bass-viol
(beɪsˈvaɪəl)
[see bass a. 3 b and viol.]
A stringed instrument for playing the bass part in concerted music; a violoncello.
| 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. iv. iii. 23 Went like a Base-Viole in a case of leather. 1638 J. Kirke Sev. Champions iii. i, The resined stick of a base viol. 1709 Addison Tatler No. 153 ¶7 Your Bass-Viol, which grumbles in the Bottom of the Consort. 1861 Hughes Tom Brown Oxf. II. ii. 29 Carrying a great bass-viol bigger than himself. |