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viola

noun vi·o·la \ vī-ˈō-lə , vē- ; ˈvī-ə- \
Updated on: 28 Feb 2018
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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

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

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

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

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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