Definition of "baryton" [baryton]

• A bowed string instrument of the 18th century, similar to the bass viol, but having sympathetic strings on the rear of the fingerboard. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The French seem to have a lock on this type of baritone, sometimes called a baryton Martin, named after Jean-Blaise Martin, who exemplified this lighter, flexible style in the early decades of the 19th century."
• "Miklos was also pretty cool on the baryton a kind of cello."
• "As the Prince prided himself on his playing, Haydn was required to produce endless pieces for the instrument, and he was even at considerable pains to acquire a knowledge of the baryton itself, thinking thereby to afford his master pleasure."