English

Noun

viellist ‎(plural viellists)

1. A musician who plays the vielle.

Usage notes

There are two instruments called the vielle in both French and English. One has no other common English name; the other is mainly known as a hurdy-gurdy. In English, a viellist may play either one, but the hurdy-gurdy is much more common. Due to the instrument's close association with France, a French player of the hurdy-gurdy -- or a non-French player who is performing French music -- is more likely to be called a viellist, while other players are more likely to be called hurdy-gurdyists.