vi·o·la da gam·ba /viˌolədəˈgɑmbə, ˈgæm-/
 Vi·o·la n.  Mus. An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass.
 Viola da braccio , the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto. -- Viola da gamba , an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. -- Viola da spalla , an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. -- Viola di amore , a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
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 viola da gamba
      n : viol that is the bass member of the viol family with
          approximately the range of the cello [syn: bass viol]