Cello Is the Short Form of a Very Long Name
A cello is a large bowed string instrument. Its full name, violoncello, means a little large viola, and it contradicts itself.
A cello is the large bowed string instrument played sitting down, held between the knees. Its full name is *violoncello*, and the parts fight each other: *violone* means a big viol, and the *-cello* ending makes it small, so the word literally means a little big viol. English kept only the ending, so the everyday name is the diminutive of a diminutive. The spelling with an apostrophe, *'cello*, was once standard and marked the missing syllables.
- A bowed string instrument. *She plays the cello.*
- Violoncello — the full name. *A violoncello concerto.*
- Cellist — the player. *A young cellist.*
- Endpin — the spike it rests on. *Adjust the endpin.*
- Double bass — the larger relative. *Cello and double bass.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | cello | A fine cello. |
| Plural | cellos | Four cellos. |
| Agent | cellist | A cellist. |
| Full form | violoncello | The formal name. |
| Italian | violone | A large viol. |
- The cello carries the melody here.Music.
- He has played the cello since he was six.Learning.
- Violoncello means a little large viol.Etymology.
The string family by size
- Violin — highest, held under the chin
- Viola — slightly larger, lower, same hold
- Cello — held between the knees, resting on an endpin
- Double bass — largest, played standing or on a high stool
- All four are bowed and have four strings
Italian *violoncello*, a diminutive of *violone*, a large viol, which is itself an augmentative of *viola*. English shortened it in the 1800s.
Why was cello once written 'cello?
The apostrophe marked the dropped syllables of violoncello. It was standard in the nineteenth century and is now rare.
How is the cello different from a double bass?
The cello is smaller, higher pitched and played seated. The double bass is larger and usually played standing.