cello

Where does the word "cello" come from? It comes from Italian violoncello, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

Cello’s story begins in Italian: violoncello meant “a small large-viol.” A small double bass, a diminutive of violone (large viol). It reached English by 1870s as cello. Shortened from violoncello as the English word for the large bowed instrument. Today, cello means a large bowed stringed instrument, played sitting down and held between the knees.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · 1600s violoncello "a small large-viol", a small double bass, a diminutive of violone (large viol).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s cello "a large bowed stringed instrument", shortened from violoncello as the English word for the large bowed instrument.