Meaning
A large unfretted stringed instrument of the violin family with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) C-G-D-A and an endpin to support its weight, usually played with a bow.
Etymology
Origin: Italian
Clipping of violoncello, the original name, from Italian violoncello (“little violone”), from violone (“an early form of the double bass”) + -cello (“-elle”, forming diminutives), violone (“big viola”) itself being derived from viola + -one (“-oon”, forming augmentatives).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
violoncelloamatibassbassoonbowbridgecremonastradstradivaristradivarius
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 23 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-16CBDELOU
- 2026-01-21OAWNELC
- 2026-01-14OPALCBE
- 2025-10-18OCEHLNU
- 2025-09-16CENUOFL
- 2025-07-26LCOEDNW
- 2025-06-02OCMEILP
- 2025-03-27CDPUOEL
- 2025-02-14EXCOLIN
- 2025-01-07CWLEKOD
- 2024-10-19ECULONH
- 2024-05-01CDOLENU
+11 earlier appearances in the archive.