also: ビオール · ヴィオル · ビオル
noun
viol
A bowed string instrument of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, held vertically; distinct from the violin family.
from French viole
彼は古楽アンサンブルでヴィオールを演奏している。
He plays the viol in an early music ensemble.
ヴィオールはバロック時代に広く使われた擦弦楽器だ。
The viol is a bowed string instrument widely used in the Baroque period.
Violin is held horizontally under the chin, while the viol is held vertically between the legs or on the knees; viol has frets and a different bowing technique.
Cello is a modern bowed instrument held between the knees, but it belongs to the violin family and lacks frets; the viol is an earlier, distinct instrument.
Borrowed from French 'viole', referring to the Renaissance/Baroque viol family.