[F. vielle, OF. viele, of doubtful origin.] A musical instrument with four strings played by means of a small wheel; a hurdy-gurdy. Also Comb.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Grace. The old man had … been no mean performer upon the vielle.
1782. Ann. Reg., II. 11. Few songs, guittars, vielles, or organs enliven the evenings.
1807. [see HURDY-GURDY 1].
1880. Shorthouse, J. Inglesant, II. ii. He played upon a small and curiously shaped instrument called a vielle,… with four strings, and a kind of small wheel instead of a bow.
1905. Edin. Rev., July, 129. The vielle-player’s story, and the Papal election, and much of the talk about music and the drama!
