“viols” is a form of
viol
/ˈvaɪ.əl/ noun, verb
Forms viols violing violling violed violled
- noun (music) A stringed instrument related to the violin family, but held in the lap between the legs like a cello, usually with C-holes, a flat back, a fretted neck and six strings, played with an underhanded bow hold.
- noun (nautical) A large rope used to manipulate the anchor
- verb To play the viol.
Synonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French viole, from Old French viol, from Old Occitan viola (modern Occitan viula), from Medieval Latin vitula (“stringed instrument”). Doublet of viola.
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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.
- noun A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor. [Written also voyal, and voyal.] Totten.
Etymology [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.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “viol”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details