English

Noun

'cello ‎(plural 'cellos or 'celli)

1. Abbreviation of violoncello.
   • 1858 March 13th, Dwight’s Journal of Music (compiled book publication), volume XII, page 396

     The Octet is a very brilliant composition for a double quartet, i. e. four violins, two violas, and two ‛celli, — a small symphony in fact.

   • 1930, The Musical Times, issue 71, page 126, column 2

     The composer appears to have envisaged players of varying degree of ability, and the first ‛cello gets the cream.