Hypertext Webster Gateway: "viol"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Viol
Heb. nebel (Isa. 5:12, R.V., "lute;" 14:11), a musical
instrument, usually rendered "psaltery" (q.v.)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Viol \Vi"ol\, n. [F. viole; cf. Pr. viola, viula, Sp., Pg., &
It. viola, LL. vitula; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L.
vitulari to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful,
perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (vitulus; cf.
{Veal}). Cf. {Fiddle}, {Vielle}, 2d {Viola}, {Violin}.]
1. (Mus.) A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of
the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six
strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished
with frets for stopping the strings.
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings Of lute, or
viol still, more apt for mournful things. --Milton.
Note: The name is now applied as a general term to designate
instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass
viol, etc.
2. (Naut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.
[Written also {voyal}, and {voyal}.] --Totten.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Voyol \Voy"ol\, n. (Naut.)
(a) See {Viol}, 2.
(b) The block through which a messenger passes. [Written also
{viol}, and {voyal}.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
viol
n : any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded
the violin family
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