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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [It. See {Viol}.] (Mus.)
An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but
larger, and a fifth lower in compass.
[1913 Webster]

{Viola da braccio} [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol,
or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is
written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the
{alto}.

{Viola da gamba} [It., viol for the leg], an instrument
resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the
knees. It is now rarely used.

{Viola da spalla} [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument
formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in
size between the viola and the viola da gamba.

{Viola di amore} [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a
viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon,
and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These,
sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a
peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
[1913 Webster]


Alto \Al"to\, n.; pl. {Altos}. [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf.
{Alt}.]
1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or
counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest
female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and
soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.
[1913 Webster]

2. An alto singer.
[1913 Webster]

{Alto clef} (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef,
placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of
the staff. --Moore.
[1913 Webster]


high-pitched \high-pitched\ adj.
1. high in pitch or frequency; -- used of sounds and voices.
Opposite of {low}. [Narrower terms: {adenoidal, pinched,
nasal}; {altissimo}; {alto}; {countertenor, alto};
{falsetto}; {peaky, spiky}; {piping}; {shrill, sharp};
{screaky, screechy, squeaking, squeaky, squealing};
{soprano, treble}; {sopranino}; {tenor}]

Syn: high.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. set at a sharp or high angle or slant; as, a high-pitched
roof.

Syn: steeply pitched, steep.
[WordNet 1.5] high-power