VIOLA (2)

Vi″o‐la (?), n. [[It. See Viol.]] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. ‖Viola da braccio [], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto. — ‖Viola da gamba [], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. — ‖Viola da spalla [], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. — ‖Viola di amore [[It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour]], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.