viol

plural viols

1. entertainmentA 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.

   Near-synonym: viola d'amore

   1 more example

   He sayd that yᵉ ground opened, and he was brought into strange places underground, where they used musicall Instruments, violls, and Lutes, such (he sayd) as Mr. Thomas did play on.

   1687, John Aubrey, Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme, page 30

   Synonyms: viola da gamba, gamba, gambo, viola d'amore

2. nauticalA large rope used to manipulate the anchor

present singular third person viols · US participle present violing · UK participle present violling · US participle past violed · US past violed · UK participle past violled · UK past violled

1. To play the viol.

   “Keep your gold for those who lack it, mistress,” said Henry, “and do not offer to honest hands the money that is won by violing, and tabouring, and toetripping, and perhaps worse pastimes.

   1828 May 15, [Walter Scott], Chronicles of the Canongate. Second Series. […] (The Fair Maid of Perth), volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC

   1 more example

   Through snowy woods and shady / We went to play a tune / To the lonely manor-lady / By the light of the Christmas moon. / We violed till, upward glancing / To where a mirror leaned, / It showed her airily dancing […]

   1914, Thomas Hardy, Seen by the Waits