fiddle

ˈfɪd(ə)l

3 definitions

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#1·8h ago

A violin, a small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin, shoulder, chest or on the upper thigh and played with a bow (see also usage notes below).

, Layamon, Brut, Cotton Caligula A.IX, l. 3490:

Origin: From , from , from , from , of uncertain etymology. Some contest that the Germanic terms are borrowed variations of (see viola); others contest that the word has a separate origin within Germanic languages, and still others believe that the Late Latin term for the stringed instrument is a borrowing from Germanic as a change of Latin t to Germanic þ is highly improbable, yet Germanic þ to Latin t is well documented (see troop, trousers, Teobaldo, etc.). Cognate with (), (, veel), (, , , ). The change from to in modern English is regular; compare Bedlam, staddle, swaddle (in brothel, it was p. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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#2·8h ago

(usually, _, proscribed) Any of various other bowed stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family when played non-classically.

: ...Of harpe & of salteriun. of fiðele & of coriun...

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#3·8h ago

A violinist, or fiddler, in a band.

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