from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Theorbo \The*or"bo\, n. [F. th['e]orbe, t['e]orbe, formerly
tuorbe, tiorbe, It. tiorba.] (Mus.)
An instrument made like large lute, but having two necks,
with two sets of pegs, the lower set holding the strings
governed by frets, while to the upper set were attached the
long bass strings used as open notes.
[1913 Webster]
Note: A larger form of theorbo was also called the
{archlute}, and was used chiefly, if not only, as an
accompaniment to the voice. Both have long fallen into
disuse.
[1913 Webster]