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viola

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noun vi·o·la \ vī-ˈō-lə , vē- ; ˈvī-ə- \
Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

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 and Etymology of viola

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "violet" — more at violet

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

2

viola

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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
—

violist

play \-list\ noun

Origin and Etymology of viola

borrowed from Italian, "viola, viol," borrowed from Old Occitan viola, viula "viol" — more at viol

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

VIOLA Defined for Kids

1

viola

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noun vi·o·la \ vī-ˈō-lə , vē- \

Definition of viola for Students

:a garden plant that looks like but is smaller than a pansy
2

viola

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noun vi·o·la \ vē-ˈō-lə \

Definition of viola for Students

:a stringed musical instrument like a violin but slightly larger and lower in pitch

Learn More about viola

  1. See words that rhyme with viola Spanish Central: Translation of viola Nglish: Translation of viola for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about viola

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