violin

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A stringed instrument played with a bow, having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth, an unfretted fingerboard, and a shallower body than the viol and capable of great flexibility in range, tone, and dynamics.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The modern form of smaller medieval viola da braccio. The violin group of instruments is distinguished from the true viols especially by having the back slightly arched like the bel-ly, and by the number and tuning of the strings. It is probable that the change from the viol model was first made in the tenor viol, or viola, and thence transferred to the smaller size, or violino. The true violin, both large and small, began to be made about the middle of the sixteenth century, particularly in the North Italian towns of Cremona and Brescia. The greatest refinement of shape and construction was attained about 1700 by Stradivari, and has never since been surpassed. In its most approved form, the violin is further distinguished from the viol by a comparative thinness between belly and back, by sides or ribs of a peculiar shape, by bouts (indentations in the sides to facilitate the use of the bow) between double corners, by a finely adjusted correlation of position between the bridge, the sound-post, and the f-shaped sound-holes, by the complete independence of the neck from the body, by a peg-box with transverse pegs, and by a daintily carved scroll for a head. Four strings are used, tuned thus: E, A, D, and G (next below middle C), of which the lowest is wound with silver wire, while the others are of gut. The first string is often called the chanterelle. In the construction of the instrument maple and pine, very carefully selected, are the chief components. The minutest details of wood, model, jointing, varnish, etc., are important, so that a really fine instrument is an elaborate work of art. The bow by which the violin is sounded has also been gradually refined in shape, so as to present the utmost strength, elasticity, and lightness (see bow, 3 ). In actual use the violin is held nearly horizontally by the player's extended left arm, the lower part of the body being supported on his left collar-bone. The first position of his left hand is so close to the nut that the pressure of the first finger on any one of the strings will raise its pitch a half-step, that of the second finger will raise it a whole step, etc. The second position, or half shift, is one in which the first finger falls where the second did in the first position. The third position, or whole shift, is one in which the first finger falls where the second did in the second position. (See position, 4, and shift, 2.) Eleven different positions are recognized, so that the compass of the instrument, which in the first position extends only to two octaves and a major third, reaches by means of other positions to nearly four octaves. Harmonics are producibleby lightly touching a string at one of its nodes, so that the available compass is still longer. The tone of the violin is more capable of expression than that of any other instrument: hence it holds the leading position in the modern orchestra, the central section of which is made up of the first and second violins, the violas, and the violoncellos, all of which are essentially violins in model. It is also a favorite instrument for solos, both with and without accompaniment. While the pitch of the tones used is determined by the stopping of the strings with the left hand, their force and quality—that is, their expressiveness—depends on the method of bowing. To a certain extent, two or even three strings may be sounded together, so as to produce harmonic effects: such playing is called doublestopping. Pizzicato tones are produced by plucking the strings with the finger, after the manner of the guitar. A peculiar veiled tone is obtained by attaching a weight called a mute or sordino to the bridge so as to check its vibrations. The violin is often colloquially called a fiddle.
2. n. A player on the violin; a violinist: as, the first violin of an orchestra.
3. n. An emetic substance contained in all parts of the sweet-scented violet, Viola odorata. It has not been obtained pure, and is perhaps identical with emetin from ipecacuanha.

Wiktionary

1. n. music A musical four-string instrument, generally played with a bow or by plucking the string. Pitch is set by pressing the strings at the appropriate place with the fingers.
2. n. music A violinist.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Mus.) A small instrument with four strings, played with a bow; a fiddle.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow