Vielle
/viˈjɛl/noun
A medieval bowed string instrument, especially one used in Old French and early European music.
Did you know?The vielle is historically connected to the same Romance word family that produced the modern French violon, and its name ultimately traces back to Latin words for bowed string instruments rather than any occult meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Latin (Late Antiquity)
Latin
vitula
“A stringed instrument or possibly a type of musical performance/song”
Old French
Old French
viele / vielle
“A bowed string instrument”
Middle English
English
viell / vielle
“A medieval string instrument borrowed from French”
Modern English
English
vielle
“A historical bowed string instrument”