[It., f. viola VIOLA2.] The double-bass viol.
Also as the name of an organ-stop: see VIOLON 2.
1724. Short Explic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks., Violone, is a very large Bass Violin, or Double Bass.
1730. Treat. Harmony, 35. This Error is daily run into, by giving Divided Basses to be play’d on the Violone or Double Bass.
1824. Mechanic’s Mag., 31 July, 335. Having made a violin, a viola, and a violoncello, I have long since conceived the idea of making a violono [sic], or double bass also.
1865. J. Hullah, Transition Period Music, 118. Those Gothic abominations, the violin, the viola, the violoncello, and the violone.
1873. H. C. Banister, Music, 221. The Contra-basso, or Double-Bass (also termed Violone), is the largest of the stringed instruments.
