Also 6 violan, -and, 7 -ent, vyolon, phialon. [a. F. violon (16th c.) violin, or (in sense 2) It. violone bass-viol. Cf. Sp. violon violoncello.]
† 1. A violin. Also, a violinist. Obs.
α. 1552. Househ. Exp. Princess Eliz., 38. in Camd. Misc. (1853), II. Paid in rewarde unto sondrie persons at S. James, her grace then beyng there—… to the warderobe, xl.s.; the violans, xl.s.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., I. 39. Were it not,… I coulde finde in my hearte to commaunde the Violands to cease.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, IV. vi. 200. Hee beareth gules, three treble violents transposed argent stringed sable.
β. 1593. Drayton, Eclogues, iii. 113. Tune the Taber and the Pipe to the sweet violons.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, 139 b. He could not only turne, and make Virginals, Organes, Vyolons,… but also tune, and handsomely play vpon them.
1603. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 32. Gifin to a sat of phialonis when they played at my chamber dor, xi s.
1606. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. Tropheis, 436. In Argos the chaste Violon For’s absent Soveraign doth grave-sweetly grone.
2. A variety of organ-stop.
1852. Seidel, Organ, 108. Violon … is one of the finest and most common pedal-registers.
1876. Hiles, Catech. Organ, ix. (1878), 63. Violon or Violone, Double Bass. An open flue-stop; the tone is penetrating and fine, in imitation of the Double Bass.
