In Germany we have an instrument called a Fiedel (I think it derives its name from the same source as fiddle) which is more like a viola da gamba, i.e. it is placed between your feet (like a violoncello, but it has no "foot").
A violin (derived from italian violina) is called Geige in German

Please, all Italians excuse my bad italian, but I learned the following things:
violina in Italian means small viola,
viola da braccia (spelling) is the bigger version.
braccia meaning arm,
gamba means leg
violona (as in violon-cello) means big viola
cello means ??? (I don't know)

I hope I did not confuse you completely
MudGuard