, a violet, prob. of non-IE orig.

Viola definition

Vi·ola (vī ō′lə, vē-; vī′ə lə)

noun

a feminine name: dim. Vi

Etymology: < L viola, a violet

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

viola Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • play: He plays a viola made by Homer Clark in 1982.

Converse of subject

  • play: Sir James, the father, is played by solo viola.

Adjective modifier

  • principal: I have been principal viola in the Sinfonia of Birmingham for some years.

Modifies a noun

  • gamba: A bass viola da gamba, the precursor to the cello, which dates from around 1680, is also up for grabs.

Noun used with modifier

  • solo: Sir James, the father, is played by solo viola.

Preposition: in

  • orchestra: In 1859 he began to earn a living playing the viola in an orchestra.
viola usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"viola." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/viola>

APA Style

viola. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/viola

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