pa-ga-nee'nee (1784-1840), an Italian violinist. A native of Genoa. Paganini is considered the most wonderful violinist of Italy or any country. Aside from real talent he developed ability to do astonishing feats in technique. For instance, he would remove all but the G string from his violin and render pieces too difficult for anybody else to play with all the strings. He exhibited in the cities of Italy, Austria, Germany, France, and Great Britain. Monarchs and courts loaded him with favors. He retired in wealth to a villa near Parma. Of his compositions the most noted is The Carnival of Venice. See VIOLIN; BULL, OLE.