First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1viola
noun vi·o·la \vī-ˈō-lə, vē-; ˈvī-ə-\
Definition of VIOLA
: violet 1a; especially : any of various garden hybrids with solitary white, yellow, or purple often variegated flowers resembling but smaller than typical pansies
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Origin of VIOLA
Middle English, from Latin
2viola
noun vi·o·la \vē-ˈō-lə\
Definition of VIOLA
: a musical instrument of the violin family that is intermediate in size and compass between the violin and cello and is tuned a fifth below the violin
— vi·o·list \-list\ noun
Origin of VIOLA
Italian & Spanish, viol, viola, from Old Occitan, viol
First Known Use: circa 1724
VIOLIST Defined for Kids
1viola
noun vi·o·la \vī-ˈō-lə, vē-\
Definition of VIOLA for Kids
: a garden plant that looks like but is smaller than a pansy
2viola
noun vi·o·la \vē-ˈō-lə\
Definition of VIOLA for Kids
: a stringed musical instrument like a violin but slightly larger and lower in pitch
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