an instrument of the viol family having no frets, seven strings, and a set of sympathetic strings. It was held under the chin when played
Word origin
C18: from Italian, literally: viol of love
viola d'amore in American English
(viˈoʊlədɑˈmɔreɪ)
an early stringed instrument of the viol family having a set of wire strings that are stretched behind the bowed gut strings, and whose sympathetic vibrations produce soft, clear, ringing tones