1. (n.) A stringed musical instrument of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six strings\, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished with frets for stopping the strings.

2. (n.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.

baritone bass viol descant viol rebec tenor viol treble viol tromba marina trumpet marine vielle viol family viola bastarda viola da braccio viola da gamba viola da spalla viola di bordone viola di fagotto viola pomposa violette