vielle

noun

ˈvyel

plural vielles

1

: a bowed stringed instrument of the late Middle Ages: such as

a

: any of the early viols

b

: a medieval fiddle with a slightly incurving waist that was played upright or on the shoulder

called also medieval viol

2

: hurdy-gurdy sense 1

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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