n. [ F. viole; cf. Pr. viola, viula, Sp., Pg., & It. viola, LL. vitula; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L. vitulari to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful, perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (vitulus; cf. Veal). Cf. Fiddle, Vielle, 2d Viola, Violin. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful things. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass viol, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ It. See Viol. ] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. [ 1913 Webster ]
Viola da braccio [ It., viol for the arm ],
Viola da gamba [ It., viol for the leg ],
Viola da spalla [ It., viol for the shoulder ],
Viola di amore [ It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour ],
‖n. [ L., a violet. See Violet. ] (Bot.) A genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all kinds of violets. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. violabilis: cf. F. violable. See Violate. ] Capable of being violated, broken, or injured. --
a. [ L. violaceus, fr. viola a violet. ]
n. [ Violet + aniline. ] (Chem.) A dyestuff of the induline group, made from aniline, and used as a substitute for indigo in dyeing wool and silk a violet-blue or a gray-blue color. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See Violuric. ] (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous substance, produced as a yellow crystalline substance, and regarded as a complex derivative of barbituric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Chem.) A yellow crystalline glucoside obtained from the pansy (Viola tricolor), and decomposing into glucose and quercitrin. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Violescent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
His wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his daughters with rape. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Violated vows
'Twixt the souls of friend and friend. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Oft have they violated
The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]