1. viol - Noun
2. viol - Verb
A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished with frets for stopping the strings.
A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.
Source: Webster's dictionarySusanna's music touched the bawdy strings Of those white elders; but, escaping, Left only Death's ironic scraping. Now, in its immortality, it plays On the clear viol of her memory, And makes a constant sacrament of praise. Wallace Stevens
Sound, jocund strains; on pipe and viol sound, Young voices sing; Wreathe every door with snow-white voices round, For lo! 't is Spring! Winter has passed with its sad funeral train, And Love revives again. Lewis Morris (poet)
According to viol historian Ian Woodfield, there is little evidence that the vihuela de arco was introduced to Italy before the 1490s. Source: Internet
Although the baryton doesn't have viola in its name it is sometimes included, wrongly, in the viol family. Source: Internet
Besides consort playing the bass could also be used as a solo instrument (there were also smaller basses designed especially for a virtuosic solo role, see above division viol, lyra viol, viola bastarda). Source: Internet
Currently, the term "viola da gamba" without qualification generally refers to the bass viol. Source: Internet