Violin

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ËŒvaɪəˈlɪn/
• Rhymes: -ɪn

Origin

From Italian violino, diminutive form of viola with diminutive suffix -ino

Full definition of violin

Noun

1. (musical instruments) A musical four-string instrument, generally played with a bow or by plucking the string. Pitch is set by pressing the strings at the appropriate place with the fingers.
• Wodehouse Offing|XX|She was looking more like Sherlock Holmes than ever. Slap a dressing-gown on her and give her a violin, and she could have walked straight into Baker Street and no questions asked.
2. (music) A violinist.The first violin often plays the lead melody lines in a string quartet.

Synonyms

• fiddle

Related terms

• first violin
• second violin
• viol
• viola
• violinist
• violoncello