Violetta

Violetta [dim. of viola] (It.), 1. in the 16th c. a small viola, fiddle, equivalent of kleine Geige; 2. the viola, i.e., alto violin. In this sense the term was in use chiefly in the 18th c.; 3. in the 17th c. it also designated the soprano viola da gamba with 3, 4, or 6 strings; 4. organ stop, a viola da gamba stop in 2′ position; in the 18th c. also syn. of viola. Cf. violette.