What does vielle mean?
Vielle is a historical word for a medieval stringed instrument, most commonly identified with the hurdy-gurdy, whose player turned a crank to rotate a wheel that rubbed against the strings. It can also refer more generally to an old bowed string instrument, particularly in accounts of troubadour and medieval music. In present-day English, vielle is mostly a literary or specialist term rather than a name for a familiar instrument. Its associations with courtly performance, itinerant musicians, and the Middle Ages give it a distinctly antique and cultural resonance. The word is sometimes confused with viol, another bowed string instrument from a later period, or with vial, a small container. For readers encountering it in older writing, vielle is best understood as a medieval precursor or relative of later European string instruments.
nounA medieval stringed instrument, especially a hurdy-gurdy or a related instrument played with a bow. In modern English, the word is chiefly literary or historical.
- A medieval stringed instrument, particularly a hurdy-gurdy or a related instrument played by turning a crank.
- An archaic name for a bowed string instrument, especially in descriptions of medieval and troubadour music.
"The troubadour accompanied his song on a vielle."
"The medieval vielle became the subject of a celebrated poem by Richard the Lionheart."
"A musician demonstrated the vielle at the historical music festival."
The plural is formed by adding -s; the word is most often encountered in historical or literary contexts.
"The museum collection includes several vielles from the medieval period."
Before the modern violin, the vielle helped give medieval musicians a mechanically bowed string instrument to carry their music.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vielle
The English word entered through Old French vielle and Medieval Latin vidella, ultimately associated with Latin vitula, an ancient name for a stringed instrument. The medieval instrument name developed in a tradition that also produced related forms such as viol, viola, and violin. These words belong to the same broad historical family of European bowed and plucked string instruments.
How vielle is actually used
The word is now chiefly literary, historical, or specialist. It is not normally used for a modern violin, and its modern English uses often carry a medieval or troubadour association.
Easily confused with vielle
A vielle is a historical musical instrument, whereas a vial is a small container, usually made of glass.
A vielle is generally associated with medieval instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy, while a viol is a Renaissance-era bowed string instrument played with a bow.