cello¹

[chel-oh] /ˈtʃɛl oʊ/

noun, plural cellos.

the second largest member of the violin family, rested vertically on the floor between the performer's knees when being played.

Also called violoncello.

Origin

1875-80; short for violoncello

cello²

[sel-oh] /ˈsɛl oʊ/

noun, adjective, Informal.

cellophane.

Origin

by shortening

Examples from the web for cello

With arrangements for cello and squeezebox, his music is beautiful and haunting.
Then it thins out again, tapering down to one last pluck of the cello.
Concert-goers will hear professionals play the piano, cello and violin during the shows.
It also blends well with the use of my other favorite instrument, the cello.
The combination for a trio is usually cello, piano and violin.
The work is scored for piano and cello accompaniment.
A traditional cello has a spruce top, with maple for the back, sides, and neck.

British Dictionary definitions for cello

cello

/ˈtʃɛləʊ/

noun (pl) -los

(music) a bowed stringed instrument of the violin family. Range: more than four octaves upwards from C below the bass staff. It has four strings, is held between the knees, and has an extendible metal spike at the lower end, which acts as a support Full name violoncello

Derived Forms

cellist, noun

Word Origin and History for cello

1857, shortening of violoncello (q.v.).

cello in Culture

cello [(chel-oh)]

An instrument in the violin family, known for its rich tone. Among the strings, or stringed instruments, the cello has the second-lowest range, higher only than the bass viol, and it has the lowest part in string quartets. Cellists hold the instrument between their knees to play it. Cello is short for violoncello.

cello in Technology

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