‖ vielle
(vɪˈɛl)
[F. vielle, OF. viele, of doubtful origin.]
A musical instrument with four strings played by means of a small wheel; a hurdy-gurdy. Also Comb.
| 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ., Grace, The old man had..been no mean performer upon the vielle. 1782 Ann. Reg. ii. 11 Few songs, guittars, vielles, or organs enliven the evenings. 1807 [see hurdy-gurdy 1]. 1880 Shorthouse J. Inglesant II. ii, He played upon a small and curiously shaped instrument called a vielle,..with four strings, and a kind of small wheel instead of a bow. 1905 Edin. Rev. July 129 The vielle-player's story, and the Papal election, and much of the talk about music and the drama! |