violoncello

noun

vi·​o·​lon·​cel·​lo ˌvī-ə-lən-ˈche-(ˌ)lō 

ˌvē-

: cello

violoncellist

ˌvī-ə-lən-ˈche-list 

ˌvē-

noun

Examples of violoncello in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with Lebedinsky, the group includes Kati Kyme on viola, William Skeen on violoncello and viola da gamba, Kevin Cooper on the lute-like theorbo, and violinists Aaron Westman and Anna Washburn. —Beth Woodcontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, from violone "bass viol" (augmentative of viola "viola, viol") + -cello, diminutive suffix (variant of -ello after nouns ending in -one), going back to Latin -cellus, diminutive of -culus, diminutive suffix

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

violoncello

noun

vi·​o·​lon·​cel·​lo ˌvī-ə-lən-ˈchel-ō 

ˌvē-

: cello