Cellist
/ˈtʃɛlɪst/noun
A person who plays the cello.
Did you know?The root behind *cello* ultimately traces back to Latin *cella*, meaning a “storeroom” or “small chamber,” the same family that gave English *cell* and *cellar*.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
cella
“a small room, chamber, or storeroom”
Late Latin / Romance
Romance
cella
“a small chamber; source of Italian musical terminology”
18th Century
Italian
violoncello
“literally “little large viola,” the smaller bass violin”
19th Century
English
cello
“shortened form of violoncello”
19th Century
English
cellist
“a player of the cello”