Vi`o*lin" (?), n. [It. violino, dim. of viola. See Viol.] (Mus.) A small instrument with four strings, played with a bow; a fiddle.

&fist; The violin is distinguished for the brilliancy and gayety, as well as the power and variety, of its tones, and in the orchestra it is the leading and most important instrument.

Vi`o*lin" (?), n. [It. violino, dim. of viola. See Viol.] (Mus.) A small instrument with four strings, played with a bow; a fiddle.

&fist; The violin is distinguished for the brilliancy and gayety, as well as the power and variety, of its tones, and in the orchestra it is the leading and most important instrument.

• A musical four-string instrument, generally played with a bow or by plucking the string. Pitch is set by pressing the strings at the appropriate place with the fingers.
        The first violin often plays the lead melody lines in a string quartet.