V \V\ (v[=e]).
1. V, the twenty-second letter of the English alphabet, is a
vocal consonant. V and U are only varieties of the same
character, U being the cursive form, while V is better
adapted for engraving, as in stone. The two letters were
formerly used indiscriminately, and till a comparatively
recent date words containing them were often classed
together in dictionaries and other books of reference (see
{U}). The letter V is from the Latin alphabet, where it
was used both as a consonant (about like English w) and as
a vowel. The Latin derives it from it from a form (V) of
the Greek vowel [Upsilon] (see {Y}), this Greek letter
being either from the same Semitic letter as the digamma F
(see {F}), or else added by the Greeks to the alphabet
which they took from the Semitic. Etymologically v is most
nearly related to u, w, f, b, p; as in vine, wine;
avoirdupois, habit, have; safe, save; trover, troubadour,
trope. See U, F, etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect]
265; also [sect][sect] 155, 169, 178-179, etc.
2. As a numeral, V stands for five, in English and Latin.
Vaagmer \Vaag"mer\, n. [Icel. v[=a]gmeri a kind of flounder,
literally, wave mare.] (Zo["o]l.)
The dealfish. [Written also {vaagm[ae]r}, and {vaagmar}.]
Vacancy \Va"can*cy\, n.; pl. {Vacancies}. [Cf. F. vacance.]
1. The quality or state of being vacant; emptiness; hence,
freedom from employment; intermission; leisure; idleness;
listlessness.
All dispositions to idleness or vacancy, even before
they are habits, are dangerous. --Sir H.
Wotton.
2. That which is vacant. Specifically:
(a) Empty space; vacuity; vacuum.
How is't with you, That you do bend your eye on
vacancy? --Shak.
(b) An open or unoccupied space between bodies or things;
an interruption of continuity; chasm; gap; as, a
vacancy between buildings; a vacancy between sentences
or thoughts.
(c) Unemployed time; interval of leisure; time of
intermission; vacation.
Time lost partly in too oft idle vacancies given
both to schools and universities. --Milton.
No interim, not a minute's vacancy. --Shak.
Those little vacancies from toil are sweet.
--Dryden.
(d) A place or post unfilled; an unoccupied office; as, a
vacancy in the senate, in a school, etc.
Vacant \Va"cant\, a. [F., fr. L. vacans, -antis, p. pr. of
vacare to be empty, to be free or unoccupied, to have
leisure, also vocare; akin to vacuus empty, and probably to
E. void. Cf. {Evacuate}, {Void}, a.]
1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant
room.
Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.
--Shak.
Being of those virtues vacant. --Shak.
There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has
one vacant chair. --Longfellow.
2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied;
disengaged; free; as, vacant hours.
Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of
those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs
of the world. --Dr. H. More.
There was not a minute of the day which he left
vacant. --Bp. Fell.
3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or
officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant parish.
Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use
and wearing. --Shak.
4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or
reflection; as, a vacant mind.
The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. --Sir H.
Wotton.
When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood.
--Wordsworth.
5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or
occupier; as, a vacant estate. --Bouvier.
{Vacant succession} (Law), one that is claimed by no person,
or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known
heirs to it have renounced it. --Burrill.
Syn: Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged;
unincumbered; uncrowded; idle.
Usage: {Vacant}, {Empty}. A thing is empty when there is
nothing in it; as, an empty room, or an empty noddle.
Vacant adds the idea of having been previously filled,
or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant
seat at table; a vacant office; vacant hours. When we
speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply the
absence of the intelligence naturally to be expected
there.
Vacantly \Va"cant*ly\, adv.
In a vacant manner; inanely.
Vacate \Va"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vacated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vacating}.] [L. vacare, vacatum, to be empty. See {Vacant}.]
1. To make vacant; to leave empty; to cease from filling or
occupying; as, it was resolved by Parliament that James
had vacated the throne of England; the tenant vacated the
house.
2. To annul; to make void; to deprive of force; to make of no
authority or validity; as, to vacate a commission or a
charter; to vacate proceedings in a cause.
That after act vacating the authority of the
precedent. --Eikon
Basilike.
The necessity of observing the Jewish Sabbath was
Vacated by the apostolical institution of the Lord's
Day. --R. Nelson.
3. To defeat; to put an end to. [R.]
He vacates my revenge. --Dryden.
Vacation \Va*ca"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from
a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See {Vacate}.]
1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the
vacation of an office or a charter.
2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office;
a period of intermission; rest; leisure.
It was not in his nature, however, at least till
years had chastened it, to take any vacation from
controversy. --Palfrey.
Hence, specifically:
(a) (Law) Intermission of judicial proceedings; the space
of time between the end of one term and the beginning
of the next; nonterm; recess. ``With lawyers in the
vacation.'' --Shak.
(b) The intermission of the regular studies and exercises
of an educational institution between terms; holidays;
as, the spring vacation.
(c) The time when an office is vacant; esp. (Eccl.), the
time when a see, or other spiritual dignity, is
vacant.
Vaccary \Vac"ca*ry\, n. [LL. vaccarium, from L. vacca cow. Cf.
{Vachery}.]
A cow house, dairy house, or cow pasture. [Obs. or Prov.
Eng.] --Wright.
Vaccina \Vac*ci"na\, n. [NL.] (Med.)
Vaccinia.
Vaccinal \Vac"ci*nal\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to vaccinia or vaccination.
Vaccinate \Vac"ci*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vaccinated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vaccinating}.] [See {Vaccine}.]
To inoculate with the cowpox by means of a virus, called
vaccine, taken either directly or indirectly from cows.
Vaccination \Vac`ci*na"tion\, n.
The act, art, or practice of vaccinating, or inoculating with
the cowpox, in order to prevent or mitigate an attack of
smallpox. Cf. {Inoculation}.
Note: In recent use, vaccination sometimes includes
inoculation with any virus as a preventive measure; as,
vaccination of cholera.
Vaccinator \Vac"ci*na`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, vaccinates.
Vaccine \Vac"cine\, a. [L. vaccinus, fr. vacca a cow; cf. Skr.
v[=a]c to bellow, to groan.]
Of or pertaining to cows; pertaining to, derived from, or
caused by, vaccinia; as, vaccine virus; the vaccine disease.
-- n. The virus of vaccinia used in vaccination.
Vaccinia \Vac*cin"i*a\, n. [NL. See {Vaccine}.] (Med.)
Cowpox; vaccina. See {Cowpox}.
Vaccinist \Vac"ci*nist\, n.
A vaccinator.
Vaccinium \Vac*cin"i*um\, n. [L., the blueberry, or
whortleberry.] (Bot.)
A genus of ericaceous shrubs including the various kinds of
blueberries and the true cranberries.
Vacher \Va`cher"\, n. [F., from vache a cow. Cf. {Vaquero}.]
A keeper of stock or cattle; a herdsman. [Southwestern U. S.]
--Bartlett.
Vachery \Vach"er*y\, n. [F. vacherie, from vache a cow, L.
vacca. Cf. {Vaccary}.]
1. An inclosure for cows.
2. A dairy. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Prompt. Parv.
Vacillancy \Vac"il*lan*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being vacillant, or wavering. [R.]
--Dr. H. More.
Vacillant \Vac"il*lant\, a. [L. vacillans, p. pr. of vacillare:
cf. F. vacillant. See {Vacillate}.]
Vacillating; wavering; fluctuating; irresolute.
Vacillate \Vac"il*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vacillated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vacillating}.] [L. vacillare, vacillatum; cf.
Skr. va[~n]c.]
1. To move one way and the other; to reel or stagger; to
waver.
[A spheroid] is always liable to shift and
vacillatefrom one axis to another. --Paley.
2. To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or
inconstant; to waver.
Syn: See {Fluctuate}.
Vacillating \Vac"il*la`ting\, a.
Inclined to fluctuate; wavering. --Tennyson. --
{Vac"il*la`ting*ly}, adv.
Vacillation \Vac`il*la"tion\, n. [L. vacillatio: cf. F.
vacillation.]
1. The act of vacillating; a moving one way and the other; a
wavering.
His vacillations, or an alternation of knowledge and
doubt. --Jer. Taylor.
Vacillatory \Vac"il*la*to*ry\, a.
Inclined to vacillate; wavering; irresolute. --Hawthorne.
Vacuate \Vac"u*ate\, v. t. [L. vacuatus, p. p. of vacuare to
empty, from vacuus empty. See {Vacant}.]
To make void, or empty. [R.]
Vacuation \Vac`u*a"tion\, n.
The act of emptying; evacuation. [R.]
Vacuist \Vac"u*ist\, n. [Cf. F. vacuiste.]
One who holds the doctrine that the space between the bodies
of the universe, or the molecules and atoms of matter., is a
vacuum; -- opposed to plenist.
Vacuity \Va*cu"i*ty\, n. [L. vacuitas. See {Vacuous}.]
1. The quality or state of being vacuous, or not filled;
emptiness; vacancy; as, vacuity of mind; vacuity of
countenance.
Hunger is such a state of vacuity as to require a
fresh supply of aliment. --Arbuthnot.
2. Space unfilled or unoccupied, or occupied with an
invisible fluid only; emptiness; void; vacuum.
A vacuity is interspersed among the particles of
matter. --Bentley.
God . . . alone can answer all our longings and fill
every vacuity of our soul. --Rogers.
3. Want of reality; inanity; nihility. [R.]
Their expectations will meet with vacuity.
--Glanvill.
Vacuna \Va*cu"na\, n. [L. vacuus unoccupied.] (Rom. Myth.)
The goddess of rural leisure, to whom the husbandmen
sacrificed at the close of the harvest. She was especially
honored by the Sabines.
Vacuolated \Vac"u*o*la`ted\, a. (Biol.)
Full of vacuoles, or small air cavities; as, vacuolated
cells.
Vacuolation \Vac"u*o*la"tion\, n. (Biol.)
Formation into, or multiplication of, vacuoles.
Vacuole \Vac"u*ole\, n. [L. vacuus empty: cf. F. vacuole.]
(Biol.)
A small air cell, or globular space, in the interior of
organic cells, either containing air, or a pellucid watery
liquid, or some special chemical secretions of the cell
protoplasm.
{Contractile vacuole}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Contractile},
and see Illusts. of {Infusoria}, and {Lobosa}.
{Food vacuole}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Food}, and see Illust.
of {Infusoria}.
Vacuous \Vac"u*ous\, a. [L. vacuus. See {Vacant}.]
Empty; unfilled; void; vacant.
Boundless the deep, because I am who fill Infinitude;
nor vacuous the space. --Milton.
That the few may lead selfish and vacuous days. --J.
Morley.
Vacuousness \Vac"u*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vacuous; emptiness; vacuity.
--W. Montagu.
Vacuum \Vac"u*um\, n.; pl. E. {Vacuums}, L. {Vacua}. [L., fr.
vacuus empty. See {Vacuous}.]
1. (Physics) A space entirely devoid of matter (called also,
by way of distinction, absolute vacuum); hence, in a more
general sense, a space, as the interior of a closed
vessel, which has been exhausted to a high or the highest
degree by an air pump or other artificial means; as, water
boils at a reduced temperature in a vacuum.
2. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure
below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, as the
condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of
air or steam, etc.; as, a vacuum of 26 inches of mercury,
or 13 pounds per square inch.
{Vacuum brake}, a kind of continuous brake operated by
exhausting the air from some appliance under each car, and
so causing the pressure of the atmosphere to apply the
brakes.
{Vacuum pan} (Technol.), a kind of large closed metallic
retort used in sugar making for boiling down sirup. It is
so connected with an exhausting apparatus that a partial
vacuum is formed within. This allows the evaporation and
concentration to take place at a lower atmospheric
pressure and hence also at a lower temperature, which
largely obviates the danger of burning the sugar, and
shortens the process.
{Vacuum pump}. Same as {Pulsometer}, 1.
{Vacuum tube} (Phys.), a glass tube provided with platinum
electrodes and exhausted, for the passage of the
electrical discharge; a Geissler tube.
{Vacuum valve}, a safety valve opening inward to admit air to
a vessel in which the pressure is less than that of the
atmosphere, in order to prevent collapse.
{Torricellian vacuum}. See under {Torricellian}.
Vadantes \Va*dan"tes\, n. pl. [NL., from L. vadans, p. pr. of
vadare to wade, to ford.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive artificial group of birds including the wading,
swimming, and cursorial birds.
Vade \Vade\, v. i. [For fade.]
To fade; hence, to vanish. [Obs.] `` Summer leaves all
vaded.'' --Shak.
They into dust shall vade. --Spenser.
Vade mecum \Va`de me"cum\ [L., go with me.]
A book or other thing that a person carries with him as a
constant companion; a manual; a handbook.
Vadimony \Vad"i*mo*ny\, n. [L. vadimonium.] (Law)
A bond or pledge for appearance before a judge on a certain
day. [Obs.]
Vadium \Va"di*um\, n. [LL., from L. vas, vadis, bail.] (Law)
Pledge; security; bail. See {Mortgage}.
{Vadium vivum} [LL.] (Law), a living pledge, which exists
where an estate is granted until a debt is paid out of its
proceeds.
Vae \Vae\, n.
See {Voe}. [Scot.]
Vafrous \Va"frous\, a. [L. vafer.]
Crafty; cunning; sly; as, vafrous tricks. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Vagabond \Vag"a*bond\, a. [F., fr. L. vagabundus, from vagari to
stroll about, from vagus strolling. See {Vague}.]
1. Moving from place to place without a settled habitation;
wandering. ``Vagabond exile.'' --Shak.
2. Floating about without any certain direction; driven to
and fro.
To heaven their prayers Flew up, nor missed the way,
by envious winds Blown vagabond or frustrate.
--Milton.
3. Being a vagabond; strolling and idle or vicious.
Vagabond \Vag"a*bond\, n.
One who wanders from place to place, having no fixed
dwelling, or not abiding in it, and usually without the means
of honest livelihood; a vagrant; a tramp; hence, a worthless
person; a rascal.
A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be. --Gen. iv. 12.
Note: In English and American law, vagabond is used in bad
sense, denoting one who is without a home; a strolling,
idle, worthless person. Vagabonds are described in old
English statutes as ``such as wake on the night and
sleep on the day, and haunt customable taverns and
alehouses, and routs about; and no man wot from whence
they came, nor whither they go.'' In American law, the
term vagrant is employed in the same sense. Cf {Rogue},
n., 1. --Burrill. --Bouvier.
Vagabond \Vag"a*bond\, v. i.
To play the vagabond; to wander like a vagabond; to stroll.
On every part my vagabonding sight Did cast, and drown
mine eyes in sweet delight. --Drummond.
Vagabondage \Vag"a*bond`age\, n. [Cf. F. vagabondage.]
The condition of a vagabond; a state or habit of wandering
about in idleness; vagrancy.
Vagabondism \Vag"a*bond`ism\, n.
Vagabondage.
Vagabondize \Vag"a*bond`ize\, v. i.
To play the vagabond; to wander about in idleness.
Vagabondry \Vag"a*bond`ry\, n.
Vagabondage.
Vagal \Va"gal\, a. [See {Vagus}.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the vagus, or pneumogastric nerves;
pneumogastric.
Vagancy \Va"gan*cy\, n. [From L. vagans, p. pr. See {Vagantes}.]
A wandering; vagrancy. [Obs.]
A thousand vagancies of glory and desight. --Milton.
Vagantes \Va*gan"tes\, p. pl. [NL., fr. L. vagans, p. pr. of
vagari to stroll or wander.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of spiders, comprising some of those which take their
prey in a web, but which also frequently run with agility,
and chase and seize their prey.
Vagarious \Va*ga"ri*ous\, a.
Given to, or characterized by, vagaries; capricious;
whimsical; crochety.
Vagary \Va*ga"ry\, n.; pl. {Vagaries}. [L. vagari to stroll
about. See {Vague}.]
1. A wandering or strolling. [Obs.]
2. Hence, a wandering of the thoughts; a wild or fanciful
freak; a whim; a whimsical purpose. ``The vagaries of a
child.'' --Spectator.
They changed their minds, Flew off, and into strange
vagaries fell. --Milton.
Vagient \Va"gi*ent\, a. [L. vagiens, p. pr. of vagire to cry
like a young child.]
Crying like a child. [Obs.]
Vagina \Va*gi"na\, n.; pl. {Vagin[ae]}. [L. vagina a scabbard or
sheath.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) A sheath; a theca; as, the vagina of the portal vein.
(b) Specifically, the canal which leads from the uterus to
the external orifice if the genital canal, or to the
cloaca.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The terminal part of the oviduct in insects and
various other invertebrates. See Illust., of
{Spermatheca}.
3. (Bot.) The basal expansion of certain leaves, which
inwraps the stem; a sheath.
4. (Arch.) The shaft of a terminus, from which the bust of
figure seems to issue or arise.
Vaginal \Vag"i*nal\, a. [Cf. F. vaginal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vagina; resembling a vagina, or
sheath; thecal; as, a vaginal synovial membrane; the
vaginal process of the temporal bone.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the vagina of the genital
canal; as, the vaginal artery.
Vaginant \Vag"i*nant\, a. [Cf. F. vaginant. See {Vagina}.]
Serving to in invest, or sheathe; sheathing.
{Vaginant leaf} (Bot.), a leaf investing the stem or branch
by its base, which has the form of a tube.
Vaginate \Vag"i*nate\, Vaginated \Vag"i*na`ted\, a. [See
{Vagina}.]
Invested with, or as if with, a sheath; as, a vaginate stem,
or one invested by the tubular base of a leaf.
Vaginati \Vag`i*na"ti\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of birds comprising the sheathbills.
Vaginervose \Vag`i*ner*vose"\, a. [L. vagus wandering + E.
nervose.] (Bot.)
Having the nerves, or veins, placed in apparent disorder.
Vaginicola \Vag`i*nic"o*la\, n. [NL., from L. vagina sheath +
colere to in habit.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Infusoria which form minute vaselike or tubular
cases in which they dwell.
Vaginismus \Vag`i*nis"mus\, n. [NL.] (Med.)
A painful spasmodic contraction of the vagina, often
rendering copulation impossible.
Vaginitis \Vag`i*ni"tis\, n. [NL. See {Vagina}, and {-itis}.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the vagina, or the genital canal, usually of
its mucous living membrane.
Vaginopennous \Vag`i*no*pen"nous\, a. [L. vagina a sheath +
penna a feather, pl. pennae a wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having elytra; sheath-winged. [R.]
Vaginula \Va*gin"u*la\, n. [L., dim. of vagina sheath.] (Bot.)
(a) A little sheath, as that about the base of the pedicel of
most mosses.
(b) One of the tubular florets in composite flowers.
--Henslow.
Vaginule \Vag"i*nule\, n. (Bot.)
A vaginula.
Vagissate \Vag"is*sate\, v. i. [L. vagari to stroll or wander.]
To caper or frolic. [Obs.]
Vagous \Va"gous\, a. [L. vagus. See {Vague}.]
Wandering; unsettled. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Vagrancy \Va"gran*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being a vagrant; a wandering without
a settled home; an unsettled condition; vagabondism.
Threatened away into banishment and vagrancy. --Barrow.
Vagrant \Va"grant\, a. [Probably fr. OF. waucrant, wacrant, p.
p. of waucrer, wacrer, walcrer, to wander (probably of
Teutonic origin), but influenced by F. vagant, p. pr. of
vaguer to stray, L. vagari. Cf. {Vagary}.]
1. Moving without certain direction; wandering; erratic;
unsettled.
That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took. --Prior.
While leading this vagrant and miserable life,
Johnson fell in live. --Macaulay.
2. Wandering from place to place without any settled
habitation; as, a vagrant beggar.
Vagrant \Va"grant\, n.
One who strolls from place to place; one who has no settled
habitation; an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an
incorrigible rogue; a vagabond.
Vagrants and outlaws shall offend thy view. --Prior.
Vagrantly \Va"grant*ly\, adv.
In a vagrant manner.
Vagrantness \Va"grant*ness\, n.
State of being vagrant; vagrancy.
Vague \Vague\ (v[=a]g), a. [Compar. {Vaguer} (v[=a]g"[~e]r);
superl. {Vaguest}.] [F. vague, or L. vagus. See {Vague}, v.
i.]
1. Wandering; vagrant; vagabond. [Archaic] ``To set upon the
vague villains.'' --Hayward.
She danced along with vague, regardless eyes.
--Keats.
2. Unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous;
as, a vague idea; a vague proposition.
This faith is neither a mere fantasy of future
glory, nor a vague ebullition of feeling. --I.
Taylor.
The poet turned away, and gave himself up to a sort
of vague revery, which he called thought.
--Hawthorne.
3. Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated;
uncertain; flying; as, a vague report.
Some legend strange and vague. --Longfellow.
{Vague year}. See {Sothiac year}, under {Sothiac}.
Syn: Unsettled; indefinite; unfixed; ill-defined; ambiguous;
hazy; loose; lax; uncertain.
Vague \Vague\, n. [Cf. F. vague.]
An indefinite expanse. [R.]
The gray vague of unsympathizing sea. --Lowell.
Vague \Vague\, v. i. [F. vaguer, L. vagari, fr. vagus roaming.]
To wander; to roam; to stray. [Obs.] ``[The soul] doth vague
and wander.'' --Holland.
Vague \Vague\, n.
A wandering; a vagary. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Vaguely \Vague"ly\, adv.
In a vague manner.
What he vaguely hinted at, but dared not speak.
--Hawthorne.
Vagueness \Vague"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vague.
Vagus \Va"gus\, a. [L., wandering.] (Anat.)
Wandering; -- applied especially to the pneumogastric nerve.
-- n. The vagus, ore pneumogastric, nerve.
Vail \Vail\, n. & v. t.
Same as {Veil}.
Vail \Vail\, n. [Aphetic form of avail, n.]
1. Avails; profit; return; proceeds. [Obs.]
My house is as were the cave where the young outlaw
hoards the stolen vails of his occupation.
--Chapman.
2. An unexpected gain or acquisition; a casual advantage or
benefit; a windfall. [Obs.]
3. Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; --
usually in the plural. [Written also {vale}.] --Dryden.
Vail \Vail\, v. t. [Aphetic form of avale. See {Avale}, {Vale}.]
[Written also {vale}, and {veil}.]
1. To let fail; to allow or cause to sink. [Obs.]
Vail your regard Upon a wronged, I would fain have
said, a maid! --Shak.
2. To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence,
submission, or the like.
France must vail her lofty-plumed crest! --Shak.
Without vailing his bonnet or testifying any
reverence for the alleged sanctity of the relic.
--Sir. W.
Scott.
Vail \Vail\, v. i.
To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by
yielding, uncovering, or the like. [Written also {vale}, and
{veil}.] [Obs.]
Thy convenience must vail to thy neighbor's necessity.
--South.
Vail \Vail\, n.
Submission; decline; descent. [Obs.]
Vailer \Vail"er\, n.
One who vails. [Obs.] --Overbury.
Vaimure \Vai"mure\, n.
An outer, or exterior. wall. See {Vauntmure}. [Obs.]
--Hakluyt.
Vain \Vain\, a. [Compar. {Vainer}; superl. {Vainest}.] [F. vain,
L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. {Vanish}, {Vanity}, {Vaunt}
to boast.]
1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty;
void; worthless; unsatisfying. ``Thy vain excuse.''
--Shak.
Every man walketh in a vain show. --Ps. xxxix.
6.
Let no man deceive you with vain words. --Eph. v. 6.
Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye!
--Shak.
Vain visdom all, and false philosophy. --Milton.
2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose;
fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
Bring no more vain oblations. --Isa. i. 13.
Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which
the pile sustain. --Dryden.
3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having
a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight
reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart
from works is barren? --James ii. 20
(Rev. Ver.).
The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their
art. --Dryden.
4. Showy; ostentatious.
Load some vain church with old theatric state.
--Pope.
Syn: Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal;
shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant;
deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.
Vain \Vain\, n.
Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase in vain.
{For vain}. See {In vain}. [Obs.] --Shak.
{In vain}, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectually. ``
In vain doth valor bleed.'' --Milton. `` In vain they do
worship me.'' --Matt. xv. 9.
{To take the name of God in vain}, to use the name of God
with levity or profaneness.
Vainglorious \Vain`glo"ri*ous\, a.
Feeling or indicating vainglory; elated by vanity; boastful.
``Arrogant and vainglorious expression.'' --Sir M. Hale. --
{Vain`glo"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vain`glo"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Vainglory \Vain`glo"ry\, n. [Vain + glory.]
Excessive vanity excited by one's own performances; empty
pride; undue elation of mind; vain show; boastfulness.
He had nothing of vainglory. --Bacon.
The man's undone forever; for if Hector break not his
neck i' the combat, he'll break't himself in vainglory.
--Shak.
Vainly \Vain"ly\, adv.
In a vain manner; in vain.
Vainness \Vain"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vain.
Vair \Vair\, n. [F. vair, from OF. vair, a., L. varius various,
variegated. See {Various}, and cf. {Menivel}.]
The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century
as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of
that period in describing the costly dresses of kings,
nobles, and prelates. It is represented in heraldry by a
series of small shields placed close together, and
alternately white and blue. --Fairholt.
No vair or ermine decked his garment. --Sir W.
Scott.
{Counter vair} (Her.), a fur resembling vair, except in the
arrangement of the patches or figures.
Vairy \Vair"y\, a. [F. vair['e]. See {Vair}, n.] (Her.)
Charged with vair; variegated with shield-shaped figures. See
{Vair}.
Vaishnava \Vaish"na*va\ (v[imac]sh"n[.a]*v[.a]), n. [Skr.
vaish[.n]ava.] (Hindu Myth.)
A worshiper of the god Vishnu in any of his incarnations.
Vaishnavism \Vaish"na*vism\, n.
The worship of Vishnu.
Vaisya \Vais"ya\, n. [Skr. vai[,c]ya.]
The third of the four great original castes among the Hindus,
now either extinct or partially represented by the mercantile
class of Banyas. See the Note under {Caste}, 1.
Vaivode \Vai"vode\, n. [Cf. F. vayvode. See {Waywode}.]
See {Waywode}.
Vakeel \Va*keel"\, n. [Ar. wak[=i]l.]
A native attorney or agent; also, an ambassador. [India]
Valance \Val"ance\, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. avalant descending,
hanging down, p. pr. of avaler to go down, let down, descent
(cf. {Avalanche}); but probably from the town of Valence in
France.]
1. Hanging drapery for a bed, couch, window, or the like,
especially that which hangs around a bedstead, from the
bed to the floor. [Written also {valence}.]
Valance of Venice gold in needlework. --Shak.
2. The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk. which covers
the joint when the lid is closed.
Valance \Val"ance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Valanced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Valancing}.]
To furnish with a valance; to decorate with hangings or
drapery.
His old fringed chair valanced around with
party-colored worsted bobs. --Sterne.
Vale \Vale\, n. [OE. val, F. val, L. vallis; perhaps akin to Gr.
? low ground, marsh meadow. Cf. {Avalanche}, {Vail} to lower,
{Valley}.]
A tract of low ground, or of land between hills; a valley. ``
Make me a cottage in the vale.'' --Tennyson.
Beyond this vale of tears there is a life above.
--Montgomery.
In those fair vales, by nature formed to please.
--Harte.
Note: Vale is more commonly used in poetry, and valley in
prose and common discourse.
Syn: Valley; dingle; dell; dale.
Vale \Vale\, n.
See 2d {Vail}, 3.
Valediction \Val`e*dic"tion\, n. [L., valedicere, valedictum, to
say farewell; vale farewell (imperative of valere to be
strong or well) + dicere to say. See {Valiant}, {Diction}.]
A farewell; a bidding farewell. --Donne.
Valedictorian \Val`e*dic*to"ri*an\, n.
One who pronounces a valedictory address; especially, in
American colleges, the student who pronounces the valedictory
of the graduating class at the annual commencement, usually
the student who ranks first in scholarship.
Valedictory \Val`e*dic"to*ry\, a.
Bidding farewell; suitable or designed for an occasion of
leave-taking; as, a valedictory oration.
Valedictory \Val`e*dic"to*ry\, n.; pl. {Valedictories}.
A valedictory oration or address spoken at commencement in
American colleges or seminaries by one of the graduating
class, usually by the leading scholar.
Valence \Va"lence\, n. [From L. valens, -entis, p. pr. of valere
to have power, to be strong. See {Valiant}.] (Chem.)
The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as
shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads,
as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for
which it can be substituted, or with which it can be
compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a
valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are
respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence
respectively of two, three, and four.
Note: The valence of certain elements varies in different
compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as
seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium
respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of
fundamental importance in distinguishing the
equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential
factor in explaining the chemical structures of
compounds.
Valencia \Va*len"ci*a\, n. [Perhaps fr. Valence in France.]
A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of
wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [Written also
{valentia}.]
Valenciennes lace \Va*len`ci*ennes" lace"\ [F.; -- so called
after the town of Valenciennes.]
A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each
piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same
person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in
the net.
Valency \Val"en*cy\, n.; pl. {Valencies}. (Chem.)
(a) See {Valence}.
(b) A unit of combining power; a so-called bond of affinity.
Valentia \Va*len"ti*a\, n.
See {Valencia}.
Valentine \Val"en*tine\, n.
1. A sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine's Day.
2. A letter containing professions of love, or a missive of a
sentimental, comic, or burlesque character, sent on St.
Valentine's Day.
{St. Valentine's Day}, a day sacred to St. Valentine; the
14th of February. It was a very old notion, alluded to by
Shakespeare, that on this day birds begin to mate. Hence,
perhaps, arose the custom of sending love tokens at that
time.
Valentinian \Val`en*tin"i*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a school of Judaizing Gnostics in the second century;
-- so called from Valentinus, the founder.
Valeramide \Val`er*am"ide\, n. [Valeric + amide.] (Chem.)
The acid amide derivative of valeric acid, obtained as a
white crystalline substance.
Valerate \Val"er*ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of valeric acid.
Valerian \Va*le"ri*an\, n. [LL. valeriana, perhaps from some
person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong.
powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: cf. F.
val['e]riane.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Valeriana}. The root of the officinal
valerian ({V. officinalis}) has a strong smell, and is much
used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
{Greek valerian} (Bot.), a plant ({Polemonium c[ae]ruleum})
with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of
the officinal valerian.
Valerianaceous \Va*le`ri*an*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of a natural order
({Valerianacc[ae]}) of which the valerian is the type. The
order includes also the corn salads and the oriental
spikenard.
Valerianate \Va*le"ri*an*ate\, n. (Chem.)
A valerate.
Valerianic \Va*le`ri*an"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Performance to, or obtained from, valerian root;
specifically, designating an acid which is usually called
valeric acid.
Valeric \Va*ler"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Valerianic; specifically, designating any one of three
metameric acids, of which the typical one (called also
{inactive valeric acid}), {C4H9CO2H}, is obtained from
valerian root and other sources, as a corrosive, mobile, oily
liquid, having a strong acid taste, and an odor of old
cheese.
{Active valeric acid}, a metameric variety which turns the
plane of polarization to the right, although formed by the
oxidation of a levorotatory amyl alcohol.
Valeridine \Va*ler"i*dine\, n. (Chem.)
A base, {C10H19N}, produced by heating valeric aldehyde with
ammonia. It is probably related to the conine alkaloids.
Valerin \Val"er*in\, n. [Valeric + glycerin.] (Chem.)
A salt of valeric acid with glycerin, occurring in butter,
dolphin oil., and forming an forming an oily liquid with a
slightly unpleasant odor.
Valeritrine \Va*ler"i*trine\, n. [Valeric + iropine + -ine.]
(Chem.)
A base, {C15H27N}, produced together with valeridine, which
it resembles.
Valero- \Val"er*o-\ (Chem.)
A combining form (also used adjectively) indicating
derivation from, or relation to, valerian or some of its
products, as valeric acid; as in valerolactone, a colorless
oily liquid produced as the anhydride of an hydroxy valeric
acid.
Valerone \Val"er*one\, n. (Chem.)
A ketone of valeric acid obtained as an oily liquid.
Valeryl \Val"er*yl\, n. [Valeric + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {C5H9O}, regarded as the essential
nucleus of certain valeric acid derivatives.
Valerylene \Val`er*yl*ene\, n. (Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon, {C5H8}; -- called also {pentine}.
Valet \Val"et\ (?; 277), n. [F. valet, OF. vallet, varlet,
vaslet. See {Varlet}, and {Vassal}.]
1. A male waiting servant; a servant who attends on
gentleman's person; a body servant.
2. (Man.) A kind of goad or stick with a point of iron.
{Valet de chambre}[F.], a body servant, or personal
attendant.
Valetudinarian \Val`e*tu`di*na"ri*an\, a. [L. valetudinarius,
from valetudo state of health, health, ill health, fr. valere
to be strong or well: cf. F. val['e]tudinaire. See
{Valiant}.]
Of infirm health; seeking to recover health; sickly; weakly;
infirm.
My feeble health and valetudinarian stomach.
--Coleridge.
The virtue which the world wants is a healthful virtue,
not a valetudinarian virtue. --Macaulay.
Valetudinarian \Val`e*tu`di*na"ri*an\, n.
A person of a weak or sickly constitution; one who is seeking
to recover health.
Valetudinarians must live where they can command and
scold. --Swift.
Valetudinarianism \Val`e*tu`di*na"ri*an*ism\, n.
The condition of a valetudinarian; a state of feeble health;
infirmity.
Valetudinary \Val`e*tu"di*na*ry\, a.
Infirm; sickly; valetudinarian. -- {Val`e*tu"di*na*ri*ness},
n.
It renders the habit of society dangerously. --Burke.
Valetudinary \Val`e*tu"di*na*ry\, n.
A valetudinarian.
Valetudinous \Val`e*tu"di*nous\, a.
Valetudinarian. [Obs.] ``The valetudinous condition of King
Edward.'' --Fuller.
Valhalla \Val*hal"la\, n. [Icel. valh["o]ll, literally, hall of
the slain; valr the slain (akin to AS. w[ae]l, OHG. wal
battlefield, wuol defeat, slaughter, AS. w[=o]l pestilence) +
h["o]ll a royal hall. See {Hall}, and cf. {Walhalla}.]
[Written also {walhalla}.]
1. (Scand. Myth.) The palace of immortality, inhabited by the
souls of heroes slain in battle.
2. Fig.: A hall or temple adorned with statues and memorials
of a nation's heroes; specifically, the Pantheon near
Ratisbon, in Bavaria, consecrated to the illustrious dead
of all Germany.
Valiance \Val"iance\, Valiancy \Val"ian*cy\, n. [Cf. F.
vaillance. See {Valiant}.]
The quality or state of being valiant; bravery; valor. [Obs.]
``His doughty valiance.'' --Spenser.
Valiant \Val"iant\, a. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant,
valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L.
valere to be strong. See {Wield}, and cf. {Avail},
{Convalesce}, {Equivalent}, {Prevail}, {Valid}.]
1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer.
[Obs.] --Walton.
2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave.
A valiant and most expert gentleman. --Shak.
And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me,
and fight the Lord's battles. --1 Sam.
xviii. 17.
3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. ``Thou bearest
the highest name for valiant acts.'' --Milton.
[The saints] have made such valiant confessions.
--J. H.
Newman.
-- {Val"iant*ly}, adv. -- {Val"iant*ness}, {n}.
Valid \Val"id\, a. [F. valide, F. validus strong, from valere to
be strong. See {Valiant}.]
1. Strong; powerful; efficient. [Obs.] ``Perhaps more valid
arms . . . may serve to better us.'' --Milton.
2. Having sufficient strength or force; founded in truth;
capable of being justified, defended, or supported; not
weak or defective; sound; good; efficacious; as, a valid
argument; a valid objection.
An answer that is open to no valid exception. --I.
Taylor.
3. (Law) Having legal strength or force; executed with the
proper formalities; incapable of being rightfully
overthrown or set aside; as, a valid deed; a valid
covenant; a valid instrument of any kind; a valid claim or
title; a valid marriage.
Syn: Prevalent; available; efficacious; just; good; weighty;
sufficient; sound; well-grounded.
Validate \Val"i*date\, v. t. [See {Valid}.]
To confirm; to render valid; to give legal force to.
The chamber of deputies . . . refusing to validate at
once the election of an official candidate. --London
Spectator.
Validation \Val`i*da"tion\, n. [Cf. F. validation.]
The act of giving validity. [R.] --Knowles.
Validity \Va*lid"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. validit['e], L. validitas
strength.]
1. The quality or state of being valid; strength; force;
especially, power to convince; justness; soundness; as,
the validity of an argument or proof; the validity of an
objection.
2. (Law) Legal strength, force, or authority; that quality of
a thing which renders it supportable in law, or equity;
as, the validity of a will; the validity of a contract,
claim, or title.
3. Value. [Obs.] ``Rich validity.'' --Shak.
Validly \Val"id*ly\, adv.
In a valid manner; so as to be valid.
Validness \Val"id*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being valid.
Valinch \Val"inch\, n. [Cf. F. avaler to let down, drink up. Cf.
{Avalanche}.]
A tube for drawing liquors from a cask by the bunghole.
[Written also {velinche}.]
Valise \Va*lise"\, n. [F. valise; cf. It. valigia, Sp. balija,
LL. valisia, valesia; of uncertain origin, perhaps through
(assumed) LL. vidulitia, from L. vidulus a leathern trunk; a
knapsack.]
A small sack or case, usually of leather, but sometimes of
other material, for containing the clothes, toilet articles,
etc., of a traveler; a traveling bag; a portmanteau.
Valkyria \Val*kyr"i*a\, n. [Icel. valkyrja (akin to AS.
w[ae]lcyrie); valr the slain + kj[=o]sa to choose. See
{Valhalla}, and {Choose}.] (Scand. Myth.)
One of the maidens of Odin, represented as awful and
beautiful, who presided over battle and marked out those who
were to be slain, and who also ministered at the feasts of
heroes in Valhalla. [Written also {Valkyr}, and {Walkyr}.]
Valkyrian \Val*kyr"i*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Valkyrias; hence, relating to battle.
``Ourself have often tried Valkyrian hymns.'' --Tennyson.
Vallancy \Val*lan"cy\, n. [From {Valance}.]
A large wig that shades the face. [Obs.]
Vallar \Val"lar\, a. [L. vallaris.]
Of or pertaining to a rampart.
{Vallar crown} (Rom. Antiq.), a circular gold crown with
palisades, bestowed upon the soldier who first surmounted
the rampart and broke into the enemy's camp.
Vallar \Val"lar\, n.
A vallar crown.
Vallary \Val"la*ry\, a.
Same as {Vallar}.
Vallation \Val*la"tion\, n. [L. vallatio, fr. vallare to
surround with a rampart, fr. vallum rampart. See {Wall}, n.]
A rampart or intrenchment.
Vallatory \Val"la*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vallation; used for a vallation; as,
vallatory reads. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Vallecula \Val*lec"u*la\, n.; pl. {Vallecul[ae]}. [NL., dim. fr.
L. vallis, valles, a valley.]
1. (Anat.) A groove; a fossa; as, the vallecula, or fossa,
which separates the hemispheres of the cerebellum.
2. (Bot.) One of the grooves, or hollows, between the ribs of
the fruit of umbelliferous plants.
Vallet's pills \Val`let's pills"\ [From Dr. Vallet of Paris.]
(Med.)
Pills containing sulphate of iron and carbonate of sodium,
mixed with saccharine matter; -- called also {Vallet's mass}.
Valley \Val"ley\, n.; pl. {Valleys}. [OE. vale, valeie, OF.
val['e]e, valede, F. vall['e]e, LL. vallata, L. vallis,
valles. See {Vale}.]
1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains;
the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions
intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a
stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or
both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively.
The valley of the shadow of death. --Ps. xxiii.
4.
Sweet interchange Of hill and valley, rivers, woods,
and plains. --Milton.
Note: Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually
the results of erosion by water, and are called
{gorges}, {ravines}, {ca[~n]ons}, {gulches}, etc.
2. (Arch.)
(a) The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which
have their plates running in different directions, and
form on the plan a re["e]ntrant angle.
(b) The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on
a flat roof.
{Valley board} (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead
gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead
gutter are not usual in the United States.
{Valley rafter}, or {Valley piece} (Arch.), the rafter which
supports the valley.
{Valley roof} (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See
{Valley}, 2, above.
Vallum \Val"lum\, n.; pl. L. {Valla}, E. {Vallums}. [L. See
{Wall}.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A rampart; a wall, as in a fortification.
Valonia \Va*lo"ni*a\, n. [It. vallonia, vallonea, fr. NGr.
balania`, balanidia`, the holm oak, bala`ni, balani`di, an
acorn, Gr. ba`lanos.]
1. The acorn cup of two kinds of oak ({Quercus macrolepis},
and {Q. vallonea}) found in Eastern Europe. It contains
abundance of tannin, and is much used by tanners and
dyers.
2. [Perhaps named from its resemblance to an acorn.] (Bot.) A
genus of marine green alg[ae], in which the whole frond
consists of a single oval or cylindrical cell, often an
inch in length.
Valor \Val"or\, n. [OE. valour, OF. valor, valur, valour, F.
valeur, LL. valor, fr. L. valere to be strong, or worth. See
{Valiant}.] [Written also {valour}.]
1. Value; worth. [Obs.] ``The valor of a penny.'' --Sir T.
More.
2. Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which
enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal
bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.
For contemplation he and valor formed. --Milton.
When valor preys on reason, It eats the sword it
fights with. --Shak.
Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor. --B.
Jonson.
3. A brave man; a man of valor. [R.] --Ld. Lytton.
Syn: Courage; heroism; bravery; gallantry; boldness;
fearlessness. See {Courage}, and {Heroism}.
Valorous \Val"or*ous\, a. [Cf. F. valeureux, LL. valorosus.]
Possessing or exhibiting valor; brave; courageous; valiant;
intrepid. -- {Val"or*ous*ly}, adv.
Valsalvian \Val*sal"vi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Valsalva, an Italian anatomist of the
17th century.
{Valsalvian experiment} (Med.), the process of inflating the
middle ear by closing the mouth and nostrils, and blowing
so as to puff out the cheeks.
Valuable \Val"u*a*ble\, a.
1. Having value or worth; possessing qualities which are
useful and esteemed; precious; costly; as, a valuable
horse; valuable land; a valuable cargo.
2. Worthy; estimable; deserving esteem; as, a valuable
friend; a valuable companion.
{Valuable consideration} (Law), an equivalent or compensation
having value given for a thing purchased, as money,
marriage, services, etc. --Blackstone. --Bouvier.
Valuable \Val"u*a*ble\, n.
A precious possession; a thing of value, especially a small
thing, as an article of jewelry; -- used mostly in the
plural.
The food and valuables they offer to the gods. --Tylor.
Valuableness \Val"u*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being valuable.
Valuably \Val"u*a*bly\, adv.
So as to be of value.
Valuation \Val`u*a"tion\, n.
1. The act of valuing, or of estimating value or worth; the
act of setting a price; estimation; appraisement; as, a
valuation of lands for the purpose of taxation.
2. Value set upon a thing; estimated value or worth; as, the
goods sold for more than their valuation.
Since of your lives you set So slight a valuation.
--Shak.
Valuator \Val"u*a`tor\, n.
One who assesses, or sets a value on, anything; an appraiser.
--Swift.
Value \Val"ue\, n. [OF. value, fr. valoir, p. p. valu, to be
worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See
{Valiant}.]
1. The property or aggregate properties of a thing by which
it is rendered useful or desirable, or the degree of such
property or sum of properties; worth; excellence; utility;
importance.
Ye are all physicians of no value. --Job xiii. 4.
Ye are of more value than many sparrows. --Matt. x. 31.
C[ae]sar is well acquainted with your virtue, And
therefore sets this value on your life. --Addison.
Before events shall have decided on the value of the
measures. --Marshall.
2. (Trade & Polit. Econ.) Worth estimated by any standard of
purchasing power, especially by the market price, or the
amount of money agreed upon as an equivalent to the
utility and cost of anything.
An article may be possessed of the highest degree of
utility, or power to minister to our wants and
enjoyments, and may be universally made use of,
without possessing exchangeable value. --M'Culloch.
Value is the power to command commodities generally.
--A. L. Chapin
(Johnson's
Cys.).
Value is the generic term which expresses power in
exchange. --F. A.
Walker.
His design was not to pay him the value of his
pictures, because they were above any price.
--Dryden.
Note: In political economy, value is often distinguished as
intrinsic and exchangeable. Intrinsic value is the same
as utility or adaptation to satisfy the desires or
wants of men. Exchangeable value is that in an article
or product which disposes individuals to give for it
some quantity of labor, or some other article or
product obtainable by labor; as, pure air has an
intrinsic value, but generally not an exchangeable
value.
3. Precise signification; import; as, the value of a word;
the value of a legal instrument --Mitford.
4. Esteem; regard. --Dryden.
My relation to the person was so near, and my value
for him so great --Bp. Burnet.
5. (Mus.) The relative length or duration of a tone or note,
answering to quantity in prosody; thus, a quarter note [?]
has the value of two eighth notes [?].
6. In an artistical composition, the character of any one
part in its relation to other parts and to the whole; --
often used in the plural; as, the values are well given,
or well maintained.
7. Valor. [Written also {valew}.] [Obs.] --Spenser.
{Value received}, a phrase usually employed in a bill of
exchange or a promissory note, to denote that a
consideration has been given for it. --Bouvier.
Value \Val"ue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Valued}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Valuing}.]
1. To estimate the value, or worth, of; to rate at a certain
price; to appraise; to reckon with respect to number,
power, importance, etc.
The mind doth value every moment. --Bacon.
The queen is valued thirty thousand strong. --Shak.
The king must take it ill, That he's so slightly
valued in his messenger. --Shak.
Neither of them valued their promises according to
rules of honor or integrity. --Clarendon.
2. To rate highly; to have in high esteem; to hold in respect
and estimation; to appreciate; to prize; as, to value one
for his works or his virtues.
Which of the dukes he values most. --Shak.
3. To raise to estimation; to cause to have value, either
real or apparent; to enhance in value. [Obs.]
Some value themselves to their country by jealousies
of the crown. --Sir W.
Temple.
4. To be worth; to be equal to in value. [Obs.]
The peace between the French and us not values The
cost that did conclude it. --Shak.
Syn: To compute; rate; appraise; esteem; respect; regard;
estimate; prize; appreciate.
Valued \Val"ued\, a.
Highly regarded; esteemed; prized; as, a valued contributor;
a valued friend.
{Valued policy}. See under {Policy}.
Valueless \Val"ue*less\, a.
Being of no value; having no worth.
Valuer \Val"u*er\, n.
One who values; an appraiser.
Valure \Val"ure\, n.
Value. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
Valvasor \Val"va*sor\, n. (Feud. Law)
See {Vavasor}.
Valvata \Val*va"ta\, n. [NL.; cf. L. valvatus having folding
doors. See {Valve}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small spiral fresh-water gastropods having an
operculum.
Valvate \Valv"ate\, a. [L. valvatus having folding doors.]
1. Resembling, or serving as, a valve; consisting of, or
opening by, a valve or valves; valvular.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Meeting at the edges without overlapping; -- said of
the sepals or the petals of flowers in [ae]stivation,
and of leaves in vernation.
(b) Opening as if by doors or valves, as most kinds of
capsules and some anthers.
Valve \Valve\, n. [L. valva the leaf, fold, or valve of a door:
cf. F. valve.]
1. A door; especially, one of a pair of folding doors, or one
of the leaves of such a door.
Swift through the valves the visionary fair
Repassed. --Pope.
Heavily closed, . . . the valves of the barn doors.
--Longfellow.
2. A lid, plug, or cover, applied to an aperture so that by
its movement, as by swinging, lifting and falling,
sliding, turning, or the like, it will open or close the
aperture to permit or prevent passage, as of a fluid.
Note: A valve may act automatically so as to be opened by the
effort of a fluid to pass in one direction, and closed
by the effort to pass in the other direction, as a
clack valve; or it may be opened or closed by hand or
by mechanism, as a screw valve, or a slide valve.
3. (Anat.) One or more membranous partitions, flaps, or
folds, which permit the passage of the contents of a
vessel or cavity in one direction, but stop or retard the
flow in the opposite direction; as, the ileocolic, mitral,
and semilunar valves.
4. (Bot.)
(a) One of the pieces into which a capsule naturally
separates when it bursts.
(b) One of the two similar portions of the shell of a
diatom.
(c) A small portion of certain anthers, which opens like a
trapdoor to allow the pollen to escape, as in the
barberry.
5. (Zo["o]l.) One of the pieces or divisions of bivalve or
multivalve shells.
{Air valve}, {Ball valve}, {Check valve}, etc. See under
{Air}. {Ball}, {Check}, etc.
{Double-beat valve}, a kind of balance valve usually
consisting of a movable, open-ended, turban-shaped shell
provided with two faces of nearly equal diameters, one
above another, which rest upon two corresponding seats
when the valve is closed.
{Equilibrium valve}.
(a) A balance valve. See under {Balance}.
(b) A valve for permitting air, steam, water, etc., to
pass into or out of a chamber so as to establish or
maintain equal pressure within and without.
{Valve chest} (Mach.), a chamber in which a valve works;
especially (Steam Engine), the steam chest; -- called in
England {valve box}, and {valve casing}. See {Steam
chest}, under {Steam}.
{Valve face} (Mach.), that part of the surface of a valve
which comes in contact with the {valve seat}.
{Valve gear}, or {Valve motion} (Steam Engine), the system of
parts by which motion is given to the valve or valves for
the distribution of steam in the cylinder. For an
illustration of one form of valve gear, see {Link motion}.
{Valve seat}. (Mach.)
(a) The fixed surface on which a valve rests or against
which it presses.
(b) A part or piece on which such a surface is formed.
{Valve stem} (Mach.), a rod attached to a valve, for moving
it.
{Valve yoke} (Mach.), a strap embracing a slide valve and
connecting it to the valve stem.
Valved \Valved\, a.
Having a valve or valve; valvate.
Valvelet \Valve"let\, n.
A little valve; a valvule; especially, one of the pieces
which compose the outer covering of a pericarp.
Valve-shell \Valve"-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any fresh-water gastropod of the genus {Valvata}.
Valvula \Val"vu*la\, n.; pl. {Valvul[ae]}. [NL., dim. fr. L.
valva fold, valve of a door.] (Anat.)
A little valve or fold; a valvelet; a valvule.
Valvular \Valv"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. valvulaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to a valve or valves; specifically
(Med.), of or pertaining to the valves of the heart; as,
valvular disease.
2. Containing valves; serving as a valve; opening by valves;
valvate; as, a valvular capsule.
Valvule \Valv"ule\, n. [Cf. F. valvule.]
1. A little valve; a valvelet.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A small valvelike process.
Valylene \Val"yl*ene\, n. [Valerian + -yl.] (Chem.)
A volatile liquid hydrocarbon, {C5H6}, related to ethylene
and acetylene, but possessing the property of unsaturation in
the third degree. It is the only known member of a distinct
series of compounds. It has a garlic odor.
Vambrace \Vam"brace\, n. [See {Vantbrass}.] (Anc. Armor)
The piece designed to protect the arm from the elbow to the
wrist.
Vamose \Va*mose"\, v. i. & t. [Sp. vamos let us go.]
To depart quickly; to depart from. [Written also {vamos}, and
{vamoose}.] [Slang, Eng. & U. S.]
Vamp \Vamp\, v. i.
To advance; to travel. [Obs.]
Vamp \Vamp\, n. [OE. vampe, vaumpe, vauntpe, F. avantpied the
forefoot, vamp; anat before, fore + pied foot, L. pes. See
{Advance}, {Van} of an army, and {Foot}.]
1. The part of a boot or shoe above the sole and welt, and in
front of the ankle seam; an upper.
2. Any piece added to an old thing to give it a new
appearance. See {Vamp}, v. t.
Vamp \Vamp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vamped} (?; 215); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vamping}.]
To provide, as a shoe, with new upper leather; hence, to
piece, as any old thing, with a new part; to repair; to
patch; -- often followed by up.
I had never much hopes of your vamped play. --Swift.
Vamper \Vamp"er\, n.
One who vamps; one who pieces an old thing with something
new; a cobbler.
Vamper \Vamp"er\, v. i. [Cf. {Vaunt}.]
To swagger; to make an ostentatious show. [Prov. eng. &
Scot.] --Jamieson.
Vampire \Vam"pire\, n. [F. vampire (cf. It. vampiro, G. & D.
vampir), fr. Servian vampir.] [Written also {vampyre}.]
1. A blood-sucking ghost; a soul of a dead person
superstitiously believed to come from the grave and wander
about by night sucking the blood of persons asleep, thus
causing their death. This superstition is now prevalent in
parts of Eastern Europe, and was especially current in
Hungary about the year 1730.
The persons who turn vampires are generally wizards,
witches, suicides, and persons who have come to a
violent end, or have been cursed by their parents or
by the church, --Encyc. Brit.
2. Fig.: One who lives by preying on others; an extortioner;
a bloodsucker.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Either one of two or more species of South
American blood-sucking bats belonging to the genera
{Desmodus} and {Diphylla}. These bats are destitute of
molar teeth, but have strong, sharp cutting incisors with
which they make punctured wounds from which they suck the
blood of horses, cattle, and other animals, as well as
man, chiefly during sleep. They have a c[ae]cal appendage
to the stomach, in which the blood with which they gorge
themselves is stored.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of harmless tropical
American bats of the genus {Vampyrus}, especially {V.
spectrum}. These bats feed upon insects and fruit, but
were formerly erroneously supposed to suck the blood of
man and animals. Called also {false vampire}.
{Vampire bat} (Zo["o]l.), a vampire, 3.
Vampirism \Vam"pir*ism\, n. [Cf. F. vampirisme.]
1. Belief in the existence of vampires.
2. The actions of a vampire; the practice of bloodsucking.
3. Fig.: The practice of extortion. --Carlyle.
Vamplate \Vam"plate`\, n. [F. avant fore, fore + E. plate.]
A round of iron on the shaft of a tilting spear, to protect
the hand. [Written also {vamplet}.]
Vamure \Va"mure\, n.
See {Vauntmure}. [Obs.]
Van \Van\, n. [Abbrev. fr. vanguard.]
The front of an army; the first line or leading column; also,
the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in
sailing or in battle.
Standards and gonfalons, twixt van and rear, Stream in
the air. --Milton.
Van \Van\, n. [Cornish.] (Mining)
A shovel used in cleansing ore.
Van \Van\, v. t. (Mining)
To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel.
--Raymond.
Van \Van\, n. [Abbreviated from caravan.]
1. A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen
and others fore the transportation of goods. [Eng.]
2. A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for
conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.
3. A close railway car for baggage. See the Note under {Car},
2. [Eng.]
Van \Van\, n. [L. vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: cf.
F. van. Cf. {Fan}, {Van} a wing {Winnow}.]
1. A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing
grain.
2. [OF. vanne, F. vanneau beam feather (cf. It. vanno a wing)
fr. L. vannus. See Etymology above.] A wing with which the
air is beaten. [Archaic] ``[/Angels] on the air plumy vans
received him. '' --Milton.
He wheeled in air, and stretched his vans in vain;
His vans no longer could his flight sustain.
--Dryden.
Van \Van\, v. t. [Cf. F. vanner to winnow, to fan. See {Van} a
winnowing machine.]
To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Vanadate \Van"a*date\, n. [Cf. F. vanadate.] (Chem.)
A salt of vanadic acid. [Formerly also {vanadiate}.]
Vanadic \Va*nad"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, vanadium; containing
vanadium; specifically distinguished those compounds in which
vanadium has a relatively higher valence as contrasted with
the {vanadious} compounds; as, vanadic oxide.
{Vanadic acid} (Chem.), an acid analogous to phosphoric acid,
not known in the free state but forming a well-known
series of salts.
Vanadinite \Va*nad"i*nite\, n. (Min.)
A mineral occurring in yellowish, and ruby-red hexagonal
crystals. It consist of lead vanadate with a small proportion
of lead chloride.
Vanadious \Va*na"di*ous\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, vanadium; specifically,
designating those compounds in which vanadium has a lower
valence as contrasted with the {vanadic} compounds; as,
vanadious acid. [Sometimes written also {vanadous}.]
Vanadite \Van"a*dite\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of vanadious acid, analogous to a nitrite or a
phosphite.
Vanadium \Va*na"di*um\, n. [NL., fr. Icel. Vanad[=i]s, a surname
of the Scandinavian goddess Freya.] (Chem.)
A rare element of the nitrogen-phosphorus group, found
combined, in vanadates, in certain minerals, and reduced as
an infusible, grayish-white metallic powder. It is
intermediate between the metals and the non-metals, having
both basic and acid properties. Symbol V (or Vd, rarely).
Atomic weight 51.2.
Vanadous \Van"a*dous\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to vanadium; obtained from vanadium; -- said
of an acid containing one equivalent of vanadium and two of
oxygen.
Vanadyl \Van"a*dyl\, n. [Vanadium + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {VO}, regarded as a characterized
residue of certain vanadium compounds.
Van-courier \Van"-cou`ri*er\, n. [F. avant-courrier. See
{Avant}, {Van} of an army, and {Courier}, and cf.
{Avant-courier}, {Vaunt-courier}.]
One sent in advance; an avant-courier; a precursor.
Vandal \Van"dal\, n. [L. Vandalus, Vandalius; of Teutonic
origin, and probably originally signifying, a wanderer. Cf.
{Wander}.]
1. (Anc. Hist.) One of a Teutonic race, formerly dwelling on
the south shore of the Baltic, the most barbarous and
fierce of the northern nations that plundered Rome in the
5th century, notorious for destroying the monuments of art
and literature.
2. Hence, one who willfully destroys or defaces any work of
art or literature.
The Vandals of our isle, Sworn foes to sense and
law. --Cowper.
Vandal \Van"dal\, Vandalic \Van*dal"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Vandals; resembling the Vandals in
barbarism and destructiveness.
Vandalism \Van"dal*ism\, n.
The spirit or conduct of the Vandals; ferocious cruelty;
hostility to the arts and literature, or willful destruction
or defacement of their monuments.
Vandyke \Van*dyke"\ (v[a^]n*d[imac]k"), a.
Of or pertaining to the style of Vandyke the painter; used or
represented by Vandyke. ``His Vandyke dress.'' --Macaulay.
[Written also {Vandyck}.]
{Vandyke brown} (Paint.), a pigment of a deep semitransparent
brown color, supposed to be the color used by Vandyke in
his pictures.
{Vandyke collar} or {cape}, a broad collar or cape of linen
and lace with a deep pointed or scalloped edge, worn lying
on the shoulders; -- so called from its appearance in
pictures by Vandyke.
{Vandyke edge}, an edge having ornamental triangular points.
Vandyke \Van*dyke"\, n.
A picture by Vandyke. Also, a Vandyke collar, or a Vandyke
edge. [Written also {Vandyck}.]
Vandyke \Van*dyke"\, v. t.
fit or furnish with a Vandyke; to form with points or
scallops like a Vandyke. [R.] [Written also {Vandyck}.]
Vane \Vane\, n. [OE. & E. Prov. E. fane weathercock, banner, AS.
fana a banner, flag; akin to D. vaan, G. fahne, OHG. fano
cloth, gund fano flag, Icel. f[=a]ni, Sw. fana, Dan. fane,
Goth. fana cloth, L. pannus, and perhaps to Gr.? a web, ? a
bobbin, spool. Cf. {Fanon}, {Pane} a compartment, panel.]
1. A contrivance attached to some elevated object for the
purpose of showing which way the wind blows; a
weathercock. It is usually a plate or strip of metal, or
slip of wood, often cut into some fanciful form, and
placed upon a perpendicular axis around which it moves
freely.
Aye undiscreet, and changing as a vane. --Chaucer.
2. Any flat, extended surface attached to an axis and moved
by the wind; as, the vane of a windmill; hence, a similar
fixture of any form moved in or by water, air, or other
fluid; as, the vane of a screw propeller, a fan blower, an
anemometer, etc.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The rhachis and web of a feather taken
together.
4. One of the sights of a compass, quadrant, etc.
{Vane of a leveling staff}. (Surv.) Same as {Target}, 3.
Vanessa \Van*es"sa\, n. [Probably from Swift's poem of Cadenus
and Vanessa. See {Vanessa}, in the Dictionary of Noted Names
in Fiction.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of handsomely colored butterflies
belonging to {Vanessa} and allied genera. Many of these
species have the edges of the wings irregularly scalloped.
Vanessian \Van*es"si*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A vanessa.
Vanfess \Van"fess`\, n. [F. avant-foss['e]; avant before +
foss['e] ditch. Cf. {Fosse}.] (Fort.)
A ditch on the outside of the counterscarp, usually full of
water.
Vang \Vang\, n. [D. vangen to catch, seize. See {Fang}.] (Naut.)
A rope to steady the peak of a gaff.
Vanglo \Van"glo\, n. (Bot.)
Benne ({Sesamum orientale}); also, its seeds; -- so called in
the West Indies.
Vanguard \Van"guard`\, n. [For vantguard, avantguard, F.
avant-garde; avant before, fore + garde guard. See {Avant},
{Ab-},{Ante-}, and {Guard}, and cf. {Advance}, {Vamp}, {Van}
of an army, {Vaward}.] (Mil.)
The troops who march in front of an army; the advance guard;
the van.
Vanilla \Va*nil"la\, n. [NL., fr. Sp. vainilla, dim. of Sp.
vaina a sheath, a pod, L. vagina; because its grains, or
seeds, are contained in little pods.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants, natives of
tropical America.
2. The long podlike capsules of {Vanilla planifolia}, and {V.
claviculata}, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable
odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from
them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules,
extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc.
Note: As a medicine, vanilla is supposed to possess powers
analogous to valerian, while, at the same time, it is
far more grateful.
{Cuban vanilla}, a sweet-scented West Indian composite shrub
({Eupatorium Dalea}).
{Vanilla bean}, the long capsule of the vanilla plant.
{Vanilla grass}. Same as {Holy grass}, under {Holy}.
Vanillate \Va*nil"late\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of vanillic acid.
Vanillic \Va*nil"lic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, vanilla or vanillin;
resembling vanillin; specifically, designating an alcohol and
an acid respectively, vanillin being the intermediate
aldehyde.
Vanillin \Va*nil"lin\, n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline aldehyde having a burning taste and
characteristic odor of vanilla. It is extracted from vanilla
pods, and is also obtained by the decomposition of coniferin,
and by the oxidation of eugenol.
Vanilloes \Va*nil"loes\, n. pl.
An inferior kind of vanilla, the pods of {Vanilla Pompona}.
Vanillyl \Va*nil"lyl\, n. [Vanillic + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical characteristic of vanillic alcohol.
Vaniloquence \Va*nil"o*quence\, n. [L. vaniloquentia; vanus vain
+ loquentia talk, loqui to speak.]
Vain or foolish talk. [Obs.]
Vanish \Van"ish\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vanished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vanishing}.] [OE. vanissen, OF. vanir (in comp.): cf. OF.
envanir, esvanir, esvanu["i]r, F. s'['e]vanouir; fr. L. vanus
empty, vain; cf. L. vanescere, evanescere, to vanish. See
{Vain}, and cf. {Evanescent},{-ish}.]
1. To pass from a visible to an invisible state; to go out of
sight; to disappear; to fade; as, vapor vanishes from the
sight by being dissipated; a ship vanishes from the sight
of spectators on land.
The horse vanished . . . out of sight. --Chaucer.
Go; vanish into air; away! --Shak.
The champions vanished from their posts with the
speed of lightning. --Sir W.
Scott.
Gliding from the twilight past to vanish among
realities. --Hawthorne.
2. To be annihilated or lost; to pass away. ``All these
delights will vanish.'' --Milton.
Vanish \Van"ish\, n. (Phon.)
The brief terminal part of vowel or vocal element, differing
more or less in quality from the main part; as, a as in ale
ordinarily ends with a vanish of i as in ill, o as in old
with a vanish of oo as in foot. --Rush.
Note: The vanish is included by Mr. Bell under the general
term glide.
Vanishing \Van"ish*ing\,
a. & n. from {Vanish}, v.
{Vanishing fraction} (Math.), a fraction which reduces to the
form 0/0 for a particular value of the variable which
enters it, usually in consequence of the existence of a
common factor in both terms of the fraction, which factor
becomes 0 for this particular value of the variable.
--Math. Dict.
{Vanishing line} (Persp.), the intersection of the parallel
of any original plane and picture; one of the lines
converging to the vanishing point.
{Vanishing point} (Persp.), the point to which all parallel
lines in the same plane tend in the representation.
--Gwilt.
{Vanishing stress} (Phon.), stress of voice upon the closing
portion of a syllable. --Rush.
Vanishment \Van"ish*ment\, n.
A vanishing. [Obs.]
Vanity \Van"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Vanities}. [OE. vanite, vanit['e],
L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See {Vain}.]
1. The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to
satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness;
falsity.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of
vanities; all is vanity. --Eccl. i. 2.
Here I may well show the vanity of that which is
reported in the story of Walsingham. --Sir J.
Davies.
2. An inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride
inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal
attainments or decorations; an excessive desire for notice
or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit.
The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was
galled. --Macaulay.
3. That which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or
unsubstantial; fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor
productive of no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle
show; unsubstantial enjoyment.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. --Eccl. i.
2.
Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the
certainty of things to come. --Sir P.
Sidney.
[Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men.
--Milton.
Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled,
That all her vanities at once are dead; Succeeding
vanities she still regards. --Pope.
4. One of the established characters in the old moralities
and puppet shows. See {Morality}, n., 5.
You . . . take vanity the puppet's part. --Shak.
Syn: Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness;
self-sufficiency. See {Egotism}, and {Pride}.
Vanjas \Van"jas\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Australian pied crow shrike ({Strepera graculina}). It is
glossy bluish black, with the under tail coverts and the tips
and bases of the tail feathers white.
Vanner \Van"ner\, n. (Mining)
A machine for concentrating ore. See {Frue vanner}.
Vanner hawk \Van"ner hawk`\
The kestrel. [Prov. Eng.]
Vanning \Van"ning\, n. (Mining)
A process by which ores are washed on a shovel, or in a
vanner.
Vanquish \Van"quish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vanquished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vanquishing}.] [OE. venquishen, venquissen,
venkisen,F. vaincre, pret. vainquis, OF. veintre, pret.
venqui, venquis (cf. an OF. infin. vainquir), fr. L. vincere;
akin to AS. w[=i]g war, battle, w[=i]gant a warrior, w[=i]gan
to fight, Icel. v[=i]g battle, Goth. weihan to fight,
contend. Cf. {Convince}, {Evict}, {Invincible}, {Victor}.]
1. To conquer, overcome, or subdue in battle, as an enemy.
--Hakluyt.
They . . . Vanquished the rebels in all encounters.
--Clarendon.
2. Hence, to defeat in any contest; to get the better of; to
put down; to refute.
This bold assertion has been fully vanquished in a
late reply to the Bishop of Meaux's treatise.
--Atterbury.
For e'en though vanquished, he could argue still.
--Goldsmith.
Syn: To conquer; surmount; overcome; confute; silence. See
{Conquer}.
Vanquish \Van"quish\, n. (Far.)
A disease in sheep, in which they pine away. [Written also
{vinquish}.]
Vanquishable \Van"quish*a*ble\, a.
That may be vanquished.
Vanquisher \Van"quish*er\, n.
One who, or that which, vanquishes. --Milton.
Vanquishment \Van"quish*ment\, n.
The act of vanquishing, or the state of being vanquished.
--Bp. Hall.
Vansire \Van"sire\, n. [The native name: cf. F. vansire.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An ichneumon ({Herpestes galera}) native of Southern Africa
and Madagascar. It is reddish brown or dark brown, grizzled
with white. Called also {vondsira}, and {marsh ichneumon}.
Vant \Vant\, v. i.
See {Vaunt}. [Obs.]
Vantage \Van"tage\ (v[.a]n"t[asl]j; 48), n. [Aphetic form of OE.
avantage, fr. F. avantage. See {Advantage}.]
1. superior or more favorable situation or opportunity; gain;
profit; advantage. [R.]
O happy vantage of a kneeling knee! --Shak.
2. (Lawn Tennis) The first point after deuce.
Note: When the server wins this point, it is called vantage
in; when the receiver, or striker out, wins, it is
called vantage out.
{To have at vantage}, to have the advantage of; to be in a
more favorable condition than. ``He had them at vantage,
being tired and harassed with a long march.'' --Bacon.
{Vantage ground}, superiority of state or place; the place or
condition which gives one an advantage over another. ``The
vantage ground of truth. --Bacon.
It is these things that give him his actual
standing, and it is from this vantage ground that he
looks around him. --I. Taylor.
Vantage \Van"tage\, v. t.
To profit; to aid. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vantbrace \Vant"brace\, Vantbrass \Vant"brass\, n. [F. avant
fore + bras arm: cf. F. brassard armor for the arm, brace,
forearm. Cf. {Vambrace}.] (Anc. Armor)
Armor for the arm; vambrace. --Milton.
Vant-courier \Vant"-cou`ri*er\, n.
An avant-courier. See {Van-courier}. [Obs.] --Holland.
Vanward \Van"ward\, a.
Being on, or towards, the van, or front. ``The vanward
frontier.'' --De Quincey.
Vap \Vap\ (v[a^]p), n. [See {Vapid}.]
That which is vapid, insipid, or lifeless; especially, the
lifeless part of liquor or wine. [Obs.]
In vain it is to wash a goblet, if you mean to put into
it nothing but the dead lees and vap of wine. --Jer.
Taylor.
Vapid \Vap"id\, a. [L. vapidus having lost its lire and spirit,
vapid; akin to vappa vapid wine, vapor vapor. See {Vapor}.]
Having lost its life and spirit; dead; spiritless; insipid;
flat; dull; unanimated; as, vapid beer; a vapid speech; a
vapid state of the blood.
A cheap, bloodless reformation, a guiltless liberty,
appear flat and vapid to their taste. --Burke.
-- {Vap"id*ly}, adv. -- {Vap"id*ness}, n.
Vapidity \Va*pid"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vapid; vapidness.
Vapor \Va"por\, n. [OE. vapour, OF. vapour, vapor, vapeur, F.
vapeur, L. vapor; probably for cvapor, and akin to Gr. ?
smoke, ? to breathe forth, Lith. kvepti to breathe, smell,
Russ. kopote fine soot. Cf. {Vapid}.] [Written also
{vapour}.]
1. (Physics) Any substance in the gaseous, or a["e]riform,
state, the condition of which is ordinarily that of a
liquid or solid.
Note: The term vapor is sometimes used in a more extended
sense, as identical with gas; and the difference
between the two is not so much one of kind as of
degree, the latter being applied to all permanently
elastic fluids except atmospheric air, the former to
those elastic fluids which lose that condition at
ordinary temperatures. The atmosphere contains more or
less vapor of water, a portion of which, on a reduction
of temperature, becomes condensed into liquid water in
the form of rain or dew. The vapor of water produced by
boiling, especially in its economic relations, is
called steam.
Vapor is any substance in the gaseous condition
at the maximum of density consistent with that
condition. This is the strict and proper meaning
of the word vapor. --Nichol.
2. In a loose and popular sense, any visible diffused
substance floating in the atmosphere and impairing its
transparency, as smoke, fog, etc.
The vapour which that fro the earth glood [glided].
--Chaucer.
Fire and hail; snow and vapors; stormy wind
fulfilling his word. --Ps. cxlviii.
8.
3. Wind; flatulence. [Obs.] --Bacon.
4. Something unsubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal
fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting.
For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away. --James iv.
14.
5. pl. An old name for hypochondria, or melancholy; the
blues. ``A fit of vapors.'' --Pope.
6. (Pharm.) A medicinal agent designed for administration in
the form of inhaled vapor. --Brit. Pharm.
{Vapor bath}.
(a) A bath in vapor; the application of vapor to the body,
or part of it, in a close place; also, the place
itself.
(b) (Chem.) A small metallic drying oven, usually of
copper, for drying and heating filter papers,
precipitates, etc.; -- called also {air bath}. A
modified form is provided with a jacket in the outside
partition for holding water, or other volatile liquid,
by which the temperature may be limited exactly to the
required degree.
{Vapor burner}, a burner for burning a vaporized hydrocarbon.
{Vapor density} (Chem.), the relative weight of gases and
vapors as compared with some specific standard, usually
hydrogen, but sometimes air. The vapor density of gases
and vaporizable substances as compared with hydrogen, when
multiplied by two, or when compared with air and
multiplied by 28.8, gives the molecular weight.
{Vapor engine}, an engine worked by the expansive force of a
vapor, esp. a vapor other than steam.
Vapor \Va"por\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vapored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vaporing}.] [From {Vapor}, n.: cf. L. vaporare.] [Written
also {vapour}.]
1. To pass off in fumes, or as a moist, floating substance,
whether visible or invisible, to steam; to be exhaled; to
evaporate.
2. To emit vapor or fumes. [R.]
Running waters vapor not so much as standing waters.
--Bacon.
3. To talk idly; to boast or vaunt; to brag.
Poets used to vapor much after this manner.
--Milton.
We vapor and say, By this time Matthews has beaten
them. --Walpole.
Vapor \Va"por\, v. t.
To send off in vapor, or as if in vapor; as, to vapor away a
heated fluid. [Written also {vapour}.]
He'd laugh to see one throw his heart away, Another,
sighing, vapor forth his soul. --B. Jonson.
Vaporability \Vap`o*ra*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vaporable.
Vaporable \Vap"o*ra*ble\, a.
Capable of being converted into vapor by the agency of heat;
vaporizable.
Vaporate \Vap"o*rate\, v. i. [L. vaporare, vaporatum. See
{Vapor}.]
To emit vapor; to evaporate. [R.]
Vaporation \Vap`o*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. vaporation, L.
vaporatio.]
The act or process of converting into vapor, or of passing
off in vapor; evaporation. [R.]
Vapored \Va"pored\, a.
1. Wet with vapors; moist.
2. Affected with the vapors. See {Vapor}, n., 5.
Vaporer \Va"por*er\, n.
One who vapors; a braggart.
{Vaporer moth}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Orgyia}.
Vaporiferous \Vap`o*rif"er*ous\, a. [L. vaporifer; vapor + ferre
to bear.]
Conveying or producing vapor.
Vaporific \Vap`o*rif"ic\, a. [L. vapor vapor + facere to make.]
(Chem.)
Producing vapor; tending to pass, or to cause to pass, into
vapor; thus, volatile fluids are vaporific; heat is a
vaporific agent.
Vaporiform \Va*por"i*form\, a.
Existing in a vaporous form or state; as, steam is a
vaporiform substance.
Vaporimeter \Vap`o*rim"e*ter\, n. [Vapor + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the volume or the tension of any
vapor; specifically, an instrument of this sort used as an
alcoholometer in testing spirituous liquors.
Vaporing \Va"por*ing\, a.
Talking idly; boasting; vaunting. -- {Va"por*ing*ly}, adv.
Vaporish \Va"por*ish\, a.
1. Full of vapors; vaporous.
2. Hypochondriacal; affected by hysterics; splenetic;
peevish; humorsome.
Pallas grew vap'rish once and odd. --Pope.
Vaporizable \Vap"o*ri`za*ble\ (?; 110), a.
Capable of being vaporized into vapor.
Vaporization \Vap`o*ri*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. vaporisation.]
The act or process of vaporizing, or the state of being
converted into vapor; the artificial formation of vapor;
specifically, the conversion of water into steam, as in a
steam boiler.
Vaporize \Vap"o*rize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vaporized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vaporizing}.] [Cf. F. vaporiser.]
To convert into vapor, as by the application of heat, whether
naturally or artificially.
{Vaporizing surface}. (Steam Boilers) See {Evaporating
surface}, under {Evaporate}, v. t.
Vaporize \Vap"o*rize\, v. i.
To pass off in vapor.
Vaporizer \Vap"o*ri`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, vaporizes, or converts into vapor.
Vaporose \Va"por*ose`\, a.
Full of vapor; vaporous.
Vaporous \Va"por*ous\, a. [L. vaporosus: cf. vaporeux.]
1. Having the form or nature of vapor. --Holland.
2. Full of vapors or exhalations. --Shak.
The warmer and more vaporous air of the valleys.
--Derham.
3. Producing vapors; hence, windy; flatulent. --Bacon.
The food which is most vaporous and perspirable is
the most easily digested. --Arbuthnot.
4. Unreal; unsubstantial; vain; whimsical.
Such vaporous speculations were inevitable.
--Carlyle.
Vaporousness \Va"por*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being vaporous.
Vapory \Va"por*y\, a.
1. Full of vapors; vaporous.
2. Hypochondriacal; splenetic; peevish.
Vapulation \Vap`u*la"tion\, n. [L. vapulare to be ?ogged.]
The act of beating or whipping. [Obs.]
Vaquero \Va*que"ro\, n. [Sp., cowherd, fr. vaca a cow, L. vacca.
Cf. {Vacher}.]
One who has charge of cattle, horses, etc.; a herdsman.
[Southwestern U. S.]
Vara \Va"ra\, n. [Sp. See 1st {Vare}.]
A Spanish measure of length equal to about one yard. The vara
now in use equals 33.385 inches. --Johnson's Cyc.
Varan \Va"ran\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The monitor. See {Monitor}, 3.
Varangian \Va*ran"gi*an\, n.
One of the Northmen who founded a dynasty in Russia in the
9th century; also, one of the Northmen composing, at a later
date, the imperial bodyguard at Constantinople.
Varanus \Va*ra"nus\, n. [NL., fr. Ar. waran, waral; cf. F.
varan, from the Arabic.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of very large lizards native of Asia and Africa. It
includes the monitors. See {Monitor}, 3.
Vare \Vare\, n. [Sp. vara staff, wand, L. vara forked pole.]
A wand or staff of authority or justice. [Obs.]
His hand a vare of justice did uphold. --Dryden.
Vare \Vare\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A weasel. [Prov. Eng.]
{Vare widgeon} (Zo["o]l.), a female or young male of the
smew; a weasel duck; -- so called from the resemblance of
the head to that of a vare, or weasel. [Prov. Eng.]
Varec \Var"ec\, n. [F. varech; of Teutonic origin. See {Wrack}
seaweed, wreck.]
The calcined ashes of any coarse seaweed used for the
manufacture of soda and iodine; also, the seaweed itself;
fucus; wrack.
Vari \Va"ri\, n. [Cf. F. vari.] (Zo["o]l.)
The ringtailed lemur ({Lemur catta}) of Madagascar. Its long
tail is annulated with black and white.
Variability \Va`ri*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. variabilit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being variable; variableness.
2. (Biol.) The power possessed by living organisms, both
animal and vegetable, of adapting themselves to
modifications or changes in their environment, thus
possibly giving rise to ultimate variation of structure or
function.
Variable \Va"ri*a*ble\, a. [L. variabilis: cf. F. variable.]
1. Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of
alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds
or seasons; a variable quantity.
2. Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable;
fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men
are variable; passions are variable.
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. --Shak.
His heart, I know, how variable and vain! --Milton.
{Variable exhaust} (Steam Eng.), a blast pipe with an
adjustable opening.
{Variable quantity} (Math.), a variable.
{Variable stars} (Astron.), fixed stars which vary in their
brightness, usually in more or less uniform periods.
Syn: Changeable; mutable; fickle; wavering; unsteady;
versatile; inconstant.
Variable \Va"ri*a*ble\, n.
1. That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject
to change.
2. (Math.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a
quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in
the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the
equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, x and y are variables.
3. (Naut.)
(a) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
(b) pl. Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not
expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind
belts.
{Independent variable} (Math.), that one of two or more
variables, connected with each other in any way whatever,
to which changes are supposed to be given at will. Thus,
in the equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, if arbitrary
changes are supposed to be given to x, then x is the
independent variable, and y is called a function of x.
There may be two or more independent variables in an
equation or problem. Cf. {Dependent variable}, under
{Dependent}.
Variableness \Va"ri*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being variable; variability. --James
i. 17.
Variably \Va"ri*a*bly\, adv.
In a variable manner.
Variance \Va"ri*ance\, n. [L. variantia.]
1. The quality or state of being variant; change of
condition; variation.
2. Difference that produce dispute or controversy;
disagreement; dissension; discord; dispute; quarrel.
That which is the strength of their amity shall
prove the immediate author of their variance.
--Shak.
3. (Law) A disagreement or difference between two parts of
the same legal proceeding, which, to be effectual, ought
to agree, -- as between the writ and the declaration, or
between the allegation and the proof. --Bouvier.
{A variance}, in disagreement; in a state of dissension or
controversy; at enmity. ``What cause brought him so soon
at variance with himself?'' --Milton.
Variant \Va"ri*ant\, a. [L. varians, p. pr. of variare to
change: cf. F. variant. See {Vary}.]
1. Varying in from, character, or the like; variable;
different; diverse.
2. Changeable; changing; fickle. [Obs.]
He is variant, he abit [abides] nowhere. --Chaucer.
Variant \Va"ri*ant\, n. [Cf. F. variante.]
Something which differs in form from another thing, though
really the same; as, a variant from a type in natural
history; a variant of a story or a word.
Variate \Va"ri*ate\, v. t. & i. [L. variatus, p. p. of variare.
See {Vary}.]
To alter; to make different; to vary.
Variation \Va`ri*a"tion\, n. [OE. variatioun, F. variation, L.
variatio. See {Vary}.]
1. The act of varying; a partial change in the form,
position, state, or qualities of a thing; modification;
alternation; mutation; diversity; deviation; as, a
variation of color in different lights; a variation in
size; variation of language.
The essences of things are conceived not capable of
any such variation. --Locke.
2. Extent to which a thing varies; amount of departure from a
position or state; amount or rate of change.
3. (Gram.) Change of termination of words, as in declension,
conjugation, derivation, etc.
4. (Mus.) Repetition of a theme or melody with fanciful
embellishments or modifications, in time, tune, or
harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation of a
musical thought in new and varied aspects, yet so that the
essential features of the original shall still preserve
their identity.
5. (Alg.) One of the different arrangements which can be made
of any number of quantities taking a certain number of
them together.
{Annual variation} (Astron.), the yearly change in the right
ascension or declination of a star, produced by the
combined effects of the precession of the equinoxes and
the proper motion of the star.
{Calculus of variations}. See under {Calculus}.
{Variation compass}. See under {Compass}.
{Variation of the moon} (Astron.), an inequality of the
moon's motion, depending on the angular distance of the
moon from the sun. It is greater at the octants, and zero
at the quadratures.
{Variation of the needle} (Geog. & Naut.), the angle included
between the true and magnetic meridians of a place; the
deviation of the direction of a magnetic needle from the
true north and south line; -- called also {declination of
the needle}.
Syn: Change; vicissitude; variety; deviation.
Varicella \Var`i*cel"la\, n. [NL., dim. of LL. variola
smallpox.] (Med.)
Chicken pox.
Varices \Var"i*ces\, n. pl.
See {Varix}.
Variciform \Va*ric"i*form\, a. [Varix + -form.] (Med.)
Resembling a varix.
Varicocele \Var"i*co*cele\, n. [Varix a dilated vein + Gr. ?
tumor: cf. F. varicoc[`e]le.] (Med.)
A varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord;
also, a like enlargement of the veins of the scrotum.
Varicose \Var"i*cose`\ (?; 277), a. [L. varicosus, from varix,
-icis, a dilated vein; cf. varus bent, stretched, crooked.]
1. Irregularly swollen or enlarged; affected with, or
containing, varices, or varicosities; of or pertaining to
varices, or varicosities; as, a varicose nerve fiber; a
varicose vein; varicose ulcers.
2. (Med.) Intended for the treatment of varicose veins; --
said of elastic stockings, bandages. and the like.
Varicosity \Var`i*cos"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or state of being varicose.
2. An enlargement or swelling in a vessel, fiber, or the
like; a varix; as, the varicosities of nerve fibers.
Varicous \Var"i*cous\, a.
Varicose. [Obs.]
Varied \Va"ried\, a.
Changed; altered; various; diversified; as, a varied
experience; varied interests; varied scenery. --
{Va"ried*ly}, adv.
The varied fields of science, ever new. --Cowper.
Variegate \Va"ri*e*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Variegated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Variegating}.] [L. variegatus, p. p. of
variegare to variegate; varius various + agere to move, make.
See {Various}, and {Agent}.]
To diversify in external appearance; to mark with different
colors; to dapple; to streak; as, to variegate a floor with
marble of different colors.
The shells are filled with a white spar, which
variegates and adds to the beauty of the stone.
--Woodward.
Variegated \Va"ri*e*ga`ted\, a.
Having marks or patches of different colors; as, variegated
leaves, or flowers.
Ladies like variegated tulips show. --Pope.
Variegation \Va`ri*e*ga"tion\, n.
The act of variegating or diversifying, or the state of being
diversified, by different colors; diversity of colors.
Varier \Va"ri*er\, n. [From {Vary}.]
A wanderer; one who strays in search of variety. [Poetic]
Pious variers from the church. --Tennyson.
Varietal \Va*ri"e*tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a variety; characterizing a variety;
constituting a variety, in distinction from an individual or
species.
Perplexed in determining what differences to consider
as specific, and what as varietal. --Darwin.
Varietas \Va*ri"e*tas\, n. [L.]
A variety; -- used in giving scientific names, and often
abbreviated to var.
Variety \Va*ri"e*ty\, n.; pl. {Varieties}. [L. varietas: cf. F.
vari['e]t['e]. See {Various}.]
1. The quality or state of being various; intermixture or
succession of different things; diversity;
multifariousness.
Variety is nothing else but a continued novelty.
--South.
The variety of colors depends upon the composition
of light. --Sir I.
Newton.
For earth this variety from heaven. --Milton.
There is a variety in the tempers of good men.
--Atterbury.
2. That which is various. Specifically:
(a) A number or collection of different things; a varied
assortment; as, a variety of cottons and silks.
He . . . wants more time to do that variety of
good which his soul thirsts after. --Law.
(b) Something varying or differing from others of the same
general kind; one of a number of things that are akin;
a sort; as, varieties of wood, land, rocks, etc.
(c) (Biol.) An individual, or group of individuals, of a
species differing from the rest in some one or more of
the characteristics typical of the species, and
capable either of perpetuating itself for a period, or
of being perpetuated by artificial means; hence, a
subdivision, or peculiar form, of a species.
Note: Varieties usually differ from species in that any two,
however unlike, will generally propagate indefinitely
(unless they are in their nature unfertile, as some
varieties of rose and other cultivated plants); in
being a result of climate, food, or other extrinsic
conditions or influences, but generally by a sudden,
rather than a gradual, development; and in tending in
many cases to lose their distinctive peculiarities when
the individuals are left to a state of nature, and
especially if restored to the conditions that are
natural to typical individuals of the species. Many
varieties of domesticated animals and of cultivated
plants have been directly produced by man.
(d) In inorganic nature, one of those forms in which a
species may occur, which differ in minor
characteristics of structure, color, purity of
composition, etc.
Note: These may be viewed as variations from the typical
species in its most perfect and purest form, or, as is
more commonly the case, all the forms, including the
latter, may rank as Varieties. Thus, the sapphire is a
blue variety, and the ruby a red variety, of corundum;
again, calcite has many Varieties differing in form and
structure, as Iceland spar, dogtooth spar, satin spar,
and also others characterized by the presence of small
quantities of magnesia, iron, manganese, etc. Still
again, there are Varieties of granite differing in
structure, as graphic granite, porphyritic granite, and
other Varieties differing in composition, as albitic
granite, hornblendic, or syenitic, granite, etc.
{Geographical variety} (Biol.), a variety of any species
which is coincident with a geographical region, and is
usually dependent upon, or caused by, peculiarities of
climate.
{Variety hybrid} (Biol.), a cross between two individuals of
different varieties of the same species; a mongrel.
Syn: Diversity; difference; kind.
Usage: {Variety}, {Diversity}. A man has a variety of
employments when he does many things which are not a
mere repetition of the same act; he has a diversity of
employments when the several acts performed are unlike
each other, that is, diverse. In most cases, where
there is variety there will be more or less of
diversity, but not always. One who sells railroad
tickets performs a great variety of acts in a day,
while there is but little diversity in his employment.
All sorts are here that all the earth yields!
Variety without end. --Milton.
But see in all corporeal nature's scene, What
changes, what diversities, have been!
--Blackmore.
Variform \Va"ri*form\, a. [L. varius various + -form.]
Having different shapes or forms.
Variformed \Va"ri*formed\, a.
Formed with different shapes; having various forms; variform.
Varify \Va"ri*fy\, v. t. [L. varius various + -fly.]
To make different; to vary; to variegate. [R.] --Sylvester.
Variola \Va*ri"o*la\, n. [LL., fr. L. varius various. See
{Various}.] (Med.)
The smallpox.
Variolar \Va*ri"o*lar\, a. (Med.)
Variolous.
Variolation \Va`ri*o*la"tion\, n. (Med.)
Inoculation with smallpox.
Variolic \Va`ri*ol"ic\, a. (Med.)
Variolous.
Variolite \Va"ri*o*lite\, n. [L. varius various + -lite: cf. F.
variolite.] (Geol.)
A kind of diorite or diabase containing imbedded whitish
spherules, which give the rock a spotted appearance.
Variolitic \Va`ri*o*lit"ic\, a. [From {Variola}.]
1. Thickly marked with small, round specks; spotted.
2. (Geol.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, variolite.
Varioloid \Va"ri*o*loid\ (?; 277), a. [Variola + -oid: cf. F.
variolo["i]de.] (Med.)
Resembling smallpox; pertaining to the disease called
varioloid.
Varioloid \Va"ri*o*loid\, n. [Cf. F. variolo["i]de. See
{Varioloid}, a.] (Med.)
The smallpox as modified by previous inoculation or
vaccination.
Note: It is almost always a milder disease than smallpox, and
this circumstance, with its shorter duration, exhibits
the salutary effects of previous vaccination or
inoculation. --Dunglison.
Variolous \Va*ri"o*lous\, a. [LL. variolosus, fr. variola the
smallpox: cf. F. varioleux.] (Med.)
Of or pertaining to the smallpox; having pits, or sunken
impressions, like those of the smallpox; variolar; variolic.
Variorum \Va`ri*o"rum\, a. [L., abbrev. fr. cum notis variorum
with notes of various persons.]
Containing notes by different persons; -- applied to a
publication; as, a variorum edition of a book.
Various \Va"ri*ous\, a. [L. varius. Cf. {Vair}.]
1. Different; diverse; several; manifold; as, men of various
names; various occupations; various colors.
So many and so various laws are given. --Milton.
A wit as various, gay, grave, sage, or wild.
--Byron.
2. Changeable; uncertain; inconstant; variable.
A man so various, that he seemed to be Not one, but
all mankind's epitome. --Dryden.
The names of mixed modes . . . are very various.
--Locke.
3. Variegated; diversified; not monotonous.
A happy rural seat of various view. --Milton.
Variously \Va"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
In various or different ways.
Variscite \Var"is*cite\, n. [So called from Variscia in
Germany.] (Min.)
An apple-green mineral occurring in reniform masses. It is a
hydrous phosphate of alumina.
Varisse \Va*risse"\, n. [Cf. F. varice varix. Cf. {Varix}.]
(Far.)
An imperfection on the inside of the hind leg in horses,
different from a curb, but at the same height, and frequently
injuring the sale of the animal by growing to an unsightly
size. --Craig.
Varix \Va"rix\, n.; pl. {Varices}. [L.]
1. (Med.) A uneven, permanent dilatation of a vein.
Note: Varices are owing to local retardation of the venous
circulation, and in some cases to relaxation of the
parietes of the veins. They are very common in the
superficial veins of the lower limbs. --Dunglison.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the prominent ridges or ribs extending
across each of the whorls of certain univalve shells.
Note: The varices usually indicate stages of growth, each one
showing a former position of the outer lip of the
aperture.
Vark \Vark\, n. [D. varken a pig.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bush hog, or boshvark.
Varlet \Var"let\, n. [OF. varlet, vaslet, vallet, servant, young
man, young noble, dim of vassal. See {Vassal}, and cf.
{Valet}.]
1. A servant, especially to a knight; an attendant; a valet;
a footman. [Obs.] --Spenser. Tusser.
2. Hence, a low fellow; a scoundrel; a rascal; as, an
impudent varlet.
What a brazen-faced varlet art thou ! --Shak.
3. In a pack of playing cards, the court card now called the
knave, or jack. [Obs.]
Varletry \Var"let*ry\, n. [Cf. OF. valeterie the young unmarried
nobles.]
The rabble; the crowd; the mob.
Shall they hoist me up, And show me to the shouting
varletry Of censuring Rome. --Shak.
Varnish \Var"nish\, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium;
akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to
glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See
{Vitreous}.]
1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous
matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a
brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries,
either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous
part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful
gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree,
the influences of air and moisture.
Note: According to the sorts of solvents employed, the
ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three
classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes.
--Encyc. Brit
2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
artificially; a glossy appearance.
The varnish of the holly and ivy. --Macaulay.
3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any
act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman
gave you. --Shak.
{Varnish tree} (Bot.), a tree or shrub from the juice or
resin of which varnish is made, as some species of the
genus {Rhus}, especially {R. vernicifera} of Japan. The
black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the
{Melanorrh[oe]a usitatissima}, a tall East Indian tree of
the Cashew family. See {Copal}, and {Mastic}.
Varnish \Var"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Varnishing}.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
{Varnish}, n.]
1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces,
when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table;
to varnish a painting.
2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair
appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss
over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. ``Beauty doth
varnish age.'' --Shak.
Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.
Cato's voice was ne'er employed To clear the guilty
and to varnish crimes. --Addison.
Varnisher \Var"nish*er\, n.
1. One who varnishes; one whose occupation is to varnish.
2. One who disguises or palliates; one who gives a fair
external appearance. --Pope.
Varnishing \Var"nish*ing\, n.
The act of laying on varnish; also, materials for varnish.
Vartabed \Var"ta*bed\, n. [Armen., a doctor, master, preceptor.]
(Eccl.)
A doctor or teacher in the Armenian church. Members of this
order of ecclesiastics frequently have charge of dioceses,
with episcopal functions.
Varuna \Va*ru"na\ (v[.a]*r[udd]"n[.a]), n. [Skr. Varu[.n]a.]
(Hindu Myth.)
The god of the waters; the Indian Neptune. He is regarded as
regent of the west, and lord of punishment, and is
represented as riding on a sea monster, holding in his hand a
snaky cord or noose with which to bind offenders, under
water.
Varvel \Var"vel\, n. [F. vervelle.]
In falconry, one of the rings secured to the ends of the
jesses. [Written also {vervel}.]
Varveled \Var"veled\, a.
Having varvels, or rings. [Written also {varvelled}, and
{vervelled}.]
Note: In heraldry, when the jesses attached to the legs of
hawks hang loose, or have pendent ends with rings at
the tips, the blazon is a hawk (or a hawk's leg) jessed
and varveled.
Vary \Va"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Varying}.] [OE. varien, F. varier, L. variare, fr. varius
various. See {Various}, and cf. {Variate}.]
1. To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance,
substance, position, or the like; to make different by a
partial change; to modify; as, to vary the properties,
proportions, or nature of a thing; to vary a posture or an
attitude; to vary one's dress or opinions.
Shall we vary our device at will, Even as new
occasion appears? --Spenser.
2. To change to something else; to transmute; to exchange; to
alternate.
Gods, that never change their state, Vary oft their
love and hate. --Waller.
We are to vary the customs according to the time and
country where the scene of action lies. --Dryden.
3. To make of different kinds; to make different from one
another; to diversity; to variegate.
God hath varied their inclinations. --Sir T.
Browne.
God hath here Varied his bounty so with new
delights. --Milton.
4. (Mus.) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present
under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See
{Variation}, 4.
Vary \Va"ry\, v. i.
1. To alter, or be altered, in any manner; to suffer a
partial change; to become different; to be modified; as,
colors vary in different lights.
That each from other differs, first confess; Next,
that he varies from himself no less. --Pope.
2. To differ, or be different; to be unlike or diverse; as,
the laws of France vary from those of England.
3. To alter or change in succession; to alternate; as, one
mathematical quantity varies inversely as another.
While fear and anger, with alternate grace, Pant in
her breast, and vary in her face. --Addison.
4. To deviate; to depart; to swerve; -- followed by from; as,
to vary from the law, or from reason. -- Locke.
5. To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension; as, men
vary in opinion.
The rich jewel which we vary for. --Webster
(1623).
Vary \Va"ry\, n.
Alteration; change. [Obs.] --Shak.
Varying \Va"ry*ing\,
a. & n. from {Vary}.
{Varying hare} (Zo["o]l.), any hare or rabbit which becomes
white in winter, especially the common hare of the
Northern United States and Canada.
Vas \Vas\, n.; pl. {Vasa}. [L., a vessel. See {Vase}.] (Anat.)
A vessel; a duct.
{Vas deferens}; pl. {Vasa deferentia}. [L. vas vessel +
deferens carrying down.] (Anat.) The excretory duct of a
testicle; a spermatic duct.
Vascular \Vas"cu*lar\, a. [L. vasculum a small vessel, dim. of
vas vessel: cf. F. vasculaire. See {Vase}, and cf. Vessel.]
1. (Biol.)
(a) Consisting of, or containing, vessels as an essential
part of a structure; full of vessels; specifically
(Bot.), pertaining to, or containing, special ducts,
or tubes, for the circulation of sap.
(b) Operating by means of, or made up of an arrangement
of, vessels; as, the vascular system in animals,
including the arteries, veins, capillaries, lacteals,
etc.
(c) Of or pertaining to the vessels of animal and
vegetable bodies; as, the vascular functions.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the higher division of plants,
that is, the ph[ae]nogamous plants, all of which are
vascular, in distinction from the cryptogams, which to a
large extent are cellular only.
{Vascular plants} (Bot.), plants composed in part of vascular
tissue, as all flowering plants and the higher
cryptogamous plants, or those of the class {Pteridophyta}.
Cf. {Cellular plants}, {Cellular}.
{Vascular system} (Bot.), the body of associated ducts and
woody fiber; the fibrovascular part of plants.
{Vascular tissue} (Bot.), vegetable tissue composed partly of
ducts, or sap tubes.
{Water vascular system} (Zo["o]l.), a system of vessels in
annelids, nemerteans, and many other invertebrates,
containing a circulating fluid analogous to blood, but not
of the same composition. In annelids the fluid which they
contain is usually red, but in some it is green, in others
yellow, or whitish.
Vascularity \Vas`cu*lar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Vascularities}. (Biol.)
The quality or state of being vascular.
Vasculose \Vas"cu*lose`\, n. (Bot.)
One of the substances of which vegetable tissue is composed,
differing from cellulose in its solubility in certain media.
Vasculum \Vas"cu*lum\, n.; pl. {Vascula}. [L., a small vessel.]
1. (Bot.) Same as {Ascidium}, n., 1.
2. A tin box, commonly cylindrical or flattened, used in
collecting plants.
Vase \Vase\ (v[=a]s or v[aum]z; 277), n. [F. vase; cf. Sp. & It.
vaso; fr. L. vas, vasum. Cf. {Vascular}, {Vessel}.]
1. A vessel adapted for various domestic purposes, and
anciently for sacrificial uses; especially, a vessel of
antique or elegant pattern used for ornament; as, a
porcelain vase; a gold vase; a Grecian vase. See Illust.
of {Portland vase}, under {Portland}.
No chargers then were wrought in burnished gold, Nor
silver vases took the forming mold. --Pope.
2. (Arch.)
(a) A vessel similar to that described in the first
definition above, or the representation of one in a
solid block of stone, or the like, used for an
ornament, as on a terrace or in a garden. See Illust.
of {Niche}.
(b) The body, or naked ground, of the Corinthian and
Composite capital; -- called also {tambour}, and
{drum}.
Note: Until the time of Walker (1791), vase was made to rhyme
with base,, case, etc., and it is still commonly so
pronounced in the United States. Walker made it to
rhyme with phrase, maze, etc. Of modern English
practice, Mr. A. J. Ellis (1874) says: ``Vase has four
pronunciations in English: v[add]z, which I most
commonly say, is going out of use, v["a]z I hear most
frequently, v[=a]z very rarely, and v[=a]s I only know
from Cull's marking. On the analogy of case, however,
it should be the regular sound.''
3. (Bot.) The calyx of a plant.
Vaseline \Vas"e*line\, n. [Said by the manufacturer to be
derived from G. wasser water + Gr. 'e`laion olive oil.]
A yellowish translucent substance, almost odorless and
tasteless, obtained as a residue in the purification of crude
petroleum, and consisting essentially of a mixture of several
of the higher members of the paraffin series. It is used as
an unguent, and for various purposes in the arts. See the
Note under {Petrolatum}. [Written also {vaselin}.]
Vase-shaped \Vase"-shaped`\, a.
Formed like a vase, or like a common flowerpot.
Vasiform \Vas"i*form\, a. [L. vas a vessel + -form.] (Biol.)
Having the form of a vessel, or duct.
{Vasiform tissue} (Bot.), tissue containing vessels, or
ducts.
Vasoconstrictor \Vas`o*con*strict"or\, a. (Physiol.)
Causing constriction of the blood vessels; as, the
vasoconstrictor nerves, stimulation of which causes
constriction of the blood vessels to which they go. These
nerves are also called {vasohypertonic}.
Vasodentine \Vas`o*den"tine\, n. [L. vas a vessel + E. dentine.]
(Anat.)
A modified form of dentine, which is permeated by blood
capillaries; vascular dentine.
Vasodilator \Vas`o*di*lat"or\, a.[L. vas a vessel + dilator.]
(Physiol.)
Causing dilation or relaxation of the blood vessels; as, the
vasodilator nerves, stimulation of which causes dilation of
the blood vessels to which they go. These nerves are also
called {vaso-inhibitory}, and {vasohypotonic} nerves, since
their stimulation causes relaxation and rest.
Vasoformative \Vas`o*form"a*tive\, a. [L. vas a vessel +
formative] (Physiol.)
Concerned in the development and formation of blood vessels
and blood corpuscles; as, the vasoformative cells.
Vaso-inhibitory \Vas`o-in*hib"i*to*ry\, a. (Physiol.)
See {Vasodilator}.
Vasomotor \Vas`o*mo"tor\, a. [L. vas a vessel + motor that which
moves fr. movere to move.] (Physiol.)
Causing movement in the walls of vessels; as, the vasomotor
mechanisms; the vasomotor nerves, a system of nerves
distributed over the muscular coats of the blood vessels.
{Vasomotor center}, the chief dominating or general center
which supplies all the unstriped muscles of the arterial
system with motor nerves, situated in a part of the
medulla oblongata; a center of reflex action by the
working of which afferent impulses are changed into
efferent, -- vasomotor impulses leading either to dilation
or constriction of the blood vessels.
Vassal \Vas"sal\, n. [F., fr. LL. vassallus, vassus; of Celtic
origin; cf. W. & Corn. gwas a youth, page, servant, Arm. gwaz
a man, a male. Cf. {Valet}, {Varlet}, {Vavasor}.]
1. (Feud. Law) The grantee of a fief, feud, or fee; one who
holds land of superior, and who vows fidelity and homage
to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant. --Burrill.
2. A subject; a dependent; a servant; a slave. ``The vassals
of his anger.'' --Milton.
{Rear vassal}, the vassal of a vassal; an arriere vassal.
Vassal \Vas"sal\, a.
Resembling a vassal; slavish; servile.
The sun and every vassal star. --Keble.
Vassal \Vas"sal\, v. t.
To treat as a vassal; to subject to control; to enslave.
[Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Vassalage \Vas"sal*age\, n. [OE. vassalage, F. vasselage, LL.
vassallaticum.]
1. The state of being a vassal, or feudatory.
2. Political servitude; dependence; subjection; slavery; as,
the Greeks were held in vassalage by the Turks.
3. A territory held in vassalage. ``The Countship of Foix,
with six territorial vassalages.'' --Milman.
4. Vassals, collectively; vassalry. [R.] --Shak.
5. Valorous service, such as that performed by a vassal;
valor; prowess; courage. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vassaless \Vas"sal*ess\, n.
A female vassal. [R.] --Spenser.
Vassalry \Vas"sal*ry\, n.
The body of vassals. [R.]
Vast \Vast\, a. [Compar. {Vaster}; superl. {Vastest}.] [L.
vastus empty, waste, enormous, immense: cf. F. vaste. See
{Waste}, and cf. {Devastate}.]
1. Waste; desert; desolate; lonely. [Obs.]
The empty, vast, and wandering air. --Shak.
2. Of great extent; very spacious or large; also, huge in
bulk; immense; enormous; as, the vast ocean; vast
mountains; the vast empire of Russia.
Through the vast and boundless deep. --Milton.
3. Very great in numbers, quantity, or amount; as, a vast
army; a vast sum of money.
4. Very great in importance; as, a subject of vast concern.
Syn: Enormous; huge; immense; mighty.
Vast \Vast\, n.
A waste region; boundless space; immensity. ``The watery
vast.'' --Pope.
Michael bid sound The archangel trumpet. Through the
vast of heaven It sounded. --Milton.
Vastation \Vas*ta"tion\, n. [L. vastatio, fr. vastare to lay
waste, fr. vastus empty, waste.]
A laying waste; waste; depopulation; devastation. [Obs.]
--Bp. Hall.
Vastel \Vas"tel\, n.
See {Wastel}. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Vastidity \Vas*tid"i*ty\, n. [Cf. OF. vastit['e], L. vastitas.]
Vastness; immensity. [Obs.] ``All the world's vastidity.''
--Shak.
Vastitude \Vas"ti*tude\, n. [L. vastitudo.]
1. Vastness; immense extent. [R.]
2. Destruction; vastation. [Obs.] --Joye.
Vastity \Vast"i*ty\, n. [L. vastitas.]
Vastness. [Obs.]
The huge vastity of the world. --Holland.
Vastly \Vast"ly\, adv.
To a vast extent or degree; very greatly; immensely. --Jer.
Taylor.
Vastness \Vast"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vast.
Vasty \Vas"ty\, a. [From {Vast}.]
Vast; immense. [R.]
I can call spirits from the vasty deep. --Shak.
Vasum \Va"sum\, n. [L., a vase. See {Vase}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus including several species of large marine gastropods
having massive pyriform shells, with conspicuous folds on the
columella.
Vat \Vat\, n. [A dialectic form for fat, OE. fat, AS. f[ae]t;
akin to D. vat, OS. fat, G. fass, OHG. faz, Icel. & Sw. fat,
Dan. fad, Lith. p?das a pot, and probably to G. fassen to
seize, to contain, OHG. fazz?n, D. vatten. Cf. {Fat} a vat.]
1. A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for
holding in an immature state, chemical preparations for
dyeing, or for tanning, or for tanning leather, or the
like.
Let him produce his vase and tubs, in opposition to
heaps of arms and standards. --Addison.
2. A measure for liquids, and also a dry measure; especially,
a liquid measure in Belgium and Holland, corresponding to
the hectoliter of the metric system, which contains 22.01
imperial gallons, or 26.4 standard gallons in the United
States.
Note: The old Dutch grain vat averaged 0.762 Winchester
bushel. The old London coal vat contained 9 bushels.
The solid-measurement vat of Amsterdam contains 40
cubic feet; the wine vat, 241.57 imperial gallons, and
the vat for olive oil, 225.45 imperial gallons.
3. (Metal.)
(a) A wooden tub for washing ores and mineral substances
in.
(b) A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining
furnace, where tin ore is laid to dry.
4. (R. C. Ch.) A vessel for holding holy water.
Vat \Vat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vatted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vatting}.]
To put or transfer into a vat.
Vatful \Vat"ful\, n.; pl. {Vatfuls}.
As much as a vat will hold; enough to fill a vat.
Vatical \Vat"ic*al\, a. [L. vates a prophet.]
Of or pertaining to a prophet; prophetical. --Bp. Hall.
Vatican \Vat"i*can\, n. [L. Vaticanus, mons, or collis,
Vaticanus, the Vatican hill, in Rome, on the western bank of
the Tiber: cf. F. Vatican, It. Vaticano.]
A magnificent assemblage of buildings at Rome, near the
church of St. Peter, including the pope's palace, a museum, a
library, a famous chapel, etc.
Note: The word is often used to indicate the papal authority.
{Thunders of the Vatican}, the anathemas, or denunciations,
of the pope.
Vaticanism \Vat"i*can*ism\, n.
The doctrine of papal supremacy; extreme views in support of
the authority of the pope; ultramontanism; -- a term used
only by persons who are not Roman Catholics.
Vaticanist \Vat"i*can*ist\, n.
One who strongly adheres to the papal authority; an
ultramontanist.
Vaticide \Vat"i*cide\, n. [L. vates a prophet + caedere to
kill.]
The murder, or the murderer, of a prophet. ``The caitiff
vaticide.'' --Pope.
Vaticinal \Va*tic"i*nal\, a. [See {Vaticinate}.]
Of or pertaining to prophecy; prophetic. --T. Warton.
Vaticinate \Va*tic"i*nate\, v. i. & t. [L. vaticinatus, p. p. of
vaticinari to prophesy, fr. vaticinus prophetical, fr. vates
a prophet.]
To prophesy; to foretell; to practice prediction; to utter
prophecies.
Vaticination \Va*tic`i*na"tion\, n. [L. vaticinatio.]
Prediction; prophecy.
It is not a false utterance; it is a true, though an
impetuous, vaticination. --I. Taylor.
Vaticinator \Va*tic"i*na`tor\, n. [L.]
One who vaticinates; a prophet.
Vaticine \Vat"i*cine\, n. [L. vaticinium.]
A prediction; a vaticination. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Vaudeville \Vaude"ville\, n. [F., fr. Vau-de-vire, a village in
Normandy, where Olivier Basselin, at the end of the 14th
century, composed such songs.] [Written also {vaudevil}.]
1. A kind of song of a lively character, frequently embodying
a satire on some person or event, sung to a familiar air
in couplets with a refrain; a street song; a topical song.
2. A theatrical piece, usually a comedy, the dialogue of
which is intermingled with light or satirical songs, set
to familiar airs.
The early vaudeville, which is the forerunner of the
opera bouffe, was light, graceful, and piquant.
--Johnson's
Cyc.
Vaudois \Vau*dois\ (v[=o]*dw[aum]"), n. sing. & pl. [F.]
1. An inhabitant, or the inhabitants, of the Swiss canton of
Vaud.
2. A modern name of the Waldenses.
Vaudoux \Vau*doux"\, n. & a.
See {Voodoo}.
Vault \Vault\ (v[add]lt; see Note, below), n. [OE. voute, OF.
voute, volte, F. vo[^u]te, LL. volta, for voluta, volutio,
fr. L. volvere, volutum, to roll, to turn about. See
{Voluble}, and cf. {Vault} a leap, {Volt} a turn, {Volute}.]
1. (Arch.) An arched structure of masonry, forming a ceiling
or canopy.
The long-drawn aisle and fretted vault. --Gray.
2. An arched apartment; especially, a subterranean room, use
for storing articles, for a prison, for interment, or the
like; a cell; a cellar. ``Charnel vaults.'' --Milton.
The silent vaults of death. --Sandys.
To banish rats that haunt our vault. --Swift.
3. The canopy of heaven; the sky.
That heaven's vault should crack. --Shak.
4. [F. volte, It. volta, originally, a turn, and the same
word as volta an arch. See the Etymology above.] A leap or
bound. Specifically:
(a) (Man.) The bound or leap of a horse; a curvet.
(b) A leap by aid of the hands, or of a pole, springboard,
or the like.
Note: The l in this word was formerly often suppressed in
pronunciation.
{Barrel}, {Cradle}, {Cylindrical}, or {Wagon}, {vault}
(Arch.), a kind of vault having two parallel abutments,
and the same section or profile at all points. It may be
rampant, as over a staircase (see {Rampant vault}, under
{Rampant}), or curved in plan, as around the apse of a
church.
{Coved vault}. (Arch.) See under 1st {Cove}, v. t.
{Groined vault} (Arch.), a vault having groins, that is, one
in which different cylindrical surfaces intersect one
another, as distinguished from a barrel, or wagon, vault.
{Rampant vault}. (Arch.) See under {Rampant}.
{Ribbed vault} (Arch.), a vault differing from others in
having solid ribs which bear the weight of the vaulted
surface. True Gothic vaults are of this character.
{Vault light}, a partly glazed plate inserted in a pavement
or ceiling to admit light to a vault below.
Vault \Vault\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vaulted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vaulting}.] [OE. vouten, OF. volter, vouter, F. vo[^u]ter.
See {Vault} an arch.]
1. To form with a vault, or to cover with a vault; to give
the shape of an arch to; to arch; as, vault a roof; to
vault a passage to a court.
The shady arch that vaulted the broad green alley.
--Sir W.
Scott.
2. [See {Vault}, v. i.] To leap over; esp., to leap over by
aid of the hands or a pole; as, to vault a fence.
I will vault credit, and affect high pleasures.
--Webster
(1623).
Vault \Vault\, v. i. [Cf. OF. volter, F. voltiger, It. volt?re
turn. See {Vault}, n., 4.]
1. To leap; to bound; to jump; to spring.
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself. --Shak.
Leaning on his lance, he vaulted on a tree.
--Dryden.
Lucan vaulted upon Pegasus with all the heat and
intrepidity of youth. --Addison.
2. To exhibit feats of tumbling or leaping; to tumble.
Vaultage \Vault"age\, n.
Vaulted work; also, a vaulted place; an arched cellar. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Vaulted \Vault"ed\, a.
1. Arched; concave; as, a vaulted roof.
2. Covered with an arch, or vault.
3. (Bot.) Arched like the roof of the mouth, as the upper lip
of many ringent flowers.
Vaulter \Vault"er\, n.
One who vaults; a leaper; a tumbler. --B. Jonson.
Vaulting \Vault"ing\, n.
1. The act of constructing vaults; a vaulted construction.
2. Act of one who vaults or leaps.
Vaulty \Vault"y\, a.
Arched; concave. [Obs.] ``The vaulty heaven.'' --Shak.
Vaunce \Vaunce\, v. i. [See {Advance}.]
To advance. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vaunt \Vaunt\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vaunted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vaunting}.] [F. vanter, LL. vanitare, fr. L. vanus vain. See
{Vain}.]
To boast; to make a vain display of one's own worth,
attainments, decorations, or the like; to talk
ostentatiously; to brag.
Pride, which prompts a man to vaunt and overvalue what
he is, does incline him to disvalue what he has. --Gov.
of Tongue.
Vaunt \Vaunt\, v. t.
To boast of; to make a vain display of; to display with
ostentation.
Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. --1 Cor.
xiii. 4.
My vanquisher, spoiled of his vaunted spoil. --Milton.
Vaunt \Vaunt\, n.
A vain display of what one is, or has, or has done;
ostentation from vanity; a boast; a brag.
The spirits beneath, whom I seduced With other promises
and other vaunts. --Milton.
Vaunt \Vaunt\, n. [F. avant before, fore. See {Avant},
{Vanguard}.]
The first part. [Obs.] --Shak.
Vaunt \Vaunt\, v. t. [See {Avant}, {Advance}.]
To put forward; to display. [Obs.] ``Vaunted spear.''
--Spenser.
And what so else his person most may vaunt. --Spenser.
Vaunt-courier \Vaunt"-cou`ri*er\, n.
See {Van-courier}. [Obs.] --Shak.
Vaunter \Vaunt"er\, n.
One who vaunts; a boaster.
Vauntful \Vaunt"ful\, a.
Given to vaunting or boasting; vainly ostentatious; boastful;
vainglorious.
Vauntingly \Vaunt"ing*ly\, adv.
In a vaunting manner.
Vauntmure \Vaunt"mure`\, n. [F. avant-mur. See {Vanguard}, and
{Mure}.] (Fort.)
A false wall; a work raised in front of the main wall.
[Written also {vaimure}, and {vamure}.] --Camden.
Vauquelinite \Vauque"lin*ite\, n. [So called after the French
chemist Vauquelin, who died in 1829: cf. F. vauquelinite.]
(Min.)
Chromate of copper and lead, of various shades of green.
Vaut \Vaut\, v. i.
To vault; to leap. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vaut \Vaut\, n.
A vault; a leap. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vauty \Vaut"y\, a.
Vaulted. ``The haughty vauty welkin.'' [Obs.] --Taylor
(1611).
Vavasor \Vav"a*sor\, n. [OE. vavasour, OF. vavassor, vavassour,
F. vavasseur, LL. vavassor, probably contr. from vassus
vassorum vassal of the vassals. See {Vassal}.] (Feud. Law)
The vassal or tenant of a baron; one who held under a baron,
and who also had tenants under him; one in dignity next to a
baron; a title of dignity next to a baron. --Burrill. ``A
worthy vavasour.'' --Chaucer. [Also written {vavasour},
{vavassor}, {valvasor}, etc.]
Vavasours subdivide again to vassals, exchanging land
and cattle, human or otherwise, against fealty.
--Motley.
Vavasory \Vav"a*so*ry\, n. [F. vavassorie.] (Feud. Law)
The quality or tenure of the fee held by a vavasor; also, the
lands held by a vavasor.
Vaward \Va"ward`\, n. [For vanward, equivalent to vanguard. See
{Vanguard}, {Ward} guard.]
The fore part; van. [Obs.]
Since we have the vaward of the day. --Shak.
Vaza parrot \Va"za par`rot\ (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of parrots of the genus
{Coracopsis}, native of Madagascar; -- called also {vasa
parrot}.
Veadar \Ve"a*dar\, n.
The thirteenth, or intercalary, month of the Jewish
ecclesiastical calendar, which is added about every third
year.
Veal \Veal\, n.[OE. veel, OF. veel, F. veau, L. vitellus, dim.
of vitulus a calf; akin to E. wether. See {Wether}, and cf.
{Vellum}, {Vituline}.]
The flesh of a calf when killed and used for food.
Vection \Vec"tion\, n. [L. vectio, from vehere, vectum, to
carry.]
Vectitation. [Obs.]
Vectitation \Vec`ti*ta"tion\, n. [L. vectitatus born? about, fr.
ve?tare, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum, to carry.]
The act of carrying, or state of being carried. [Obs.]
Vector \Vec"tor\, n. [L., a bearer, carrier. fr. vehere, vectum,
to carry.]
1. Same as {Radius vector}.
2. (Math.) A directed quantity, as a straight line, a force,
or a velocity. Vectors are said to be equal when their
directions are the same their magnitudes equal. Cf.
{Scalar}.
Note: In a triangle, either side is the vector sum of the
other two sides taken in proper order; the process
finding the vector sum of two or more vectors is vector
addition (see under {Addition}).
Vecture \Vec"ture\, n. [L. vectura, from vehere, vectum, to
carry. Cf. {Vettura}, {Voiture}.]
The act of carrying; conveyance; carriage. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Veda \Ve"da\ (?; 277), n. [Skr. v?da, properly, knowledge, from
vid to know. See {Wit}.]
The ancient sacred literature of the Hindus; also, one of the
four collections, called Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda, and
Atharva-Veda, constituting the most ancient portions of that
literature.
Note: The language of the Vedas is usually called Vedic
Sanskrit, as distinguished from the later and more
settled form called classical Sanskrit.
Vedanta \Ve*dan"ta\, n. [Skr. V?danta.]
A system of philosophy among the Hindus, founded on scattered
texts of the Vedas, and thence termed the ``Anta,'' or end or
substance. --Balfour (Cyc. of India.)
Vedantic \Ve*dan"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Vedas.
Vedantist \Ve*dan"tist\, n.
One versed in the doctrines of the Vedantas.
Vedette \Ve*dette"\, n. [F. vedette, It. vedetta, for veletta
(influenced by vedere to see, L. videre), from It. veglia
watch, L. vigilia. See {Vigil}.]
A sentinel, usually on horseback, stationed on the outpost of
an army, to watch an enemy and give notice of danger; a
vidette.
Vedro \Ve"dro\, n. [Russ.]
A Russian liquid measure, equal to 3.249 gallons of U. S.
standard measure, or 2.706 imperial gallons. --McElrath.
Veer \Veer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Veered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Veering}.] [F. virer (cf. Sp. virar, birar), LL. virare;
perhaps fr. L. vibrare to brandish, vibrate (cf. {Vibrate});
or cf. L. viriae armlets, bracelets, viriola a little
bracelet (cf. {Ferrule}). Cf. {Environ}.]
To change direction; to turn; to shift; as, wind veers to the
west or north. ``His veering gait.'' --Wordsworth.
And as he leads, the following navy veers. --Dryden.
an ordinary community which is hostile or friendly as
passion or as interest may veer about. --Burke.
{To veer and haul} (Naut.), to vary the course or direction;
-- said of the wind, which veers aft and hauls forward.
The wind is also said to veer when it shifts with the sun.
Veer \Veer\, v. t.
To direct to a different course; to turn; to wear; as, to
veer, or wear, a vessel.
{To veer and haul} (Naut.), to pull tight and slacken
alternately. --Totten.
{To veer away} or {out} (Naut.), to let out; to slacken and
let run; to pay out; as, to veer away the cable; to veer
out a rope.
Veering \Veer"ing\, a.
Shifting. -- {Veer"ing*ly}, adv.
Veery \Veer"y\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American thrush ({Turdus fuscescens}) common in the
Northern United States and Canada. It is light tawny brown
above. The breast is pale buff, thickly spotted with brown.
Called also {Wilson's thrush}.
Sometimes I hear the veery's clarion. --Thoreau.
Vega \Ve"ga\ (v[=e]"g[.a]), n. (Astron.) [Ar. w[=a]gi',
properly, falling: cf. F. W['e]ga.]
A brilliant star of the first magnitude, the brightest of
those constituting the constellation Lyra.
Vegetability \Veg`e*ta*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vegetable. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Vegetable \Veg`e*ta*ble\, a. [F. v['e]g['e]table growing,
capable of growing, formerly also, as a noun, a vegetable,
from L. vegetabilis enlivening, from vegetare to enliven,
invigorate, quicken, vegetus enlivened, vigorous, active,
vegere to quicken, arouse, to be lively, akin to vigere to be
lively, to thrive, vigil watchful, awake, and probably to E.
wake, v. See {Vigil}, {Wake}, v.]
1. Of or pertaining to plants; having the nature of, or
produced by, plants; as, a vegetable nature; vegetable
growths, juices, etc.
Blooming ambrosial fruit Of vegetable gold.
--Milton.
2. Consisting of, or comprising, plants; as, the vegetable
kingdom.
{Vegetable alkali} (Chem.), an alkaloid.
{Vegetable brimstone}. (Bot.) See {Vegetable sulphur}, below.
{Vegetable butter} (Bot.), a name of several kinds of
concrete vegetable oil; as that produced by the Indian
butter tree, the African shea tree, and the {Pentadesma
butyracea}, a tree of the order {Guttifer[ae]}, also
African. Still another kind is pressed from the seeds of
cocoa ({Theobroma}).
{Vegetable flannel}, a textile material, manufactured in
Germany from pine-needle wool, a down or fiber obtained
from the leaves of the {Pinus sylvestris}.
{Vegetable ivory}. See {Ivory nut}, under {Ivory}.
{Vegetable jelly}. See {Pectin}.
{Vegetable kingdom}. (Nat. Hist.) See the last Phrase, below.
{Vegetable leather}.
(a) (Bot.) A shrubby West Indian spurge ({Euphorbia
punicea}), with leathery foliage and crimson bracts.
(b) See {Vegetable leather}, under {Leather}.
{Vegetable marrow} (Bot.), an egg-shaped gourd, commonly
eight to ten inches long. It is noted for the very tender
quality of its flesh, and is a favorite culinary vegetable
in England. It has been said to be of Persian origin, but
is now thought to have been derived from a form of the
American pumpkin.
{Vegetable oyster} (Bot.), the oyster plant. See under
{Oyster}.
{Vegetable parchment}, papyrine.
{Vegetable sheep} (Bot.), a white woolly plant ({Raoulia
eximia}) of New Zealand, which grows in the form of large
fleecy cushions on the mountains.
{Vegetable silk}, a cottonlike, fibrous material obtained
from the coating of the seeds of a Brazilian tree
({Chorisia speciosa}). It us used for various purposes, as
for stuffing, and the like, but is incapable of being spun
on account of a want of cohesion among the fibers.
{Vegetable sponge}. See 1st {Loof}.
{Vegetable sulphur}, the fine highly inflammable spores of
the club moss ({Lycopodium clavatum}); witch.
{Vegetable tallow}, a substance resembling tallow, obtained
from various plants; as, {Chinese vegetable tallow},
obtained from the seeds of the tallow tree. {Indian
vegetable tallow} is a name sometimes given to piney
tallow.
{Vegetable wax}, a waxy excretion on the leaves or fruits of
certain plants, as the bayberry.
{Vegetable kingdom} (Nat. Hist.), that primary division of
living things which includes all plants. The classes of
the vegetable kingdom have been grouped differently by
various botanists. The following is one of the best of the
many arrangements of the principal subdivisions.
I. {Ph[ae]nogamia} (called also {Phanerogamia}). Plants having
distinct flowers and true seeds. [ 1. {Dicotyledons} (called
also {Exogens}). -- Seeds with two or more cotyledons. Stems
with the pith, woody fiber, and bark concentrically arranged.
Divided into two subclasses: {Angiosperms}, having the woody
fiber interspersed with dotted or annular ducts, and the seed
contained in a true ovary; {Gymnosperms}, having few or no ducts
in the woody fiber, and the seeds naked. 2. {Monocotyledons}
(called also {Endogens}). -- Seeds with single cotyledon. Stems
with slender bundles of woody fiber not concentrically arranged,
and with no true bark.] II. {Cryptogamia}. Plants without true
flowers, and reproduced by minute spores of various kinds, or by
simple cell division. [ 1. {Acrogens}. -- Plants usually with
distinct stems and leaves, existing in two alternate conditions,
one of which is nonsexual and sporophoric, the other sexual and
o["o]phoric. Divided into {Vascular Acrogens}, or
{Pteridophyta}, having the sporophoric plant conspicuous and
consisting partly of vascular tissue, as in Ferns, Lycopods, and
Equiseta, and {Cellular Acrogens}, or {Bryophyta}, having the
sexual plant most conspicuous, but destitute of vascular tissue,
as in Mosses and Scale Mosses. 2. {Thallogens}. -- Plants
without distinct stem and leaves, consisting of a simple or
branched mass of cellular tissue, or educed to a single cell.
Reproduction effected variously. Divided into {Alg[ae]}, which
contain chlorophyll or its equivalent, and which live upon air
and water, and {Fungi}, which contain no chlorophyll, and live
on organic matter. (Lichens are now believed to be fungi
parasitic on included alg[ae].]
Note: Many botanists divide the Ph[ae]nogamia primarily into
Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, and the latter into
Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons. Others consider
Pteridophyta and Bryophyta to be separate classes.
Thallogens are variously divided by different writers,
and the places for diatoms, slime molds, and stoneworts
are altogether uncertain. For definitions, see these
names in the Vocabulary.
Vegetable \Veg"e*ta*ble\, n.
1. (Biol.) A plant. See {Plant}.
2. A plant used or cultivated for food for man or domestic
animals, as the cabbage, turnip, potato, bean, dandelion,
etc.; also, the edible part of such a plant, as prepared
for market or the table.
Note: Vegetables and fruits are sometimes loosely
distinguished by the usual need of cooking the former
for the use of man, while the latter may be eaten raw;
but the distinction often fails, as in the case of
quinces, barberries, and other fruits, and lettuce,
celery, and other vegetables. Tomatoes if cooked are
vegetables, if eaten raw are fruits.
Vegetal \Veg"e*tal\, a. [F. v['e]g['e]tal. See {Vegetable}.]
1. Of or pertaining to vegetables, or the vegetable kingdom;
of the nature of a vegetable; vegetable.
All creatures vegetal, sensible, and rational.
--Burton.
2. (Biol.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, that class of
vital phenomena, such as digestion, absorption,
assimilation, secretion, excretion, circulation,
generation, etc., which are common to plants and animals,
in distinction from sensation and volition, which are
peculiar to animals.
Vegetal \Veg"e*tal\, n. [F.]
A vegetable. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Vegetality \Veg`e*tal"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or state of being vegetal, or vegetable. [R.]
2. (Biol.) The quality or state of being vegetal, or
exhibiting those physiological phenomena which are common
to plants and animals. See {Vegetal}, a., 2.
Vegetarian \Veg`e*ta"ri*an\, n.
One who holds that vegetables and fruits are the only proper
food for man. Strict vegetarians eat no meat, eggs, or milk.
Vegetarian \Veg`e*ta"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to vegetarianism; as, a vegetarian diet.
Vegetarianism \Veg`e*ta"ri*an*ism\, n.
The theory or practice of living upon vegetables and fruits.
Vegetate \Veg"e*tate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vegetated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vegetating}.] [L. vegetatus, p. p. of vegetare to
enliven. See {Vegetable}.]
1. To grow, as plants, by nutriment imbibed by means of roots
and leaves; to start into growth; to sprout; to germinate.
See dying vegetables life sustain, See life
dissolving vegetate again. --Pope.
2. Fig.: To lead a live too low for an animate creature; to
do nothing but eat and grow. --Cowper.
Persons who . . . would have vegetated stupidly in
the places where fortune had fixed them. --Jeffrey.
3. (Med.) To grow exuberantly; to produce fleshy or warty
outgrowths; as, a vegetating papule.
Vegetation \Veg`e*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. v['e]g['e]tation, L.
vegetatio an enlivening. See {Vegetable}.]
1. The act or process of vegetating, or growing as a plant
does; vegetable growth.
2. The sum of vegetable life; vegetables or plants in
general; as, luxuriant vegetation.
3. (Med.) An exuberant morbid outgrowth upon any part,
especially upon the valves of the heart.
{Vegetation of salts} (Old Chem.), a crystalline growth of an
arborescent form.
Vegetative \Veg"e*ta*tive\, a. [Cf. F. v['e]g['e]tatif.]
1. Growing, or having the power of growing, as plants;
capable of vegetating.
2. Having the power to produce growth in plants; as, the
vegetative properties of soil.
3. (Biol.) Having relation to growth or nutrition; partaking
of simple growth and enlargement of the systems of
nutrition, apart from the sensorial or distinctively
animal functions; vegetal. -- {Veg"e*ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Veg"e*ta*tive*ness}, n.
Vegete \Ve*gete"\, a. [L. vegetus. See {Vegetable}.]
Lively; active; sprightly; vigorous. [Obs.]
Even her body was made airy and vegete. --Jer. Taylor.
Vegetive \Veg"e*tive\, a. [See {Vegetate}, and {Vegetative}.]
Having the nature of a plant; vegetable; as, vegetive life.
[R.] --Tusser.
Vegetive \Veg"e*tive\, n.
A vegetable. [Obs.]
The blest infusions That dwell in vegetives, in metals,
stones. --Shak.
Vegeto-animal \Veg"e*to-an"i*mal\, a. (Biol.)
Partaking of the nature both of vegetable and animal matter;
-- a term sometimes applied to vegetable albumen and gluten,
from their resemblance to similar animal products.
Vegetous \Veg"e*tous\, a. [L. vegetus. See {Vegete}.]
Vigorous; lively; active; vegete. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Vehemence \Ve"he*mence\, n. [L. vehementia: cf. F.
v['e]h['e]mence.]
1. The quality pr state of being vehement; impetuous force;
impetuosity; violence; fury; as, the vehemence.
2. Violent ardor; great heat; animated fervor; as, the
vehemence of love, anger, or other passions.
I . . . tremble at his vehemence of temper.
--Addison.
Vehemency \Ve"he*men*cy\, n.
Vehemence. [R.]
The vehemency of your affection. --Shak.
Vehement \Ve"he*ment\, a. [L. vehemens, the first part of which
is perhaps akin to vehere to carry, and the second mens mind:
cf. F. v['e]h['e]ment. Cf. {Vehicle}, and {Mental}.]
1. Acting with great force; furious; violent; impetuous;
forcible; mighty; as, vehement wind; a vehement torrent; a
vehement fire or heat.
2. Very ardent; very eager or urgent; very fervent;
passionate; as, a vehement affection or passion.
``Vehement instigation.'' --Shak. ``Vehement desire.''
--Milton.
Syn: Furious; violent; raging; impetuous; passionate; ardent;
eager; hot; fervid; burning.
Vehemently \Ve"he*ment*ly\, adv.
In a vehement manner.
Vehicle \Ve"hi*cle\, n. [L. vehiculum, fr. vehere to carry; akin
to E. way, wain. See {Way}, n., and cf. {Convex}, {Inveigh},
{Veil}, {Vex}.]
1. That in or on which any person or thing is, or may be,
carried, as a coach, carriage, wagon, cart, car, sleigh,
bicycle, etc.; a means of conveyance; specifically, a
means of conveyance upon land.
2. That which is used as the instrument of conveyance or
communication; as, matter is the vehicle of energy.
A simple style forms the best vehicle of thought to
a popular assembly. --Wirt.
3. (Pharm.) A substance in which medicine is taken.
4. (Paint.) Any liquid with which a pigment is applied,
including whatever gum, wax, or glutinous or adhesive
substance is combined with it.
Note: Water is used in fresco and in water-color painting,
the colors being consolidated with gum arabic; size is
used in distemper painting. In oil painting, the fixed
oils of linseed, nut, and poppy, are used; in
encaustic, wax is the vehicle. --Fairholt.
Vehicled \Ve"hi*cled\, a.
Conveyed in a vehicle; furnished with a vehicle. --M. Green.
Vehicular \Ve*hic"u*lar\, a. [L. vehicularis: cf. F.
v['e]hiculaire.]
Of or pertaining to a vehicle; serving as a vehicle; as, a
vehicular contrivance.
Vehiculary \Ve*hic"u*la*ry\, a.
Vehicular.
Vehiculate \Ve*hic"u*late\, v. t. & i.
To convey by means of a vehicle; to ride in a vehicle.
--Carlyle.
Vehiculation \Ve*hic`u*la"tion\, n.
Movement of vehicles.
Vehiculatory \Ve*hic"u*la*to*ry\, a.
Vehicular. --Carlyle.
Vehmic \Veh"mic\ (v[=e]"m[i^]k or v[=a]-; 277), a. [G. vehm,
fehm, fehme, a secret tribunal of punishment, MHG. veime,
veme: cf. F. vehmique.]
Of, pertaining to, or designating, certain secret tribunals
which flourished in Germany from the end of the 12th century
to the middle of the 16th, usurping many of the functions of
the government which were too weak to maintain law and order,
and inspiring dread in all who came within their
jurisdiction. --Encyc. Brit.
Veil \Veil\ (v[=a]l), n. [OE. veile, OF. veile, F. voile, L.
velum a sail, covering, curtain, veil, probably fr. vehere to
bear, carry, and thus originally, that which bears the ship
on. See {Vehicle}, and cf. {Reveal}.] [Written also {vail}.]
1. Something hung up, or spread out, to intercept the view,
and hide an object; a cover; a curtain; esp., a screen,
usually of gauze, crape, or similar diaphnous material, to
hide or protect the face.
The veil of the temple was rent in twain. --Matt.
xxvii. 51.
She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her
unadorn['e]d golden tresses wore. --Milton.
2. A cover; disguise; a mask; a pretense.
[I will] pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the
so seeming Mistress Page. --Shak.
3. (Bot.)
(a) The calyptra of mosses.
(b) A membrane connecting the margin of the pileus of a
mushroom with the stalk; -- called also {velum}.
4. (Eccl.) A covering for a person or thing; as, a nun's
veil; a paten veil; an altar veil.
5. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Velum}, 3.
{To take the veil} (Eccl.), to receive or be covered with, a
veil, as a nun, in token of retirement from the world; to
become a nun.
Veil \Veil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Veiled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Veiling}.] [Cf. OF. veler, F. voiler, L. velarc. See {Veil},
n.] [Written also {vail}.]
1. To throw a veil over; to cover with a veil.
Her face was veiled; yet to my fancied sight, Love,
sweetness, goodness, in her person shined. --Milton.
2. Fig.: To invest; to cover; to hide; to conceal.
To keep your great pretenses veiled. --Shak.
Veiled \Veiled\, a.
Covered by, or as by, a veil; hidden. ``Words used to convey
a veiled meaning.'' --Earle.
Veiling \Veil"ing\, n.
A veil; a thin covering; also, material for making veils.
Veilless \Veil"less\, a.
Having no veil. --Tennyson.
Vein \Vein\, n. [OE. veine, F. veine, L. vena.]
1. (Anat.) One of the vessels which carry blood, either
venous or arterial, to the heart. See {Artery}, 2.
2. (Bot.) One of the similar branches of the framework of a
leaf.
3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the ribs or nervures of the wings of
insects. See {Venation}.
4. (Geol. or Mining) A narrow mass of rock intersecting other
rocks, and filling inclined or vertical fissures not
corresponding with the stratification; a lode; a dike; --
often limited, in the language of miners, to a mineral
vein or lode, that is, to a vein which contains useful
minerals or ores.
5. A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other
substance. ``Down to the veins of earth.'' --Milton.
Let the glass of the prisms be free from veins.
--Sir I.
Newton.
6. A streak or wave of different color, appearing in wood,
and in marble and other stones; variegation.
7. A train of association, thoughts, emotions, or the like; a
current; a course.
He can open a vein of true and noble thinking.
--Swift.
8. Peculiar temper or temperament; tendency or turn of mind;
a particular disposition or cast of genius; humor; strain;
quality; also, manner of speech or action; as, a rich vein
of humor; a satirical vein. --Shak.
Certain discoursing wits which are of the same
veins. --Bacon.
Invoke the Muses, and improve my vein. --Waller.
Vein \Vein\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Veined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Veining}.]
To form or mark with veins; to fill or cover with veins.
--Tennyson.
Veinal \Vein"al\, a.
Pertaining to veins; venous. [R.]
Veined \Veined\, a.
1. Full of veins; streaked; variegated; as, veined marble.
``Veined follies.'' --Ford.
2. (Bot.) Having fibrovascular threads extending throughout
the lamina; as, a veined leaf.
Veinless \Vein"less\, a.
Having no veins; as, a veinless leaf.
Veinlet \Vein"let\, n.
A small vein.
Veinous \Vein"ous\, a.
Marked with veins; veined; veiny.
The excellent old gentleman's nails are long and
leaden, and his hands lean and veinous. --Dickens.
Veinstone \Vein"stone`\, n.
The nonmetalliferous mineral or rock material which
accompanies the ores in a vein, as quartz, calcite, barite,
fluor spar, etc.; -- called also {veinstuff}.
Veiny \Vein"y\, a. [From {Vein}: cf. F. vein['e].]
Full of veins; veinous; veined; as, veiny marble.
Velar \Ve"lar\, a. [See {Velum}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a velum; esp. (Anat.) of or pertaining
to the soft palate.
2. (Phon.) Having the place of articulation on the soft
palate; guttural; as, the velar consonants, such as k and
hard q.
Velarium \Ve*la"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Velaria}. [L., a covering.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The marginal membrane of certain medus[ae] belonging to the
Discophora.
Velate \Ve"late\, a. [L. velatus, p. p. of velare to veil. See
{Veil}.] (Bot.)
Having a veil; veiled.
Vele \Vele\, n.
A veil. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Velella \Ve*lel"la\, n. [NL., dim. from L. velum a veil, a
sail.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of oceanic Siphonophora belonging to the genus
{Velella}.
Note: These creatures are brilliantly colored and float at
the surface of the sea. They have an oblong, disklike
body, supported by a thin chitinous plate, from which
rises a thin diagonal crest which acts as a sail. The
feeding and reproductive zooids hang down from the
under side of the disk.
Veliferous \Ve*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. velifer; velum a sail + ferre
to bear.]
Carrying or bearing sails. [Obs.] ``Veliferous chariots.''
--Evelyn.
Veliger \Vel"i*ger\, n. [NL., fr. L. velum a veil + gerere
bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any larval gastropod or bivalve mollusk in the state when it
is furnished with one or two ciliated membranes for swimming.
Velitation \Vel`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. velitatio, fr. velitari,
velitatus, to skirmish, from veles, -itis, a light-armed
soldier.]
A dispute or contest; a slight contest; a skirmish. [R.]
--Sir M. Hale.
After a short velitation we parted. --Evelyn.
Velivolant \Ve*liv"o*lant\, a. [L. velivolans; velum a sail +
volare to fly.]
Flying with sails; passing under full sail. [R.]
Vell \Vell\, n. [Cf. L. vellus the skin of a sheep with the wool
on it, a fleece, a hide or pelt, or E. fell a hide.]
The salted stomach of a calf, used in making cheese; a rennet
bag. [Prov. Eng.]
Vell \Vell\, v. i. [Cf. {Vell}, n.]
To cut the turf from, as for burning. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Velleity \Vel*le"i*ty\, n. [F. vell['e]it['e] (cf. It.
velleit[`a]), fr. L. velle to will, to be willing.]
The lowest degree of desire; imperfect or incomplete
volition. --Locke.
Vellet \Vel"let\, n.
Velvet. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vellicate \Vel"li*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vellicated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vellicating}.] [L. vellicatus, p. p. of
vellicare to twitch, fr. vellere to pluck, pull.]
To twitch; to cause to twitch convulsively.
Convulsions, arising from something vellicating a nerve
in its extremity, are not very dangerous. --Arbuthnot.
Vellicate \Vel"li*cate\, v. i.
To move spasmodically; to twitch; as, a nerve vellicates.
Vellication \Vel`li*ca"tion\, [L. vellicatio.]
1. The act of twitching, or of causing to twitch.
2. (Med.) A local twitching, or convulsive motion, of a
muscular fiber, especially of the face.
Vellicative \Vel"li*ca*tive\, a.
Having the power of vellicating, plucking, or twitching;
causing vellication.
Vellon \Vel*lon"\, n. [Sp.]
A word occurring in the phrase real vellon. See the Note
under Its {Real}.
Vellum \Vel"lum\, n. [OE. velim, F. v['e]lin, fr. L. vitulinus
of a calf, fr. vitulus a calf. See {Veal}.]
A fine kind of parchment, usually made from calfskin, and
rendered clear and white, -- used as for writing upon, and
for binding books.
{Vellum cloth}, a fine kind of cotton fabric, made very
transparent, and used as a tracing cloth.
Vellumy \Vel"lum*y\, a.
Resembling vellum.
Velocimeter \Vel`o*cim"e*ter\, n. [L. velox, -ocis, rapid +
-meter.]
An apparatus for measuring speed, as of machinery or vessels,
but especially of projectiles.
Velocipede \Ve*loc"i*pede\, n. [L. velox, -ocis, swift + pes,
pedis, a foot. See {Velocity}, and {Foot}.]
A light road carriage propelled by the feet of the rider.
Originally it was propelled by striking the tips of the toes
on the roadway, but commonly now by the action of the feet on
a pedal or pedals connected with the axle of one or more of
the wheels, and causing their revolution. They are made in
many forms, with two, three, or four wheels. See {Bicycle},
and {Tricycle}.
Velecipedist \Ve*lec"i*pe`dist\, n.
One who rides on a velocipede.
Velocity \Ve*loc"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Velocities}. [L. velocitas,
from velox, -ocis, swift, quick; perhaps akin to v?lare to
fly (see {Volatile}): cf. F. v['e]locit['e].]
1. Quickness of motion; swiftness; speed; celerity; rapidity;
as, the velocity of wind; the velocity of a planet or
comet in its orbit or course; the velocity of a cannon
ball; the velocity of light.
Note: In such phrases, velocity is more generally used than
celerity. We apply celerity to animals; as, a horse or
an ostrich runs with celerity; but bodies moving in the
air or in ethereal space move with greater or less
velocity, not celerity. This usage is arbitrary, and
perhaps not universal.
2. (Mech.) Rate of motion; the relation of motion to time,
measured by the number of units of space passed over by a
moving body or point in a unit of time, usually the number
of feet passed over in a second. See the Note under
{Speed}.
{Angular velocity}. See under {Angular}.
{Initial velocity}, the velocity of a moving body at
starting; especially, the velocity of a projectile as it
leaves the mouth of a firearm from which it is discharged.
{Relative velocity}, the velocity with which a body
approaches or recedes from another body, whether both are
moving or only one.
{Uniform velocity}, velocity in which the same number of
units of space are described in each successive unit of
time.
{Variable velocity}, velocity in which the space described
varies from instant, either increasing or decreasing; --
in the former case called accelerated velocity, in the
latter, retarded velocity; the acceleration or retardation
itself being also either uniform or variable.
{Virtual velocity}. See under {Virtual}.
Note: In variable velocity, the velocity, strictly, at any
given instant, is the rate of motion at that instant,
and is expressed by the units of space, which, if the
velocity at that instant were continued uniform during
a unit of time, would be described in the unit of time;
thus, the velocity of a falling body at a given instant
is the number of feet which, if the motion which the
body has at that instant were continued uniformly for
one second, it would pass through in the second. The
scientific sense of velocity differs from the popular
sense in being applied to all rates of motion, however
slow, while the latter implies more or less rapidity or
quickness of motion.
Syn: Swiftness; celerity; rapidity; fleetness; speed.
Velours \Ve*lours"\, n. [F. See {Velure}.]
One of many textile fabrics having a pile like that of
velvet.
Veltfare \Velt"fare\, n. [See {Fieldfare}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The fieldfare. [Prov. Eng.]
Velum \Ve"lum\, n.; pl. {Vela}. [L., an awning, a veil. See
{Veil}.]
1. (Anat.) Curtain or covering; -- applied to various
membranous partitions, especially to the soft palate. See
under {Palate}.
2. (Bot.)
(a) See {Veil}, n., 3
(b) .
(b) A thin membrane surrounding the sporocarps of
quillworts {Isoetes}).
3. (Zo["o]l.) A veil-like organ or part. Especially:
(a) The circular membrane that partially incloses the
space beneath the umbrella of hydroid medus[ae].
(b) A delicate funnel-like membrane around the flagellum
of certain Infusoria. See Illust. a of {Protozoa}.
Velure \Vel"ure\, n. [F. velours, OF. velous, from L. villosus
hairy. See {Velvet}.]
Velvet. [Obs.] ``A woman's crupper of velure.'' --Shak.
Velutina \Vel`u*ti"na\, n. [NL. See {Velvet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of marine gastropods belonging to
{Velutina} and allied genera.
Velutinous \Ve*lu"ti*nous\, a. [It. velluto velvet. See
{Velvet}.] (Bot.)
Having the surface covered with a fine and dense silky
pubescence; velvety; as, a velutinous leaf.
Velverd \Vel"verd\, n.
The veltfare. [Prov. Eng.]
Velveret \Vel`ver*et"\, n.
A kind of velvet having cotton back.
Velvet \Vel"vet\, n. [OE. velouette, veluet, velwet; cf. OF.
velluau, LL. velluetum, vellutum, It. velluto, Sp. velludo;
all fr. (assumed) LL. villutus shaggy, fr L. villus shaggy
hair; akin to vellus a fleece, and E. wool. See {Wool}, and
cf. {Villous}.]
1. A silk fabric, having a short, close nap of erect threads.
Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton
or linen back.
2. The soft and highly vascular deciduous skin which envelops
and nourishes the antlers of deer during their rapid
growth.
{Cotton velvet}, an imitation of velvet, made of cotton.
{Velvet cork}, the best kind of cork bark, supple, elastic,
and not woody or porous.
{Velvet crab} a European crab ({Portunus puber}). When adult
the black carapace is covered with a velvety pile. Called
also {lady crab}, and {velvet fiddler}.
{Velvet dock} (Bot.), the common mullein.
{Velvet duck}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A large European sea duck, or scoter ({Oidemia
fusca}). The adult male is glossy, velvety black, with
a white speculum on each wing, and a white patch
behind each eye.
(b) The American whitewinged scoter. See {Scoter}.
{Velvet flower} (Bot.), love-lies-bleeding. See under {Love}.
{Velvet grass} (Bot.), a tall grass ({Holcus lanatus}) with
velvety stem and leaves; -- called also {soft grass}.
{Velvet runner} (Zo["o]l.), the water rail; -- so called from
its quiet, stealthy manner of running. [Prov. Eng.]
{Velvet scoter}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Velvet duck}, above.
{Velvet sponge}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Sponge}.
Velvet \Vel"vet\, a.
Made of velvet; soft and delicate, like velvet; velvety. ``
The cowslip's velvet head.'' --Milton.
Velvet \Vel"vet\, v. i.
To pain velvet. [R.] --Peacham.
Velvet \Vel"vet\, v. t.
To make like, or cover with, velvet. [R.]
Velvetbreast \Vel"vet*breast`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The goosander. [Local, U. S.]
Velveteen \Vel`vet*een"\, n. [Cf. F. velvetine. See {Velvet}.]
A kind of cloth, usually cotton, made in imitation of velvet;
cotton velvet.
Velveting \Vel"vet*ing\, n.
The fine shag or nap of velvet; a piece of velvet; velvet
goods.
Velvetleaf \Vel"vet*leaf`\, n. (Bot.)
A name given to several plants which have soft, velvety
leaves, as the {Abutilon Avicenn[ae]}, the {Cissampelos
Pareira}, and the {Lavatera arborea}, and even the common
mullein.
Velvety \Vel"vet*y\, a.
Made of velvet, or like velvet; soft; smooth; delicate.
Vena \Ve"na\, n.; pl. {Ven[ae]}. [L. See {Vein}.]
A vein.
{Vena cava}; pl. {Ven[ae] cav[ae]}. [L., literally, hollow
vein.] (Anat.) Any one of the great systemic veins
connected directly with the heart.
{Vena contracta}. [L., literally, contracted vein.]
(Hydraulics) The contracted portion of a liquid jet at and
near the orifice from which it issues.
{Vena port[ae]}; pl. {Ven[AE] port[ae]}. [L., literally, vein
of the entrance.] (Anat.) The portal vein of the liver.
See under {Portal}.
Venada \Ve*na"da\, N. [Cf. Sp. venado a does, stag.] (Zo["o]l.)
The pudu.
Venal \Ve"nal\, a. [L. vena a vein.]
Of or pertaining to veins; venous; as, venal blood. [R.]
Venal \Ve"nal\, a. [L. venalis, from venus sale; akin to Gr. ?
price, Skr. vasna: cf. F. v['e]nal.]
Capable of being bought or obtained for money or other
valuable consideration; made matter of trade or barter; held
for sale; salable; mercenary; purchasable; hireling; as,
venal services. `` Paid court to venal beauties.''
--Macaulay.
The venal cry and prepared vote of a passive senate.
--Burke.
Syn: Mercenary; hireling; vendible.
Usage: {Venal}, {Mercenary}. One is mercenary who is either
actually a hireling (as, mercenary soldiers, a
mercenary judge, etc.), or is governed by a sordid
love of gain; hence, we speak of mercenary motives, a
mercenary marriage, etc. Venal goes further, and
supposes either an actual purchase, or a readiness to
be purchased, which places a person or thing wholly in
the power of the purchaser; as, a venal press. Brissot
played ingeniously on the latter word in his
celebrated saying, `` My pen is venal that it may not
be mercenary,'' meaning that he wrote books, and sold
them to the publishers, in order to avoid the
necessity of being the hireling of any political
party.
Thus needy wits a vile revenue made, And verse
became a mercenary trade. --Dryden.
This verse be thine, my friend, nor thou refuse
This, from no venal or ungrateful muse. --Pope.
Venality \Ve*nal"i*ty\, n. [L. venalitas: cf. F.
v['e]nalit['e].]
The quality or state of being venal, or purchasable;
mercenariness; prostitution of talents, offices, or services,
for money or reward; as, the venality of a corrupt court; the
venality of an official.
Complaints of Roman venality became louder. --Milton.
Venally \Ve"nal*ly\, adv.
In a venal manner.
Venantes \Ve*nan"tes\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. venans, p. pr. of
venari to hunt.] (Zo["o]l.)
The hunting spiders, which run after, or leap upon, their
prey.
Venary \Ven"a*ry\, a. [LL. venarius, fr. L. venari, p. p.
venatus, to hunt.]
Of or, pertaining to hunting.
Venatic \Ve*nat"ic\, Venatical \Ve*nat"ic*al\, a. [L. venaticus,
fr. venatus hunting, fr. venari, p. p. venatus, to hunt.]
Of or pertaining to hunting; used in hunting. [R.] ``
Venatical pleasure.'' --Howell.
Venatica \Ve*nat"i*ca\, n.
See {Vinatico}.
Venation \Ve*na"tion\, n. [L. vena a vein.]
The arrangement or system of veins, as in the wing of an
insect, or in the leaves of a plant. See Illust. in Appendix.
Venation \Ve*na"tion\, n. [L. venatio, fr. venari, p. p.
venatus, to hunt. See {Venison}.]
The act or art of hunting, or the state of being hunted.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Venatorial \Ven`a*to"ri*al\, a. [L. venatorius.]
Or or pertaining to hunting; venatic. [R.]
Vend \Vend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vending}.] [F. vendre, L. vendere, from venum dare; venus
sale + dare to give. See 2d {Venal}, {Date}, time.]
To transfer to another person for a pecuniary equivalent; to
make an object of trade; to dispose of by sale; to sell; as,
to vend goods; to vend vegetables.
Note: Vend differs from barter. We vend for money; we barter
for commodities. Vend is used chiefly of wares,
merchandise, or other small articles, not of lands and
tenements.
Vend \Vend\, n.
1. The act of vending or selling; a sale.
2. The total sales of coal from a colliery. [Eng.]
Vendace \Ven"dace\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A European lake whitefish ({Coregonus Willughbii}, or {C.
Vandesius}) native of certain lakes in Scotland and England.
It is regarded as a delicate food fish. Called also {vendis}.
Vendee \Vend*ee"\, n.
The person to whom a thing is vended, or sold; -- the
correlative of vendor.
Vend'emiaire \Ven`d['e]`miaire"\, n. [F., fr. L. vindemia
vintage.]
The first month of the French republican calendar, dating
from September 22, 1792.
Note: This calendar was substituted for the ordinary
calendar, dating from the Christian era, by a decree of
the National Convention in 1793. The 22d of September,
1792, which had been fixed upon as the day of the
foundation of the republic, was also the date of the
new calendar. In this calendar, the year, which began
at midnight of the day of the autumnal equinox, was
divided into twelve months of thirty days, with five
additional days for festivals, and every fourth year
six. Each month was divided into three decades of ten
days each, the week being abolished. The names of the
months in their order were, Vend['e]miaire, Brumaire,
Frimaire Nivose, Pluviose, Ventose, Germinal,
Flor['e]al, Prairial, Messidor, Thermidor (sometimes
called Fervidor), and Fructidor. This calendar was
abolished December 31, 1805, and the ordinary one
restored January 1, 1806.
Vender \Vend"er\, n. [From {Vend}: cf. F. vendeur, OF. vendeor.
Cf. {Vendor}.]
One who vends; one who transfers the exclusive right of
possessing a thing, either his own, or that of another as his
agent, for a price or pecuniary equivalent; a seller; a
vendor.
Vendetta \Ven*det"ta\, n. [It.]
A blood feud; private revenge for the murder of a kinsman.
Vendibility \Vend`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vendible, or salable.
Vendible \Vend"i*ble\, a. [L. vendibilis: cf. OF. vendible, F.
vendable.]
Capable of being vended, or sold; that may be sold; salable.
The regulating of prices of things vendible. --Bacon.
Note: Vendible differs from marketable; the latter signifies
proper or fit for market, according to the laws or
customs of a place. Vendible has no reference to such
legal fitness.
Vendible \Vend"i*ble\, n.
Something to be sold, or offered for sale. --
{Vend"i*ble*ness}, n. -- {Vend"i*bly}, adv.
Venditate \Ven"di*tate\, v. t. [See {Venditation}.]
To cry up. as if for sale; to blazon. [Obs.] --Holland.
Venditation \Ven`di*ta"tion\, n. [L. venditatio, fr. venditare,
venditatum, to offer again and again for sale, v. freq. of
vendere. See {Vend}.]
The act of setting forth ostentatiously; a boastful display.
[Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Vendition \Ven*di"tion\, n. [L. venditio: cf. F. vendition.]
The act of vending, or selling; sale.
Vendor \Vend"or\, n. [See {Vender}.]
A vender; a seller; the correlative of vendee.
Vends \Vends\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
See {Wends}.
Vendue \Ven*due"\, n. [OF. vendue, from F. vendre, p. p. vendu,
vendue, to sell.]
A public sale of anything, by outcry, to the highest bidder;
an auction. [Obsoles.]
{Vendue master}, one who is authorized to sell any property
by vendue; an auctioneer. [Obsoles.]
Veneer \Ve*neer"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Veneered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Veneering}.] [G. furnieren, fourniren, fr. F. fournir to
furnish. See {Furnish}.]
To overlay or plate with a thin layer of wood or other
material for outer finish or decoration; as, to veneer a
piece of furniture with mahogany. Used also figuratively.
As a rogue in grain Veneered with sanctimonious theory.
--Tennyson.
Veneer \Ve*neer"\, n. [Cf. G. furnier or fournier. See {Veneer},
v. t.]
A thin leaf or layer of a more valuable or beautiful material
for overlaying an inferior one, especially such a thin leaf
of wood to be glued to a cheaper wood; hence, external show;
gloss; false pretense.
{Veneer moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus {Chilo}; --
so called because the mottled colors resemble those of
veneering.
Veneering \Ve*neer"ing\, n.
1. The act or art of one who veneers.
2. Thin wood or other material used as a veneer.
Venefical \Ve*nef"ic*al\, a. [L. veneficus.]
Veneficial. [Obs.] ``Venefical instruments.'' --B. Jonson.
Venefice \Ven"e*fice\, n. [L. veneficium, fr. veneficus
poisoning; venenum poison + facere to make: cf. F.
v['e]n['e]fice.]
The act or practice of poisoning. [Obs.]
Veneficial \Ven`e*fi"cial\, Veneficious \Ven`e*fi"cious\, a.
Acting by poison; used in poisoning or in sorcery. [Obs.]
``An old veneficious practice.'' --Sir T. Browne. --
{Ven`e*fi"cious*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Venemous \Ven"e*mous\, a.
Venomous. [Obs.]
Venenate \Ven"e*nate\, v. t. [L. veneatus, p. p. venenare to
poison, from venenum poison. Cf. {Venom}.]
To poison; to infect with poison. [R.] --Harvey.
Venenate \Ven"e*nate\, a.
Poisoned. --Woodward.
Vennation \Ven`*na"tion\, n.
1. The act of poisoning.
2. Poison; venom. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Venene \Ve*nene"\, a.
Poisonous; venomous. [Obs.]
Venenose \Ven"e*nose`\, a. [L. venenosus, fr. venenum poison.
Cf. {Venomous}.]
Poisonous. [Obs.]
Venerability \Ven`er*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being venerable; venerableness. --Dr.
H. More.
Venerable \Ven"er*a*ble\, a. [L. venerabilis: cf. F.
v['e]n['e]rable.]
1. Capable of being venerated; worthy of veneration or
reverence; deserving of honor and respect; -- generally
implying an advanced age; as, a venerable magistrate; a
venerable parent.
He was a man of eternal self-sacrifice, and that is
always venerable. --De Quincey.
Venerable men! you have come down to us from a
former generation. --D. Webster.
2. Rendered sacred by religious or other associations; that
should be regarded with awe and treated with reverence;
as, the venerable walls of a temple or a church.
Note: This word is employed in the Church of England as a
title for an archdeacon. In the Roman Catholic Church,
venerable is applied to those who have attained to the
lowest of the three recognized degrees of sanctity, but
are not among the beatified, nor the canonized. --
{Ven"er*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Ven"er*a*bly}, adv.
Veneracea \Ven`e*ra"ce*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Venus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive tribe of bivalve mollusks of which the genus
{Venus} is the type. The shells are usually oval, or somewhat
heartshaped, with a conspicuous lunule. See {Venus}.
Venerate \Ven"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Venerated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Venerating}.] [L. veneratus, p. p. of venerari to
venerate; akin to Venus Venus, Skr. van to like, to wish, and
E. winsome. See {Winsome}.]
To regard with reverential respect; to honor with mingled
respect and awe; to reverence; to revere; as, we venerate
parents and elders.
And seemed to venerate the sacred shade. --Dryden.
I do not know a man more to be venerated for
uprightness of heart and loftiness of genius. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To reverence; revere; adore; respect.
Veneration \Ven`er*a"tion\, n. [L. veneratio: cf. F.
v['e]n['e]ration.]
The act of venerating, or the state of being venerated; the
highest degree of respect and reverence; respect mingled with
awe; a feeling or sentimental excited by the dignity, wisdom,
or superiority of a person, by sacredness of character, by
consecration to sacred services, or by hallowed associations.
We find a secret awe and veneration for one who moves
about us in regular and illustrious course of virtue.
--Addison.
Syn: Awe; reverence; respect. See {Reverence}.
Venerator \Ven"er*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who venerates. --Jer. Taylor
Venereal \Ve*ne"re*al\, a. [L. venereus, venerius, fr. Venus,
Veneris, Venus, the goddess of love. See {Venerate}.]
1. Of or pertaining to venery, or sexual love; relating to
sexual intercourse.
Into the snare I fell Of fair, fallacious looks,
venereal trains, Softened with pleasure and
voluptuous life. --Milton.
2. (Med.)
(a) Arising from sexual intercourse; as, a venereal
disease; venereal virus or poison.
(b) Adapted to the cure of venereal diseases; as, venereal
medicines.
3. Adapted to excite venereal desire; aphrodisiac.
4. Consisting of, or pertaining to, copper, formerly called
by chemists Venus. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Venereal \Ve*ne"re*al\, n. (Med.)
The venereal disease; syphilis.
Venerean \Ve*ne"re*an\, a. [Cf. F. v['e]n['e]rien.]
Devoted to the offices of Venus, or love; venereal. [Obs.]
``I am all venerean in feeling.'' --Chaucer.
Venereous \Ve*ne"re*ous\, a. [L. venereus.]
1. Venereal; exciting lust; aphrodisiac. [Obs.]
2. Lustful; lascivious; libidinous. [R.] --Derham.
Venerous \Ven"er*ous\, a.
Venereous. [Obs.] --Burton.
Venery \Ven"er*y\, n. [L. Venus, Veneris, the goddess of love.]
Sexual love; sexual intercourse; coition.
Contentment, without the pleasure of lawful venery, is
continence; of unlawful, chastity. --Grew.
Venery \Ven"er*y\, n. [OE. venerie, F. v['e]nerie, fr. OF. vener
to hunt, L. venari. See {Venison}.]
The art, act, or practice of hunting; the sports of the
chase. ``Beasts of venery and fishes.'' --Sir T. Browne.
I love hunting and venery. --Chaucer.
Venesection \Ve`ne*sec"tion\, n. [NL. venaesectio; L. vena vein
+ sectio section.] (Med.)
The act or operation of opening a vein for letting blood;
bloodletting; phlebotomy.
Venetian \Ve*ne"tian\, a. [Cf. It. Veneziano, L. Venetianus.]
Of or pertaining to Venice in Italy.
{Venetian blind}, a blind for windows, doors, etc., made of
thin slats, either fixed at a certain angle in the
shutter, or movable, and in the latter case so disposed as
to overlap each other when close, and to show a series of
open spaces for the admission of air and light when in
other positions.
{Venetian carpet}, an inexpensive carpet, used for passages
and stairs, having a woolen warp which conceals the weft;
the pattern is therefore commonly made up of simple
stripes.
{Venetian chalk}, a white compact or steatite, used for
marking on cloth, etc.
{Venetian door} (Arch.), a door having long, narrow windows
or panes of glass on the sides.
{Venetian glass}, a kind of glass made by the Venetians, for
decorative purposes, by the combination of pieces of glass
of different colors fused together and wrought into
various ornamental patterns.
{Venetian red}, a brownish red color, prepared from sulphate
of iron; -- called also {scarlet ocher}.
{Venetian soap}. See {Castile soap}, under {Soap}.
{Venetian sumac} (Bot.), a South European tree ({Rhus
Cotinus}) which yields the yellow dyewood called fustet;
-- also called {smoke tree}.
{Venetian window} (Arch.), a window consisting of a main
window with an arched head, having on each side a long and
narrow window with a square head.
Venetian \Ve*ne"tian\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Venice.
Venew \Ven"ew\, n. [F. venue, lit., an arrival, from venir, p.
p. venu, venue, to come. See {Venue}.]
A bout, or turn, as at fencing; a thrust; a hit; a veney.
[Obs.] --Fuller.
Veney \Ven"ey\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. {Venew} or {Visne}.]
A bout; a thrust; a venew. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes. --Shak.
Venge \Venge\, v. t. [F. venger. See {Vengeance}.]
To avenge; to punish; to revenge. [Obs.] See {Avenge}, and
{Revenge}. --Chaucer. ``To venge me, as I may.'' --Shak.
Vengeable \Venge"a*ble\, a.
Revengeful; deserving revenge. [Obs.] --Spenser. --
{Venge"a*bly}, adv. [Obs.]
Vengeance \Venge"ance\, n. [F. vengeance, fr. venger to avenge,
L. vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge, fr. vindex a
claimant, defender, avenger, the first part of which is of
uncertain origin, and the last part akin to dicere to say.
See {Diction}, and cf. {Avenge}, {Revenge}, {Vindicate}.]
1. Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an
offense; retribution; -- often, in a bad sense, passionate
or unrestrained revenge.
To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. --Deut.
xxxii. 35.
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes. --Milton.
2. Harm; mischief. [Obs.] --Shak.
{What a vengeance}, or {What the vengeance}, what! --
emphatically. [Obs.] ``But what a vengeance makes thee
fly!'' --Hudibras. ``What the vengeance! Could he not
speak 'em fair?'' --Shak.
{With a vengeance}, with great violence; as, to strike with a
vengeance. [Colloq.]
Vengeancely \Venge"ance*ly\, adv.
Extremely; excessively. [Obs.] ``He loves that vengeancely.''
--Beau. & Fl.
Vengeful \Venge"ful\, a.
Vindictive; retributive; revengeful. ``Vengeful ire.''
--Milton. -- {Venge"ful*ly}, adv.
Vengement \Venge"ment\, n. [OF. vengement.]
Avengement; penal retribution; vengeance. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Venger \Ven"ger\, n.
An avenger. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Veniable \Ve"ni*a*ble\, a. [L. veniabilis, fr. venia
forgiveness, pardon.]
Venial; pardonable. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne. -- {Ve"ni*a*bly},
adv. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Venial \Ve"ni*al\, a. [OF. venial, F. v['e]niel, L. venialis,
from venia forgiveness, pardon, grace, favor, kindness; akin
to venerari to venerate. See {Venerate}.]
1. Capable of being forgiven; not heinous; excusable;
pardonable; as, a venial fault or transgression.
So they do nothing, 't is a venial slip. --Shak.
2. Allowed; permitted. [Obs.] ``Permitting him the while
venial discourse unblamed.'' --Milton.
{Venial sin} (R. C. Theol.), a sin which weakens, but does
not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or
deadly, sins. -- {Ve"ni*al*ly}, adv. -- {Ve"ni*al*ness},
n. --Bp. Hall.
Veniality \Ve`ni*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being venial; venialness. --Jer.
Taylor.
Venire facias \Ve*ni"re fa"ci*as\ [L., make, or cause, to come.]
(Law)
(a) A judicial writ or precept directed to the sheriff,
requiring him to cause a certain number of qualified
persons to appear in court at a specified time, to serve
as jurors in said court.
(b) A writ in the nature of a summons to cause the party
indicted on a penal statute to appear. Called also
{venire}.
Venison \Ven"i*son\ (?; 277), n. [OE. veneison, veneson,
venison, OF. veneison, F. venaison, L. venatio hunting, the
chase, game, fr. venari, p. p. venatus, to hunt; perhaps akin
to OHG. weidin?n, weidenen, to pasture, to hunt, G. weide
pasturage. Cf. {Gain} to acquire, {Venation}.]
1. Beasts of the chase. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
2. Formerly, the flesh of any of the edible beasts of the
chase, also of game birds; now, the flesh of animals of
the deer kind exclusively.
Venite \Ve*ni"te\, n. [L., come, imperative 2d person pl. So
called from its opening word in the Latin version.] (Eccl.)
The 95th Psalm, which is said or sung regularly in the public
worship of many churches. Also, a musical composition adapted
to this Psalm.
Venom \Ven"om\, n. [OE. venim, OF. venim, F. venin, L. veneum.
Cf. {Venenate}.]
1. Matter fatal or injurious to life; poison; particularly,
the poisonous, the poisonous matter which certain animals,
such as serpents, scorpions, bees, etc., secrete in a
state of health, and communicate by thing or stinging.
Or hurtful worm with cankered venom bites. --Milton.
2. Spite; malice; malignity; evil quality. Chaucer. ``The
venom of such looks.'' --Shak.
Syn: Venom; virus; bane. See {Poison}.
Venom \Ven"om\, v. t. [OE. venimen, OF. venimer, L. venenare.
See {Venom}, n.]
To infect with venom; to envenom; to poison. [R.] ``Venomed
vengeance.'' --Shak.
Venomous \Ven"om*ous\, a. [OE. venemous, venimous, F. venimeux,
L. venenosus, fr. venenum poison. See {Venom}, and cf.
{Venenose}.]
1. Full of venom; noxious to animal life; poisonous; as, the
bite of a serpent may be venomous.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a poison gland or glands for the
secretion of venom, as certain serpents and insects.
3. Noxious; mischievous; malignant; spiteful; as, a venomous
progeny; a venomous writer.
{Venomous snake} (Zo["o]l.), any serpent which has poison
glands and fangs, whether dangerous to man or not. These
serpents constitute two tribes, the viperine serpents, or
Solenoglypha, and the cobralike serpents, or
Proteroglypha. The former have perforated, erectile fangs
situated in the front part of the upper jaw, and are
without ordinary teeth behind the fangs; the latter have
permanently erect and grooved fangs, with ordinary
maxillary teeth behind them. -- {Ven"om*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Ven"om*ous*ness}, n.
Venose \Ve*nose"\, a. [See {Venous}.]
Having numerous or conspicuous veins; veiny; as, a venose
frond.
Venosity \Ve*nos"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or state of being venous.
2. (Med.) A condition in which the circulation is retarded,
and the entire mass of blood is less oxygenated than it
normally is.
Venous \Ven"ous\, a. [L. venosus, from vena a vein. See {Vein}.]
1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a vein or veins; as, the
venous circulation of the blood.
2. Contained in the veins, or having the same qualities as if
contained in the veins, that is, having a dark bluish
color and containing an insufficient amount of oxygen so
as no longer to be fit for oxygenating the tissues; --
said of the blood, and opposed to arterial.
3. Marked with veins; veined; as, a venous leaf.
{Venous leaf} (Bot.), a leaf having vessels branching, or
variously divided, over its surface.
{Venous hum} (Med.), a humming sound, or bruit, heard during
auscultation of the veins of the neck in an[ae]mia.
{Venous pulse} (Physiol.), the pulse, or rhythmic
contraction, sometimes seen in a vein, as in the neck,
when there is an obstruction to the passage of blood from
the auricles to the ventricles, or when there is an
abnormal rigidity in the walls of the greater vessels.
There is normally no pulse in a vein.
Vent \Vent\, n. [F. vente, fr. L. vendere, -itum, to sell; perh.
confused with E. vent an opening. See {Vend}.]
Sale; opportunity to sell; market. [Obs.] --Shelton.
There is no vent for any commodity but of wool. --Sir
W. Temple.
Vent \Vent\, v. t.
To sell; to vend. [Obs.]
Therefore did those nations vent such spice. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Vent \Vent\, n. [Sp. venta a poor inn, sale, market. See {Vent}
sale.]
A baiting place; an inn. [Obs.]
Vent \Vent\, v. i. [Cf. F. venter to blow, vent wind (see
{Ventilate}); but prob influenced by E. vent an opening.]
To snuff; to breathe or puff out; to snort. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vent \Vent\, n. [OE. fent, fente, a slit, F. fente a slit,
cleft, fissure, from fendre to split, L. findere; but
probably confused with F. vent wind, L. ventus. See
{Fissure}, and cf. Vent to snuff.]
1. A small aperture; a hole or passage for air or any fluid
to escape; as, the vent of a cask; the vent of a mold; a
volcanic vent.
Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents. --Shak.
Long't was doubtful, both so closely pent, Which
first should issue from the narrow vent. --Pope.
2. Specifically:
(a) (Zo["o]l.) The anal opening of certain invertebrates
and fishes; also, the external cloacal opening of
reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes.
(b) (Gun.) The opening at the breech of a firearm, through
which fire is communicated to the powder of the
charge; touchhole.
(c) (Steam Boilers) Sectional area of the passage for
gases divided by the length of the same passage in
feet.
3. Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from confinement or
privacy; outlet.
4. Emission; escape; passage to notice or expression;
publication; utterance.
Without the vent of words. --Milton.
Thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel.
--Shak.
{To give vent to}, to suffer to escape; to let out; to pour
forth; as, to give vent to anger.
{To take vent}, to escape; to be made public. [R.]
{Vent feather} (Zo["o]l.), one of the anal, or crissal,
feathers of a bird.
{Vent field} (Gun.), a flat raised surface around a vent.
{Vent piece}. (Gun.)
(a) A bush. See 4th {Bush}, n., 2.
(b) A breech block.
Vent \Vent\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vented}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Venting}.]
1. To let out at a vent, or small aperture; to give passage
or outlet to.
2. To suffer to escape from confinement; to let out; to
utter; to pour forth; as, to vent passion or complaint.
The queen of heaven did thus her fury vent.
--Dryden.
3. To utter; to report; to publish. [Obs.]
By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. --Milton.
Thou hast framed and vented very curious orations.
--Barrow.
4. To scent, as a hound. [Obs.] --Turbervile.
5. To furnish with a vent; to make a vent in; as, to vent. a
mold.
Ventage \Vent"age\, n.
A small hole, as the stop in a flute; a vent. --Shak.
Ventail \Vent"ail\, n. [OF. ventaille, F. ventail. See
{Ventilate}, and cf. {Aventail}.]
That part of a helmet which is intended for the admission of
air, -- sometimes in the visor. --Spenser.
Her ventail up so high that he descried Her goodly
visage and her beauty's pride. --Fairfax.
Venter \Vent"er\, n.
One who vents; one who utters, reports, or publishes. [R.]
--Barrow.
Venter \Vent"er\, n. [L.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) The belly; the abdomen; -- sometimes applied to any
large cavity containing viscera.
(b) The uterus, or womb.
(c) A belly, or protuberant part; a broad surface; as, the
venter of a muscle; the venter, or anterior surface,
of the scapula.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The lower part of the abdomen in insects.
3. (Rom. & O. E. Law) A pregnant woman; a mother; as, A has a
son B by one venter, and a daughter C by another venter;
children by different venters.
Venthole \Vent"hole\, n.
A touchhole; a vent.
Ventiduct \Ven"ti*duct\, n. [L. ventus wind + ductus a leading,
conduit, fr. ducere, ductum, to lead.]
A passage for wind or air; a passage or pipe for ventilating
apartments. --Gwilt.
Ventilate \Ven"ti*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ventilated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Ventilating}.] [L. ventilatus, p. p. of
ventilare to toss, brandish in the air, to fan, to winnow,
from ventus wind; akin to E. wind. See {Wind} rushing air.]
1. To open and expose to the free passage of air; to supply
with fresh air, and remove impure air from; to air; as, to
ventilate a room; to ventilate a cellar; to ventilate a
mine.
2. To provide with a vent, or escape, for air, gas, etc.; as,
to ventilate a mold, or a water-wheel bucket.
3. To change or renew, as the air of a room. --Harvey.
4. To winnow; to fan; as, to ventilate wheat.
5. To sift and examine; to bring out, and subject to
penetrating scrutiny; to expose to examination and
discussion; as, to ventilate questions of policy.
--Ayliffe.
6. To give vent; to utter; to make public.
Macaulay took occasion to ventilate one of those
starling, but not very profound, paradoxes. --J. C.
Shairp.
Ventilation \Ven`ti*la"tion\, n. [L. ventilatio: cf. F.
ventilation.]
1. The act of ventilating, or the state of being ventilated;
the art or process of replacing foul air by that which is
pure, in any inclosed place, as a house, a church, a mine,
etc.; free exposure to air.
Insuring, for the laboring man, better ventilation.
--F. W.
Robertson.
2. The act of refrigerating, or cooling; refrigeration; as,
ventilation of the blood. [Obs.] --Harvey.
3. The act of fanning, or winnowing, for the purpose of
separating chaff and dust from the grain.
4. The act of sifting, and bringing out to view or
examination; free discussion; public exposure.
The ventilation of these points diffused them to the
knowledge of the world. --Bp. Hall.
5. The act of giving vent or expression. ``Ventilation of his
thoughts.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
Ventilative \Ven"ti*la*tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to ventilation; adapted to secure
ventilation; ventilating; as, ventilative apparatus.
Ventilator \Ven"ti*la`tor\, n. [Cf. F. ventilateur, L.
ventilator a winnower.]
A contrivance for effecting ventilation; especially, a
contrivance or machine for drawing off or expelling foul or
stagnant air from any place or apartment, or for introducing
that which is fresh and pure.
Ventose \Ven*tose"\, n.
A ventouse. [Obs.] --Holland.
Ventose \Ven*tose"\, a. [L. ventosus windy. See {Ventilate}.]
Windy; flatulent. --Richardson (Dict.).
Ventose \Ven`tose"\, n. [F. vent[^o]se. See {Ventose}, a.]
The sixth month of the calendar adopted by the first French
republic. It began February 19, and ended March 20. See
{Vend?miaire}.
Ventosity \Ven*tos"i*ty\, n. [L. ventositas: cf. F.
ventosit['e]. See {Ventose}, n.]
Quality or state of being ventose; windiness; hence,
vainglory; pride. --Bacon.
Ventouse \Ven"touse\, n. [F.]
A cupping glass. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ventouse \Ven"touse\, v. t. & i.
To cup; to use a cupping glass. [Obs.] [Written also
{ventuse}.] --Chaucer.
Ventrad \Ven"trad\, adv. [L. venter belly + ad to.] (Anat.)
Toward the ventral side; on the ventral side; ventrally; --
opposed to dorsad.
Ventral \Ven"tral\, a. [L. ventralis, fr. venter the belly;
perhaps akin to G. wanst: cf. F. ventral.]
1. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or situated near, the belly, or
ventral side, of an animal or of one of its parts; hemal;
abdominal; as, the ventral fin of a fish; the ventral root
of a spinal nerve; -- opposed to {dorsal}.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Of or pertaining to that surface of a carpel, petal,
etc., which faces toward the center of a flower.
(b) Of or pertaining to the lower side or surface of a
creeping moss or other low flowerless plant. Opposed
to {dorsal}.
{Ventral fins} (Zo["o]l.), the posterior pair of fins of a
fish. They are often situated beneath the belly, but
sometimes beneath the throat.
{Ventral segment}. (Acoustics) See {Loop}, n., 5.
Ventricle \Ven"tri*cle\, n. [L. ventriculus the stomach, a
ventricle, dim. of venter the belly: cf. F. ventricule. See
{Ventral}.]
1. (Anat.) A cavity, or one of the cavities, of an organ, as
of the larynx or the brain; specifically, the posterior
chamber, or one of the two posterior chambers, of the
heart, which receives the blood from the auricle and
forces it out from the heart. See {Heart}.
Note: The principal ventricles of the brain are the fourth in
the medulla, the third in the midbrain, the first and
second, or lateral, ventricles in the cerebral
hemispheres, all of which are connected with each
other, and the fifth, or pseudoc[oe]le, situated
between the hemispheres, in front of, or above, the
fornix, and entirely disconnected with the other
cavities. See {Brain}, and {C[oe]lia}.
2. The stomach. [Obs.]
Whether I will or not, while I live, my heart beats,
and my ventricle digests what is in it. --Sir M.
Hale.
3. Fig.: Any cavity, or hollow place, in which any function
may be conceived of as operating.
These [ideas] are begot on the ventricle of memory.
--Shak.
Ventricose \Ven"tri*cose`\, Ventricous \Ven"tri*cous\, a. [NL.
ventricosus, fr. L. venter belly.] (Nat. Hist.)
Swelling out on one side or unequally; bellied; ventricular;
as, a ventricose corolla.
{Ventricose shell}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A spiral shell having the body whorls rounded or swollen
in the middle.
(b) A bivalve shell in which the valves are strongly convex.
Ventricular \Ven*tric"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. ventriculaire.]
Of or pertaining to a ventricle; bellied.
Ventriculite \Ven*tric"u*lite\, n. [See {Ventriculus}.]
(Paleon.)
Any one of numerous species of siliceous fossil sponges
belonging to {Ventriculites} and allied genera,
characteristic of the Cretaceous period.
Note: Many of them were shaped like vases, others like
mushrooms. They belong to the hexactinellids, and are
allied to the Venus's basket of modern seas.
Ventriculous \Ven*tric"u*lous\, a. [L. ventriculosus of the
belly.]
Somewhat distended in the middle; ventricular.
Ventriculus \Ven*tric"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Ventriculi}. [L., belly,
dim. fr. venter belly.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the stomachs of certain insects.
(b) The body cavity of a sponge.
Ventrilocution \Ven`tri*lo*cu"tion\, n. [See {Ventriloquous}.]
Ventriloquism.
Ventriloquial \Ven`tri*lo"qui*al\, a.
Ventriloquous.
Ventriloquism \Ven*tril"o*quism\, n. [See {Ventriloquous}.]
The act, art, or practice of speaking in such a manner that
the voice appears to come, not from the person speaking, but
from some other source, as from the opposite side of the
room, from the cellar, etc.
Ventriloquist \Ven*tril"o*quist\, n.
One who practices, or is skilled in, ventriloquism.
{Ventriloquist monkey} (Zo["o]l.), the onappo; -- so called
from the character of its cry.
Ventriloquize \Ven*tril"o*quize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Ventriloquized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ventriloquizing} .]
To practice ventriloquism; to speak like a ventriloquist.
Ventriloquous \Ven*tril"o*quous\, a. [L. ventriloquus a
ventriloquist; venter the belly + loqui, p. p. locutus, to
speak. See {Ventral}, and {Loquacious}.]
Of or pertaining to a ventriloquist or ventriloquism.
Ventriloquy \Ven*tril"o*quy\, n. [Cf. F. ventriloquie.]
Same as {Ventriloquism}.
Ventrimeson \Ven`tri*mes"on\, n. [NL. See {Venter}, and
{Meson}.] (Anat.)
See {Meson}.
Ventro- \Ven"tro-\ [L. venter belly.]
A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with,
or relation to, the abdomen; also, connection with, relation
to, or direction toward, the ventral side; as, ventrolateral;
ventro-inguinal.
Ventro-inguinal \Ven`tro-in"gui*nal\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining both to the abdomen and groin, or to the abdomen
and inguinal canal; as, ventro-inguinal hernia.
Venture \Ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [Aphetic form of OE. aventure.
See {Adventure}.]
1. An undertaking of chance or danger; the risking of
something upon an event which can not be foreseen with
certainty; a hazard; a risk; a speculation.
I, in this venture, double gains pursue. --Dryden.
2. An event that is not, or can not be, foreseen; an
accident; chance; hap; contingency; luck. --Bacon.
3. The thing put to hazard; a stake; a risk; especially,
something sent to sea in trade.
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted. --Shak.
{At a venture}, at hazard; without seeing the end or mark;
without foreseeing the issue; at random.
A certain man drew a bow at a venture. --1 Kings
xxii. 34.
A bargain at a venture made. --Hudibras.
Note: The phrase at a venture was originally at aventure,
that is, at adventure.
Venture \Ven"ture\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ventured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Venturing}.]
1. To hazard one's self; to have the courage or presumption
to do, undertake, or say something; to dare. --Bunyan.
2. To make a venture; to run a hazard or risk; to take the
chances.
Who freights a ship to venture on the seas. --J.
Dryden, Jr.
{To venture at}, or {To venture on} or {upon}, to dare to
engage in; to attempt without any certainty of success;
as, it is rash to venture upon such a project. ``When I
venture at the comic style.'' --Waller.
Venture \Ven"ture\, v. t.
1. To expose to hazard; to risk; to hazard; as, to venture
one's person in a balloon.
I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. --Shak.
2. To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a
horse to the West Indies.
3. To confide in; to rely on; to trust. [R.]
A man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of
one whom he would not venture to feel his pulse.
--Addison.
Venturer \Ven"tur*er\, n.
1. One who ventures, or puts to hazard; an adventurer.
--Beau. & Fl.
2. A strumpet; a prostitute. [R.] --J. Webster (1607).
Venturesome \Ven"ture*some\, a.
Inclined to venture; not loth to run risk or danger;
venturous; bold; daring; adventurous; as, a venturesome boy
or act. -- {Ven"ture*some*ly}, adv. -- {Ven"ture*some*ness},
n.
Venturine \Ven"tur*ine\, n. [Cf. {Aventurine}.] (Japanning)
Gold powder for covering varnished surfaces.
Venturous \Ven"tur*ous\, a. [Aphetic form of OE. aventurous. See
{Adventurous}, {Venture}, n.]
Daring; bold; hardy; fearless; venturesome; adveturous; as, a
venturous soldier. --Spenser.
This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm He
plucked, he tasted. --Milton.
-- {Ven"tur*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Ven"tur*ous*ness}, n.
Ventuse \Ven"tuse\, v. t. & i.
See {Ventouse}. [Obs.]
Venue \Ven"ue\, n. [F. venue a coming, arrival, fr. venir to
come, L. venire; hence, in English, the place whither the
jury are summoned to come. See {Come}, and cf. {Venew},
{Veney}.]
1. (Law) A neighborhood or near place; the place or county in
which anything is alleged to have happened; also, the
place where an action is laid.
The twelve men who are to try the cause must be of
the same venue where the demand is made.
--Blackstone.
Note: In certain cases, the court has power to change the
venue, which is to direct the trial to be had in a
different county from that where the venue is laid.
2. A bout; a hit; a turn. See {Venew}. [R.]
{To lay a venue} (Law), to allege a place.
Venule \Ven"ule\, n. [L. venula, dim. from vena vein.]
A small vein; a veinlet; specifically (Zo["o]l.), one of the
small branches of the veins of the wings in insects.
Venulose \Ven"u*lose`\, a.
Full of venules, or small veins.
Venus \Ve"nus\, n. [L. Venus, -eris, the goddess of love, the
planet Venus.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The goddess of beauty and love, that is,
beauty or love deified.
2. (Anat.) One of the planets, the second in order from the
sun, its orbit lying between that of Mercury and that of
the Earth, at a mean distance from the sun of about
67,000,000 miles. Its diameter is 7,700 miles, and its
sidereal period 224.7 days. As the morning star, it was
called by the ancients {Lucifer}; as the evening star,
{Hesperus}.
3. (Alchem.) The metal copper; -- probably so designated from
the ancient use of the metal in making mirrors, a mirror
being still the astronomical symbol of the planet Venus.
[Archaic]
4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve
shells of the genus {Venus} or family {Venerid[ae]}. Many
of these shells are large, and ornamented with beautiful
frills; others are smooth, glossy, and handsomely colored.
Some of the larger species, as the round clam, or quahog,
are valued for food.
{Venus's basin} (Bot.), the wild teasel; -- so called because
the connate leaf bases form a kind of receptacle for
water, which was formerly gathered for use in the toilet.
Also called {Venus's bath}.
{Venus's basket} (Zo["o]l.), an elegant, cornucopia-shaped,
hexactinellid sponge ({Euplectella speciosa}) native of
the East Indies. It consists of glassy, transparent,
siliceous fibers interwoven and soldered together so as to
form a firm network, and has long, slender, divergent
anchoring fibers at the base by means of which it stands
erect in the soft mud at the bottom of the sea. Called
also {Venus's flower basket}, and {Venus's purse}.
{Venus's comb}.
(a) (Bot.) Same as {Lady's comb}.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) A species of {Murex} ({M. tenuispinus}). It
has a long, tubular canal, with a row of long, slender
spines along both of its borders, and rows of similar
spines covering the body of the shell. Called also
{Venus's shell}.
{Venus's fan} (Zo["o]l.), a common reticulated, fanshaped
gorgonia ({Gorgonia flabellum}) native of Florida and the
West Indies. When fresh the color is purple or yellow, or
a mixture of the two.
{Venus's flytrap}. (Bot.) See {Flytrap}, 2.
{Venus's girdle} (Zo["o]l.), a long, flat, ribbonlike, very
delicate, transparent and iridescent ctenophore ({Cestum
Veneris}) which swims in the open sea. Its form is due to
the enormous development of two spheromeres. See Illust.
in Appendix.
{Venus's hair} (Bot.), a delicate and graceful fern
({Adiantum Capillus-Veneris}) having a slender, black and
shining stem and branches.
{Venus's hair stone} (Min.), quartz penetrated by acicular
crystals of rutile.
{Venus's looking-glass} (Bot.), an annual plant of the genus
{Specularia} allied to the bellflower; -- also called
{lady's looking-glass}.
{Venus's navelwort} (Bot.), any one of several species of
{Omphalodes}, low boraginaceous herbs with small blue or
white flowers.
{Venus's pride} (Bot.), an old name for Quaker ladies. See
under {Quaker}.
{Venus's purse}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Venus's basket}, above.
{Venus's shell}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any species of Cypr[ae]a; a cowrie.
(b) Same as {Venus's comb}, above.
(c) Same as {Venus}, 4.
{Venus's slipper}.
(a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus {Cypripedium}. See
{Lady's slipper}.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) Any heteropod shell of the genus
{Carinaria}. See {Carinaria}.
Venust \Ve*nust"\, a. [L. venustus, from Venus the goddess of
love.]
Beautiful. [R.] --E. Waterhouse.
Veracious \Ve*ra"cious\, a. [L. verax, -acis, fr. verus true.
See {Very}.]
1. Observant of truth; habitually speaking truth; truthful;
as, veracious historian.
The Spirit is most perfectly and absolutely
veracious. --Barrow.
2. Characterized by truth; not false; as, a veracious account
or narrative.
The young, ardent soul that enters on this world
with heroic purpose, with veracious insight, will
find it a mad one. --Carlyle.
Veraciously \Ve*ra"cious*ly\, adv.
In a veracious manner.
Veracity \Ve*rac"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. v['e]racit['e].]
The quality or state of being veracious; habitual observance
of truth; truthfulness; truth; as, a man of veracity.
Veranda \Ve*ran"da\, n. [A word brought by the English from
India; of uncertain origin; cf. Skr. vara??a, Pg. varanda,
Sp. baranda, Malay baranda.] (Arch.)
An open, roofed gallery or portico, adjoining a dwelling
house, forming an out-of-door sitting room. See {Loggia}.
The house was of adobe, low, with a wide veranda on the
three sides of the inner court. --Mrs. H. H.
Jackson.
Veratralbine \Ver`a*tral"bine\, n. (Chem.)
A yellowish amorphous alkaloid extracted from the rootstock
of Veratrum album.
Veratrate \Ve*ra"trate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of veratric acid.
Veratria \Ve*ra"tri*a\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
Veratrine.
Veratric \Ve*ra"tric\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, plants of the genus Veratrum.
{Veratric acid} (Chem.), an acid occurring, together with
veratrine, in the root of white hellebore ({Veratrum
album}), and in sabadilla seed; -- extracted as a white
crystalline substance which is related to protocatechuic
acid.
Veratrina \Ver`a*tri"na\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
Same as {Veratrine}.
Veratrine \Ve*ra"trine\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. v['e]ratrine. See
{Veratrum}.] (Chem.)
A poisonous alkaloid obtained from the root hellebore
({Veratrum}) and from sabadilla seeds as a white crystalline
powder, having an acrid, burning taste. It is sometimes used
externally, as in ointments, in the local treatment of
neuralgia and rheumatism. Called also {veratria}, and
{veratrina}.
Veratrol \Ve*ra"trol\, n. [Veratric + ol.] (Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon obtained by the decomposition of
veratric acid, and constituting the dimethyl ether of
pyrocatechin.
Veratrum \Ve*ra"trum\, n. [L. veratrum hellebore.] (Bot.)
A genus of coarse liliaceous herbs having very poisonous
qualities.
Note: Veratrum album of Europe, and Veratrum viride of
America, are both called hellebore. They grow in wet
land, have large, elliptical, plicate leaves in three
vertical ranks, and bear panicles of greenish flowers.
Verb \Verb\, n. [F. verbe, L. verbum a word, verb. See {Word}.]
1. A word; a vocable. [Obs.] --South.
2. (Gram.) A word which affirms or predicates something of
some person or thing; a part of speech expressing being,
action, or the suffering of action.
Note: A verb is a word whereby the chief action of the mind
[the assertion or the denial of a proposition] finds
expression. --Earle.
{Active verb}, {Auxiliary verb}, {Neuter verb}, etc. See
{Active}, {Auxiliary}, {Neuter}, etc.
Verbal \Ver"bal\, a. [F., fr. L. verbalis. See {Verb}.]
1. Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but
commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not
written; as, a verbal contract; verbal testimony.
Made she no verbal question? --Shak.
We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the
reader a far better notion of the structure than any
verbal description could convey to the mind.
--Mayhew.
2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing
with words rather than with the ideas intended to be
conveyed; as, a verbal critic; a verbal change.
And loses, though but verbal, his reward. --Milton.
Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial
knowledge. --Whewell.
3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as,
a verbal translation.
4. Abounding with words; verbose. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. (Gram.) Of or pertaining to a verb; as, a verbal group;
derived directly from a verb; as, a verbal noun; used in
forming verbs; as, a verbal prefix.
{Verbal inspiration}. See under {Inspiration}.
{Verbal noun} (Gram.), a noun derived directly from a verb or
verb stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to
infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter.
See {Gerund}, and {-ing}, 2. See also, {Infinitive mood},
under {Infinitive}.
Verbal \Ver"bal\, n. (Gram.)
A noun derived from a verb.
Verbalism \Ver"bal*ism\, n.
Something expressed verbally; a verbal remark or expression.
Verbalist \Ver"bal*ist\, n.
A literal adherent to, or a minute critic of, words; a
literalist.
Verbality \Ver*bal"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being verbal; mere words; bare
literal expression. [R.] ``More verbality than matter.''
--Bp. Hall.
Verbalization \Ver`bal*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of verbalizing, or the state of being verbalized.
Verbalize \Ver"bal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Verbalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Verbalizing}.] [Cf. F. verbaliser.]
To convert into a verb; to verbify.
Verbalize \Ver"bal*ize\, v. i.
To be verbose.
Verbally \Ver"bal*ly\, adv.
1. In a verbal manner; orally.
2. Word for word; verbatim. --Dryden.
Verbarian \Ver*ba"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to words; verbal. [R.] --Coleridge.
Verbarian \Ver*ba"ri*an\, n.
One who coins words. [R.]
Southey gives himself free scope as a verbarian.
--Fitzed.
Hall.
Verbarium \Ver*ba"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. verbum word.]
A game in word making. See {Logomachy}, 2.
Verbatim \Ver*ba"tim\, adv. [LL., fr. L. verbum word.]
Word for word; in the same words; verbally; as, to tell a
story verbatim as another has related it.
{Verbatim et literatim} [LL.], word for word, and letter for
letter.
Verbena \Ver*be"na\, n. [L. See {Vervain}.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous plants of which several species are
extensively cultivated for the great beauty of their flowers;
vervain.
Note: Verbena, or vervain, was used by the Greeks, the
Romans, and the Druids, in their sacred rites.
--Brewer.
{Essence of verbena}, {Oil of verbena}, a perfume prepared
from the lemon verbena; also, a similar perfume properly
called {grass oil}. See {Grass oil}, under {Grass}.
{Lemon}, or {Sweet}, {verbena}, a shrubby verbenaceous plant
({Lippia citriodora}), with narrow leaves which exhale a
pleasant, lemonlike fragrance when crushed.
Verbenaceous \Ver`be*na"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a natural order ({Verbenace[ae]}) of
gamopetalous plants of which Verbena is the type. The order
includes also the black and white mangroves, and many plants
noted for medicinal use or for beauty of bloom.
Verbenate \Ver"be*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Verbenated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Verbenating}.] [L. verbenatus crowned with a
wreath of sacred boughs. See {Verbena}.]
To strew with verbena, or vervain, as in ancient sacrifices
and rites.
Verberate \Ver"ber*ate\, v. t. [L. verberatus, p. p. of
verberare to beat, from verber a lash, a whip.]
To beat; to strike. [Obs.] ``The sound . . . rebounds again
and verberates the skies.'' --Mir. for Mag.
Verberation \Ver`ber*a"tion\, n. [L. verberatio: cf. F.
verb['e]ration.]
1. The act of verberating; a beating or striking.
--Arbuthnot.
2. The impulse of a body; which causes sound. [R.]
Verbiage \Ver"bi*age\ (?; 48), n. [F. verbiage, from OF. verbe a
word. See {Verb}.]
The use of many words without necessity, or with little
sense; a superabundance of words; verbosity; wordiness.
Verbiage may indicate observation, but not thinking.
--W. Irving.
This barren verbiage current among men. --Tennyson.
Verify \Ver"i*fy\, v. t. [Verb + -fy.]
To make into a verb; to use as a verb; to verbalize. [R.]
--Earle.
Verbose \Ver*bose"\, a. [L. verbosus, from verbum a word. See
{Verb}.]
Abounding in words; using or containing more words than are
necessary; tedious by a multiplicity of words; prolix; wordy;
as, a verbose speaker; a verbose argument.
Too verbose in their way of speaking. --Ayliffe.
-- {Ver*bose"ly}, adv. -- {Ver*bose"ness}, n.
Verbosity \Ver*bos"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Verbosities}. [L. verbositas:
cf. F. verbosit['e].]
The quality or state of being verbose; the use of more words
than are necessary; prolixity; wordiness; verbiage.
The worst fault, by far, is the extreme diffuseness and
verbosity of his style. --Jeffrey.
Verd \Verd\, n. [See {Vert}, {Verdant}.]
1. (Eng. Forest Law)
(a) The privilege of cutting green wood within a forest
for fuel.
(b) The right of pasturing animals in a forest. --Burrill.
2. Greenness; freshness. [Obs.] --Nares.
Verdancy \Ver"dan*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being verdant.
Verdant \Ver"dant\, a. [F. verdoyant, p. pr. of verdoyer to be
verdant, to grow green, OF. verdoier, verdeier, fr. verd,
vert, green, fr. L. viridis green, fr. virere to be green:
cf. OF. verdant verdant, L. viridans, p. pr. of viridare to
make green. Cf. {Farthingale}, {Verjuice}, {Vert}.]
1. Covered with growing plants or grass; green; fresh;
flourishing; as, verdant fields; a verdant lawn.
Let the earth Put forth the verdant grass. --Milton.
2. Unripe in knowledge or judgment; unsophisticated; raw;
green; as, a verdant youth. [Colloq.]
Verd antique \Verd` an*tique"\ [F. vert antique a kind of
marble; verd, vert, green + antique ancient: cf. It. verde
antico.] (Min.)
(a) A mottled-green serpentine marble.
(b) A green porphyry called {oriental verd antique}.
Verdantly \Ver"dant*ly\, adv.
In a verdant manner.
Verderer \Ver"der*er\, Verderor \Ver"der*or\, n. [F. verdier,
LL. viridarius, fr. L. viridis green.] (Eng. Forest Law)
An officer who has the charge of the king's forest, to
preserve the vert and venison, keep the assizes, view,
receive, and enroll attachments and presentments of all
manner of trespasses. --Blackstone.
Verdict \Ver"dict\, n. [OE. verdit, OF. verdit, veirdit, LL.
verdictum, veredictum; L. vere truly (fr. verus true) +
dictum a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say. See
{Very}, and {Dictum}.]
1. (Law) The answer of a jury given to the court concerning
any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal,
committed to their examination and determination; the
finding or decision of a jury on the matter legally
submitted to them in the course of the trial of a cause.
Note: The decision of a judge or referee, upon an issue of
fact, is not called a verdict, but a finding, or a
finding of fact. --Abbott.
2. Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be
condemned by the verdict of the public.
These were enormities condemned by the most natural
verdict of common humanity. --South.
Two generations have since confirmed the verdict
which was pronounced on that night. --Macaulay.
Verdigris \Ver"di*gris\, n. [F. vert-de-gris, apparently from
verd, vert, green + de of + gris gray, but really a
corruption of LL. viride aeris (equivalent to L. aerugo),
from L. viridis green + aes, aeris, brass. See {Verdant}, and
2d {Ore}.]
1. (Chem.) A green poisonous substance used as a pigment and
drug, obtained by the action of acetic acid on copper, and
consisting essentially of a complex mixture of several
basic copper acetates.
2. The green rust formed on copper. [Colloq.]
Note: This rust is a carbonate of copper, and should not be
confounded with true verdigris. --U. S. Disp.
{Blue verdigris} (Chem.), a verdigris having a blue color,
used a pigment, etc.
{Distilled verdigris} (Old Chem.), an acid copper acetate; --
so called because the acetic acid used in making it was
obtained from distilled vinegar.
{Verdigris green}, clear bluish green, the color of
verdigris.
Verdigris \Ver"di*gris\, v. t.
To cover, or coat, with verdigris. [R.] ``An old verdigrised
brass bugle.'' --Hawthorne.
Verdin \Ver"din\, n. [Cf. Sp. verdino bright green, F. verdin
the yellow-hammer.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small yellow-headed bird ({Auriparus flaviceps}) of Lower
California, allied to the titmice; -- called also {goldtit}.
Verdine \Ver"dine\, n. [F. verd, vert, green.] (Chem.)
A commercial name for green aniline dye.
Verdingale \Ver"din*gale\, n.
See {Farthingale}. [Spelled also {verdingall}.] [Obs.]
Verdit \Ver"dit\, n.
Verdict. --Chaucer.
Verditer \Ver"di*ter\, n. [F. vert-de-terre, literally, green of
earth.] (Chem.)
(a) Verdigris. [Obs.]
(b) Either one of two pigments (called {blue verditer}, and
{green verditer}) which are made by treating copper
nitrate with calcium carbonate (in the form of lime,
whiting, chalk, etc.) They consist of hydrated copper
carbonates analogous to the minerals azurite and
malachite.
{Verditer blue}, a pale greenish blue color, like that of the
pigment verditer.
Verditure \Ver"di*ture\ (?; 135), n. [Cf. {Verditer}.]
The faintest and palest green.
Verdoy \Ver"doy\, a. [F. verdoyer to become green. See
{Verdant}.] (Her.)
Charged with leaves, fruits, flowers, etc.; -- said of a
border.
Verdure \Ver"dure\, n. [F., fr. L. viridis green. See
{Verdant}.]
Green; greenness; freshness of vegetation; as, the verdure of
the meadows in June.
A wide expanse of living verdure, cultivated gardens,
shady groves, fertile cornfields, flowed round it like
a sea. --Motley.
Verdured \Ver"dured\, a.
Covered with verdure. --Poe.
Verdureless \Ver"dure*less\, a.
Destitute of verdure.
Verdurous \Ver"dur*ous\, a.
Covered with verdure; clothed with the fresh green of
vegetation; verdured; verdant; as, verdurous pastures.
--Milton.
Verecund \Ver"e*cund\, a. [L. verecundus, fr. vereri to feel
awe.]
Rashful; modest. [Obs.]
Verecundious \Ver`e*cun"di*ous\, a.
Verecund. [Obs.] ``Verecundious generosity.'' --Sir H.
Wotton.
Verecundity \Ver`e*cun"di*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being verecund; modesty. [Obs.]
Veretillum \Ver`e*til"lum\, n. [L., dim. of veretrum the private
parts.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of club-shaped, compound
Alcyonaria belonging to {Veretillum} and allied genera, of
the tribe Pennatulacea. The whole colony can move about as if
it were a simple animal.
Vergalien \Ver"ga*lien\, Vergaloo \Ver"ga*loo\, n. [Cf.
{Virgouleuse}.] (Bot.)
See {Virgalieu}.
Verge \Verge\, n. [F. verge, L. virga; perhaps akin to E. wisp.]
1. A rod or staff, carried as an emblem of authority; as, the
verge, carried before a dean.
2. The stick or wand with which persons were formerly
admitted tenants, they holding it in the hand, and
swearing fealty to the lord. Such tenants were called
tenants by the verge. [Eng.]
3. (Eng. Law) The compass of the court of Marshalsea and the
Palace court, within which the lord steward and the
marshal of the king's household had special jurisdiction;
-- so called from the verge, or staff, which the marshal
bore.
4. A virgate; a yardland. [Obs.]
5. A border, limit, or boundary of a space; an edge, margin,
or brink of something definite in extent.
Even though we go to the extreme verge of
possibility to invent a supposition favorable to it,
the theory . . . implies an absurdity. --J. S. Mill.
But on the horizon's verge descried, Hangs, touched
with light, one snowy sail. --M. Arnold.
6. A circumference; a circle; a ring.
The inclusive verge Of golden metal that must round
my brow. --Shak.
7. (Arch.)
(a) The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft.
--Oxf. Gloss.
(b) The edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a
roof. --Encyc. Brit.
8. (Horol.) The spindle of a watch balance, especially one
with pallets, as in the old vertical escapement. See under
{Escapement}.
9. (Hort.)
(a) The edge or outside of a bed or border.
(b) A slip of grass adjoining gravel walks, and dividing
them from the borders in a parterre.
10. The penis.
11. (Zo["o]l.) The external male organ of certain mollusks,
worms, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.
Syn: Border; edge; rim; brim; margin; brink.
Verge \Verge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Verged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Verging}.] [L. vergere to bend, turn, incline; cf. Skr. v?j
to turn.]
1. To border upon; to tend; to incline; to come near; to
approach.
2. To tend downward; to bend; to slope; as, a hill verges to
the north.
Our soul, from original instinct, vergeth towards
him as its center. --Barrow.
I find myself verging to that period of life which
is to be labor and sorrow. --Swift.
Vergeboard \Verge"board`\, n. [Verge + board. Cf. {Bargeboard}.]
(Arch.)
The ornament of woodwork upon the gable of a house, used
extensively in the 15th century. It was generally suspended
from the edge of the projecting roof (see {Verge}, n., 4),
and in position parallel to the gable wall. Called also
bargeboard.
Vergency \Ver"gen*cy\, n.
1. The act of verging or approaching; tendency; approach.
[R.]
2. (Opt.) The reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens,
used as measure of the divergence or convergence of a
pencil of rays. [R.] --Humphrey Lloyd.
Verger \Ver"ger\, n. [F. verger, from verge a rod. See 1st
{Verge}.]
One who carries a verge, or emblem of office. Specifically:
(a) An attendant upon a dignitary, as on a bishop, a dean, a
justice, etc. [Eng.] --Strype.
(b) The official who takes care of the interior of a church
building.
Verger \Ver"ger\, n.
A garden or orchard. [Obs.]
Vergett'e \Ver`get`t['e]"\, a. [Cf. F. verget['e].]
Divided by pallets, or pales; paly. --W. Berry.
Vergette \Ver*gette"\, n. (Her.)
A small pale.
Veridical \Ve*rid"ic*al\, a. [L. veridicus; verus true + dicere
to say, tell.]
Truth-telling; truthful; veracious. [R.] --Carlyle.
Verifiable \Ver"i*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being verified; confirmable. --Bp. Hall.
Verfication \Ver`fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. v['e]rification.]
1. The act of verifying, or the state of being verified;
confirmation; authentication.
2. (Law)
(a) Confirmation by evidence.
(b) A formal phrase used in concluding a plea.
{Verification of an equation} (Math.), the operation of
testing the equation of a problem, to see whether it
expresses truly the conditions of the problem. --Davies &
Peck. (Math. Dict.)
Verificative \Ver"i*fi*ca*tive\, a.
Serving to verify; verifying; authenciating; confirming.
Verifier \Ver"i*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, verifies.
Verify \Ver"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Verified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Verifying}.] [F. v['e]rifier, LL. verificare, from L.
verus true + -ficare to make. See {Very}, and -fy.]
1. To prove to be true or correct; to establish the truth of;
to confirm; to substantiate.
This is verified by a number of examples. --Bacon.
So shalt thou best fulfill, best verify. The
prophets old, who sung thy endless reign. --Milton.
2. To confirm or establish the authenticity of by examination
or competent evidence; to authenciate; as, to verify a
written statement; to verify an account, a pleading, or
the like.
To verify our title with their lives. --Shak.
3. To maintain; to affirm; to support. [Obs.] --Shak.
Veriloquent \Ve*ril"o*quent\, a. [L. verus true + ?quens
speaking.]
Speaking truth; truthful. [Obs.]
Verily \Ver"i*ly\, adv. [From {Very}.]
In very truth; beyond doubt or question; in fact; certainly.
--Bacon.
Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in
the ??nd, and verily thou shalt be fed. --Ps. xxxvii.
3.
Verine \Ver"ine\, n. [Contr. from veratrine.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained as a yellow amorphous substance by the
decomposition of veratrine.
Verisimilar \Ver`i*sim"i*lar\, a. [L. verisimilis; verus true +
similis like, similar. See {Very}, and {Similar}.]
Having the appearance of truth; probable; likely. ``How
verisimilar it looks.'' --Carlyle.
Verisimilitude \Ver`i*si*mil"i*tude\, n. [L. verisimilitudo: cf.
OF. verisimilitude. See {Verisimilar}.]
The quality or state of being verisimilar; the appearance of
truth; probability; likelihood.
Verisimilitude and opinion are an easy purchase; but
true knowledge is dear and difficult. --Glanvill.
All that gives verisimilitude to a narrative. --Sir. W.
Scott.
Verisimility \Ver`i*si*mil"i*ty\, n.
Verisimilitude. [Obs.]
The verisimility or probable truth. --Sir T.
Browne.
Versimilous \Ver`*sim"i*lous\, a.
Verisimilar. [Obs.]
Veritable \Ver"i*ta*ble\, a. [F. v['e]ritable. See {Verity}.]
Agreeable to truth or to fact; actual; real; true; genuine.
``The veritable Deity.'' --Sir W. Hamilton. --
{Ver"i*ta*bly}, adv.
Veritas \Ver"i*tas\, n. [Cf. F. v['e]ritas. See {Verity}.]
The Bureau Veritas. See under {Bureau}.
Verity \Ver"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Verities}. [F. v['e]rit['e], L.
veritas, fr. verus true. See {Very}.]
1. The quality or state of being true, or real; consonance of
a statement, proposition, or other thing, with fact;
truth; reality. ``The verity of certain words.'' --Shak.
It is a proposition of eternal verity, that none can
govern while he is despised. --South.
2. That which is true; a true assertion or tenet; a truth; a
reality.
Mark what I say, which you shall find By every
syllable a faithful verity. --Shak.
Verjuice \Ver"juice`\, n. [OE. vergeous, F. verjus, that is, the
juice of green fruits; verd, vert, green + jus juice. See
{Verdant}, and {Juice}.]
1. The sour juice of crab apples, of green or unripe grapes,
apples, etc.; also, an acid liquor made from such juice.
2. Tartness; sourness, as of disposition.
Vermeil \Ver"meil\, n. [F., vermilion, fr. LL. vermiculus, fr.
L. vermiculus a little worm, the coccus Indicus, from vermis
a worm. See {Worm}, and cf. {Vermicule}.]
1. Vermilion; also, the color of vermilion, a bright,
beautiful red. [Poetic & R.]
In her cheeks the vermeil red did show Like roses in
a bed of lilies shed. --Spenser.
2. Silver gilt or gilt bronze.
3. A liquid composition applied to a gilded surface to give
luster to the gold. --Knight.
Vermeologist \Ver`me*ol"o*gist\, n.
One who treats of vermes, or worms; a helminthologist.
Vermeology \Ver`me*ol"o*gy\, n. [L. vermes worms + -logy.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A discourse or treatise on worms; that part of zo["o]logy
which treats of worms; helminthology. [R.]
Vermes \Ver"mes\, n. pl. [L. vermes, pl. of vermis a worm.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) An extensive artificial division of the animal kingdom,
including the parasitic worms, or helminths, together
with the nemerteans, annelids, and allied groups. By some
writers the branchiopods, the bryzoans, and the tunicates
are also included. The name was used in a still wider
sense by Linn[ae]us and his followers.
(b) A more restricted group, comprising only the helminths
and closely allied orders.
Vermetid \Ver"me*tid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of vermetus.
Vermetus \Ver*me"tus\, n. [NL., from L. vermis worm.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of many species of marine gastropods belonging to
{Vermetus} and allied genera, of the family {Vermetid[ae]}.
Their shells are regularly spiral when young, but later in
life the whorls become separate, and the shell is often
irregularly bent and contorted like a worm tube.
Vermicelli \Ver`mi*cel"li\, n. [It., pl. of vermicello,
literally, a little worm, dim. of verme a worm, L. vermis.
See {Worm}, and cf. {Vermicule}, {Vermeil}.]
The flour of a hard and small-grained wheat made into dough,
and forced through small cylinders or pipes till it takes a
slender, wormlike form, whence the Italian name. When the
paste is made in larger tubes, it is called macaroni.
Vermicide \Ver"mi*cide\, n. [L. vermis a worm + caedere to
kill.]
A medicine which destroys intestinal worms; a worm killer.
--Pereira.
Vermicious \Ver*mi"cious\, a. [L. vermis a worm.]
Of or pertaining to worms; wormy.
Vermicular \Ver*mic"u*lar\, a. [L. vermiculus a little worm,
dim. of vermis a worm: cf. F. vermiculaire. See
{Vermicelli}.]
Of or pertaining to a worm or worms; resembling a worm;
shaped like a worm; especially, resembling the motion or
track of a worm; as, the vermicular, or peristaltic, motion
of the intestines. See {Peristaltic}. ``A twisted form
vermicular.'' --Cowper.
Vermiculate \Ver*mic"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Vermiculated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Vermiculating}.] [L.
vermiculatus inlaid so as to resemble the tracks of worms, p.
p. of vermiculari to be full of worms, vermiculus a little
worm. See {Vermicular}.]
To form or work, as by inlaying, with irregular lines or
impressions resembling the tracks of worms, or appearing as
if formed by the motion of worms.
Vermiculate \Ver*mic"u*late\, a.
1. Wormlike in shape; covered with wormlike elevations;
marked with irregular fine lines of color, or with
irregular wavy impressed lines like worm tracks; as, a
vermiculate nut.
2. Crawling or creeping like a worm; hence, insinuating;
sophistical. ``Vermiculate questions.'' --Bacon.
``Vermiculate logic.'' --R. Choate.
Vermiculated \Ver*mic"u*la`ted\, a.
Made or marked with irregular wavy lines or impressions;
vermiculate.
{Vermiculated work}, or {Vermicular work} (Arch.), rustic
work so wrought as to have the appearance of convoluted
worms, or of having been eaten into by, or covered with
tracks of, worms. --Gwilt.
Vermiculation \Ver*mic`u*la"tion\, n. [L. vermiculatio a being
worm-eaten.]
1. The act or operation of moving in the manner of a worm;
continuation of motion from one part to another; as, the
vermiculation, or peristaltic motion, of the intestines.
2. The act of vermiculating, or forming or inlaying so as to
resemble the motion, track, or work of a worm.
3. Penetration by worms; the state of being wormeaten.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A very fine wavy crosswise color marking, or a
patch of such markings, as on the feathers of birds.
Vermicule \Ver"mi*cule\, n. [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis a
worm. See {Vermicular}.]
A small worm or insect larva; also, a wormlike body. [R.]
--Derham.
Vermiculite \Ver*mic"u*lite\, n. [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis
worm.] (Min.)
A group of minerals having, a micaceous structure. They are
hydrous silicates, derived generally from the alteration of
some kind of mica. So called because the scales, when heated,
open out into wormlike forms.
Vermiculose \Ver*mic"u*lose`\, Vermiculous \Ver*mic"u*lous\, a.
[L. vermiculosus. See {Vermicule}.]
Containing, or full of, worms; resembling worms.
Vermiform \Ver"mi*form\, a. [L. vermis a worm + -form.]
Resembling a worm in form or motions; vermicular; as, the
vermiform process of the cerebellum.
{Vermiform appendix} (Anat.), a slender blind process of the
c[ae]cum in man and some other animals; -- called also
{vermiform appendage}, and {vermiform process}. Small
solid bodies, such as grape seeds or cherry stones,
sometimes lodge in it, causing serious, or even fatal,
inflammation. See Illust. under {Digestion}.
Vermiformia \Ver`mi*for"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of worms including Phoronis. See {Phoronis}.
Vermifugal \Ver*mif"u*gal\, a. [L. vermis a worm + fugare to
drive away, fr. fugere to flee. See {Worm}, and {Fugitive}.]
(Med.)
Tending to prevent, destroy, or expel, worms or vermin;
anthelmintic.
Vermifuge \Ver"mi*fuge\, n. [Cf. F. vermifuge. See
{Vermifugal}.] (Med.)
A medicine or substance that expels worms from animal bodies;
an anthelmintic.
Vermil \Ver"mil\, n.
See {Vermeil}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vermilinguia \Ver`mi*lin"gui*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. vermis worm
+ lingua tongue.] [Called also {Vermilingues}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A tribe of edentates comprising the South American
ant-eaters. The tongue is long, slender, exsertile, and
very flexible, whence the name.
(b) A tribe of Old World lizards which comprises the
chameleon. They have long, flexible tongues.
Vermilion \Ver*mil"ion\, n. [F. vermillon. See {Vermeil}.]
1. (Chem.) A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric
sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or
artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in
coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.
Note: The kermes insect has long been used for dyeing red or
scarlet. It was formerly known as the worm dye,
vermiculus, or vermiculum, and the cloth was called
vermiculatia. Hence came the French vermeil for any red
dye, and hence the modern name vermilion, although the
substance it denotes is very different from the kermes,
being a compound of mercury and sulphur. --R. Hunt.
2. Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and
brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.
Vermilion \Ver*mil"ion\, v. t.
To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red;
to cover with a delicate red.
Vermily \Ver"mi*ly\, n.
Vermeil. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vermin \Ver"min\, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. [OE.
vermine, F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf. LL. vermen a
worm, L. verminosus full of worms. See {Vermicular}, {Worm}.]
1. An animal, in general. [Obs.]
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the
earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. --Acts x.
12. (Geneva
Bible).
This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a
dangerous vermin, used to both elements. --Holland.
2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious
little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels,
rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. ``Cruel hounds or some
foul vermin.'' --Chaucer.
Great injuries these vermin, mice and rats, do in
the field. --Mortimer.
They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the
forest . . . is before them. --Burke.
3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings.
You are my prisoners, base vermin. --Hudibras.
Verminate \Ver"mi*nate\, v. i. [L. verminare to have worms, fr.
vermis a worm.]
To breed vermin.
Vermination \Ver`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. verminatio the worms, a
disease of animals, a crawling, itching pain.]
1. The generation or breeding of vermin. --Derham.
2. A griping of the bowels.
Verminly \Ver"min*ly\, a. & adv.
Resembling vermin; in the manner of vermin. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Verminous \Ver"min*ous\, a. [L. verminosus, fr. vermis a worm:
cf. F. vermineux.]
1. Tending to breed vermin; infested by vermin.
Some . . . verminous disposition of the body.
--Harvey.
2. Caused by, or arising from the presence of, vermin; as,
verminous disease.
Verminously \Ver"min*ous*ly\, adv.
In a verminous manner.
Vermiparous \Ver*mip"a*rous\, a. [L. vermis a worm + parere to
bring forth.]
Producing or breeding worms. ``Vermiparous animals.'' --Sir
T. Browne.
Vermivorous \Ver*miv"o*rous\, a. [L. vermis a worm + vorare to
devour: cf. F. vermivore.] (Zo["o]l.)
Devouring worms; feeding on worms; as, vermivorous birds.
Vermuth \Ver"muth\, n. [F. vermout.]
A liqueur made of white wine, absinthe, and various aromatic
drugs, used to excite the appetite. [Written also
{vermouth}.]
Vernacle \Ver"na*cle\, n.
See {Veronica}, 1. [Obs.]
Vernacular \Ver*nac"u*lar\, a. [L. vernaculus born in one's
house, native, fr. verna a slave born in his master's house,
a native, probably akin to Skr. vas to dwell, E. was.]
Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth
or nature; native; indigenous; -- now used chiefly of
language; as, English is our vernacular language. ``A
vernacular disease.'' --Harvey.
His skill the vernacular dialect of the Celtic tongue.
--Fuller.
Which in our vernacular idiom may be thus interpreted.
--Pope.
Vernacular \Ver*nac"u*lar\, n.
The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the
common forms of expression in a particular locality.
Vernacularism \Ver*nac"u*lar*ism\, n.
A vernacular idiom.
Vernacularization \Ver*nac"u*lar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of making vernacular, or the state of
being made vernacular. --Fitzed. Hall.
Vernacularly \Ver*nac"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In a vernacular manner; in the vernacular. --Earle.
Vernaculous \Ver*nac"u*lous\, a. [L. vernaculus. See
{Vernacular}.]
1. Vernacular. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. [L. vernaculi, pl., buffoons, jesters.] Scoffing;
scurrilous. [A Latinism. Obs.] ``Subject to the petulancy
of every vernaculous orator.'' --B. Jonson.
Vernage \Ver"nage\, n. [It. vernaccia.]
A kind of sweet wine from Italy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vernal \Ver"nal\, a. [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver
spring; akin to Gr. ?, Skr. vasanta, Icel. v[=a]r, and E.
Easter, east.]
1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring;
as, vernal bloom.
2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life.
When after the long vernal day of life. --Thomson.
And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys
can show? --Keble.
{Vernal equinox} (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the
equator when proceeding northward.
{Vernal grass} (Bot.), a low, soft grass ({Anthoxanthum
odoratum}), producing in the spring narrow spikelike
panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it
gives to new-mown hay; -- also called {sweet vernal
grass}. See Illust. in Appendix.
{Vernal signs} (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and
Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal
equinox and summer solstice.
Vernant \Ver"nant\, a. [L. vernans, p. pr. vernare to flourish,
from ver spring.]
Flourishing, as in spring; vernal. [Obs.] ``Vernant
flowers.'' --Milton.
Vernate \Ver"nate\, v. i. [See {Vernant}.]
To become young again. [Obs.]
Vernation \Ver*na"tion\, n. [F. vernation: cf. L. vernatio the
sloughing of the skin of snakes.] (Bot.)
The arrangement of the leaves within the leaf bud, as regards
their folding, coiling, rolling, etc.; prefoliation.
Vernicle \Ver"ni*cle\, n.
A Veronica. See {Veronica}, 1. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
A vernicle had he sowed upon his cap. --Chaucer.
Vernicose \Ver"ni*cose`\, a. [See {Varnish}.] (Bot.)
Having a brilliantly polished surface, as some leaves.
Vernier \Ver"ni*er\, n. [So named after the inventor, Pierre
Vernier.]
A short scale made to slide along the divisions of a
graduated instrument, as the limb of a sextant, or the scale
of a barometer, for indicating parts of divisions. It is so
graduated that a certain convenient number of its divisions
are just equal to a certain number, either one less or one
more, of the divisions of the instrument, so that parts of a
division are determined by observing what line on the vernier
coincides with a line on the instrument.
{Vernier calipers}, {Vernier gauge}, a gauge with a graduated
bar and a sliding jaw bearing a vernier, used for accurate
measurements.
{Vernier compass}, a surveyor's compass with a vernier for
the accurate adjustment of the zero point in accordance
with magnetic variation.
{Vernier transit}, a surveyor's transit instrument with a
vernier compass.
Vernile \Ver"nile\, a. [L. vernilis servile. See {Vernacular}.]
Suiting a salve; servile; obsequious. [R.]
The example . . . of vernile scurrility. --De Quincey.
Vernility \Ver*nil"i*ty\, n. [L. vernilitas.]
Fawning or obsequious behavior; servility. [R.] --Bailey.
Vernine \Ver"nine\, n. [Vernal + -ine.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from the shoots of the vetch, red
clover, etc., as a white crystalline substance.
Vernish \Ver"nish\, n. & v.
Varnish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vernonin \Ver"no*nin\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from the root of a South African plant
of the genus {Vernonia}, as a deliquescent powder, and used
as a mild heart tonic.
Veronese \Ver`o*nese"\, a. [It. Veronese.]
Of or pertaining to Verona, in Italy. -- n. sing. & pl. A
native of Verona; collectively, the people of Verona.
Veronica \Ve*ron"i*ca\, n. [LL.; -- so called from Veronica, a
woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying
the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an
impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr. ?, fr.
Macedonian ?, for Gr. ?, literally, carrying off victory,
victorious.]
1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on
the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at
Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any
similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly
called also {Vernacle}, and {Vernicle}.
2. (Bot.) A genus scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell.
See {Speedwell}.
Note: Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe
and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A
few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes
found in cultivation.
Verray \Ver"ray\, a.
Very; true. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Verrayment \Ver"ray*ment\, adv. [OF. veraiement. See {Very}.]
Verily; truly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Verrel \Ver"rel\, n.
See {Ferrule}. [Obs.]
Verriculate \Ver*ric"u*late\, a. [L. verriculum a net, seine.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having thickset tufts of parallel hairs, bristles, or
branches.
Verruciform \Ver*ru"ci*form\, a. [L. verruca wart + -form.]
Shaped like a wart or warts.
Verrucose \Ver"ru*cose`\, a. [L. verrucosus, fr. verruca a
wart.]
Covered with wartlike elevations; tuberculate; warty;
verrucous; as, a verrucose capsule.
Verrucous \Ver"ru*cous\, a.
Verrucose.
Verruculose \Ver*ru"cu*lose`\, a. [L. verrucula, dim. of verruca
a wart.]
Minutely verrucose; as, a verruculose leaf or stalk.
Vers \Vers\, n. sing. & pl.
A verse or verses. See {Verse}. [Obs.] ``Ten vers or
twelve.'' --Chaucer.
Versability \Ver`sa*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being versable. [R.] --Sterne
Versable \Ver"sa*ble\, a. [L. versabilis: cf. F. versable. See
{Versatile}.]
Capable of being turned. [R.]
Versableness \Ver"sa*ble*ness\, n.
Versability. [R.]
Versal \Ver"sal\, a.
Universal. [Obs. or Colloq.] --Shak.
Versant \Ver"sant\, a. [L. versans, p. pr. versare to turn
abound frequently, to turn over in the mind, to meditate. See
{Versatile}.]
Familiar; conversant. [R.]
Men not versant with courts of justice. --Sydney
Smith.
Versant \Ver"sant\, n. [F.]
The slope of a side of a mountain chain; hence, the general
slope of a country; aspect.
Versatile \Ver"sa*tile\, a. [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn
around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See {Verse}.]
1. Capable of being turned round. --Harte.
2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable;
unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition.
3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily
applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided;
as, versatile genius; a versatile politician.
Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . .
was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu.
--Macaulay.
4. (Nat. Hist.) Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a
versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the
filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a
versatile toe of a bird. -- {Ver"sa*tile*ly}, adv. -- --
{Ver"sa*tile*ness}, n.
Versatility \Ver`sa*til"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. versatilit['e].]
The quality or state of being versatile; versatileness.
Vers de soci'et'e \Vers` de so`ci['e]`t['e]"\ [F.]
See {Society verses}, under {Society}.
Verse \Verse\, n. [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in
writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to
turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers.
See {Worth} to become, and cf. {Advertise}, {Averse},
{Controversy}, {Convert}, {Divers}, {Invert}, {Obverse},
{Prose}, {Suzerain}, {Vortex}.]
1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet
(see {Foot}, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter,
tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in
each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an
Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or
strophe.
2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed
in metrical form; versification; poetry.
Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in
prose or numerous verse. --Milton.
Virtue was taught in verse. --Prior.
Verse embalms virtue. --Donne.
3. A short division of any composition. Specifically:
(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.
Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is
objectionable, because not always distinguishable from
the stricter use in the sense of a line.
(b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters
in the Old and New Testaments.
Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into
verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was
divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a
French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first
time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551.
(c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a
single voice to each part.
4. A piece of poetry. ``This verse be thine.'' --Pope.
{Blank verse}, poetry in which the lines do not end in
rhymes.
{Heroic verse}. See under {Heroic}.
Verse \Verse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Versed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Versing}.]
To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.]
Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. --Shak.
Verse \Verse\, v. i.
To make verses; to versify. [Obs.]
It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. --Sir
P. Sidney.
Versed \Versed\, a. [Cf. F. vers['e], L. versatus, p. p. of
versari to turn about frequently, to turn over, to be engaged
in a thing, passive of versare. See {Versant}, a.]
Acquainted or familiar, as the result of experience, study,
practice, etc.; skilled; practiced.
Deep versed in books and shallow in himself. --Milton.
Opinions . . . derived from studying the Scriptures,
wherein he was versed beyond any person of his age.
--Southey.
These men were versed in the details of business.
--Macaulay.
Versed \Versed\, a. [L. versus turned, p. p. vertere. See 1st
{Versed}.] (Math.)
Turned.
{Versed sine}. See under {Sine}, and Illust. of {Functions}.
Verseman \Verse"man\, n.
Same as {Versemonger}. --Prior.
Versemonger \Verse"mon`ger\, n.
A writer of verses; especially, a writer of commonplace
poetry; a poetaster; a rhymer; -- used humorously or in
contempt.
Verser \Vers"er\, n.
A versifier. --B. Jonson.
Verset \Vers"et\, n. [F.]
A verse. [Obs.] --Milton.
Versicle \Ver"si*cle\, n. [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See
{Verse}.]
A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or
sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and
followed by a response from the people.
The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested
into versicles. --Strype.
Versicolor \Ver"si*col`or\, Versicolored \Ver"si*col`ored\, a.
[L. versicolor; versare to change + color color.]
Having various colors; changeable in color. ``Versicolor,
sweet-smelling flowers.'' --Burton.
Versicular \Ver*sic"u*lar\, a. [See {Versicle}.]
Of or pertaining to verses; designating distinct divisions of
a writing.
Versification \Ver`si*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. versificatio: cf. F.
versification.]
The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses;
the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
Versificator \Ver"si*fi*ca`tor\, n. [L.]
A versifier. [R.] ``The best versificator next Virgil.''
--Dryden.
Versifier \Ver"si*fi`er\, n.
1. One who versifies, or makes verses; as, not every
versifier is a poet. --Dryden.
2. One who converts into verse; one who expresses in verse
the ideas of another written in prose; as, Dr. Watts was a
versifier of the Psalms.
Versify \Ver"si*fy\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Versified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Versifying}.] [OE. versifien, F. versifier, L.
versificare; versus a verse + -ficare to make. See {Verse},
and {-fy}.]
To make verses.
I'll versify in spite, and do my best. --Dryden.
Versify \Ver"si*fy\, v. t.
1. To relate or describe in verse; to compose in verse.
I'll versify the truth, not poetize. --Daniel.
2. To turn into verse; to render into metrical form; as, to
versify the Psalms. --Chaucer.
Version \Ver"sion\, n. [F., from L. vertere, versum, to turn, to
change, to translate. See {Verse}.]
1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation;
conversion; turning.
The version of air into water. --Bacon.
2. (Med.) A condition of the uterus in which its axis is
deflected from its normal position without being bent upon
itself. See {Anteversion}, and {Retroversion}.
3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language
into another language.
4. A translation; that which is rendered from another
language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the
Scriptures (see under {Authorized}); the Septuagint
Version of the Old Testament.
5. An account or description from a particular point of view,
especially as contrasted with another account; as, he gave
another version of the affair.
Versionist \Ver"sion*ist\, n.
One who makes or favors a version; a translator. [R.]
Verso \Ver"so\, n. [L. versus, p. p. of vertere to turn: cf. F.
verso.] (Print.)
The reverse, or left-hand, page of a book or a folded sheet
of paper; -- opposed to {recto}.
Versor \Ver"sor\, n. [NL., fr. L. vertere, versus, to turn. See
{Version}.] (Geom.)
The turning factor of a quaternion.
Note: The change of one vector into another is considered in
quaternions as made up of two operations; 1st, the
rotation of the first vector so that it shall be
parallel to the second; 2d, the change of length so
that the first vector shall be equal to the second.
That which expresses in amount and kind the first
operation is a versor, and is denoted geometrically by
a line at right angles to the plane in which the
rotation takes place, the length of this line being
proportioned to the amount of rotation. That which
expresses the second operation is a tensor. The product
of the versor and tensor expresses the total operation,
and is called a quaternion. See {Quaternion}.
{Quadrantal versor}. See under {Quadrantal}.
Verst \Verst\, n. [Russ. versta: cf. F. verste.]
A Russian measure of length containing 3,500 English feet.
[Written also {werst}.]
Versual \Ver"su*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a verse.
Versus \Ver"sus\, prep. [L., toward, turned in the direction of,
from vertere, versum, to turn. See {Verse}.]
Against; as, John Doe versus Richard Roe; -- chiefly used in
legal language, and abbreviated to v. or vs.
Versute \Ver*sute"\, a. [L. versutus, fr. vertere, versum, to
turn.]
Crafty; wily; cunning; artful. [R.]
Vert \Vert\, n. [F., green, from L. viridis. See {Verdant}, and
cf. {Verd}.]
1. (Eng. Forest Law)
(a) Everything that grows, and bears a green leaf, within
the forest; as, to preserve vert and venison is the
duty of the verderer.
(b) The right or privilege of cutting growing wood.
2. (Her.) The color green, represented in a drawing or
engraving by parallel lines sloping downward toward the
right.
Verteber \Ver"te*ber\, n.
A vertebra. [Obs.]
Vertebra \Ver"te*bra\, n.; pl. {Vertebr[ae]}. [L. vertebra, fr.
vertere to turn, change. See {Verse}.]
1. (Anat.) One of the serial segments of the spinal column.
Note: In many fishes the vertebr[ae] are simple cartilaginous
disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates
they are composed of many parts, and the vertebr[ae] in
different portions of the same column vary very
greatly. A well-developed vertebra usually consists of
a more or less cylindrical and solid body, or centrum,
which is surmounted dorsally by an arch, leaving an
opening which forms a part of the canal containing the
spinal cord. From this dorsal, or neural, arch spring
various processes, or apophyses, which have received
special names: a dorsal, or neural, spine, spinous
process, or neurapophysis, on the middle of the arch;
two anterior and two posterior articular processes, or
zygapophyses; and one or two transverse processes on
each side. In those vertebr[ae] which bear
well-developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib
articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse
process (diapophysis), while the end, or head, of the
rib articulates at a more ventral capitular facet which
is sometimes developed into a second, or ventral,
transverse process (parapophysis). In vertebrates with
well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided
into five regions in each of which the vertebr[ae] are
specially designated: those vertebr[ae] in front of, or
anterior to, the first vertebra which bears ribs
connected with the sternum are cervical; all those
which bear ribs and are back of the cervicals are
dorsal; the one or more directly supporting the pelvis
are sacral and form the sacrum; those between the
sacral and dorsal are lumbar; and all those back of the
sacral are caudal, or coccygeal. In man there are seven
cervical vertebr[ae], twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five
sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely
three, coccygeal.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the central ossicles in each joint of
the arms of an ophiuran.
Vertebral \Ver"te*bral\, a. [Cf. F. vert['e]bral.]
1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a vertebr[ae], or the
vertebral column; spinal; rachidian.
2. Vertebrate.
Vertebral \Ver"te*bral\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A vertebrate. [R.]
Vertebrally \Ver"te*bral*ly\, adv. (Anat.)
At or within a vertebra or vertebr[ae]; -- distinguished from
interverterbrally.
Vertebrarterial \Ver`te*brar*te"ri*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a vertebr[ae] and an artery; -- said of
the foramina in the transverse processes of cervical
vertebr[ae] and of the canal which they form for the
vertebral artery and vein.
Vertebrata \Ver`te*bra"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising
all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or
cartilaginous vertebr[ae], together with Amphioxus in which
the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord.
The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above
the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity
below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are
Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia,
and Leptocardia.
Vertebrate \Ver"te*brate\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Vertebrata.
Vertebrate \Ver"te*brate\, Vertebrated \Ver"te*bra`ted\, a. [L.
vertebratus.]
1. (Anat.) Having a backbone, or vertebral column, containing
the spinal marrow, as man, quadrupeds, birds, amphibia,
and fishes.
2. (Bot.) Contracted at intervals, so as to resemble the
spine in animals. --Henslow.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having movable joints resembling vertebr[ae];
-- said of the arms ophiurans.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Vertebrata; -- used
only in the form vertebrate.
Vertebre \Ver"te*bre\, n. (Anat.)
A vertebra. [Obs.]
Vertebro- \Ver"te*bro-\
A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with,
or relation to, a vertebra, vertebr[ae], or vertebral column;
as in vertebrocostal.
Vertebro-iliac \Ver"te*bro-il"i*ac\, a. (Anat.)
Iliolumbar.
Vertex \Ver"tex\, n.; pl. {Vertexes}, L. {Vertices}. [L. vertex,
-icis, a whirl, top of the head, top, summit, from vertere to
turn. See {Verse}, and cf. {Vortex}.]
A turning point; the principal or highest point; top; summit;
crown; apex. Specifically:
(a) (Anat.) The top, or crown, of the head.
(b) (Anat.) The zenith, or the point of the heavens directly
overhead.
(c) (Math.) The point in any figure opposite to, and farthest
from, the base; the terminating point of some particular
line or lines in a figure or a curve; the top, or the
point opposite the base.
Note: The principal vertex of a conic section is, in the
parabola, the vertex of the axis of the curve: in the
ellipse, either extremity of either axis, but usually
the left-hand vertex of the transverse axis; in the
hyperbola, either vertex, but usually the right-hand
vertex of the transverse axis.
{Vertex of a curve} (Math.), the point in which the axis of
the curve intersects it.
{Vertex of an angle} (Math.), the point in which the sides of
the angle meet.
{Vertex of a solid}, or {of a surface of revolution} (Math.),
the point in which the axis pierces the surface.
Vertical \Ver"ti*cal\, a. [Cf. F. vertical. See {Vertex}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the vertex; situated at the vertex, or
highest point; directly overhead, or in the zenith;
perpendicularly above one.
Charity . . . is the vertical top of all religion.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb;
as, a vertical line.
{Vertical angle} (Astron. & Geod.), an angle measured on a
vertical circle, called an angle of elevation, or
altitude, when reckoned from the horizon upward, and of
depression when downward below the horizon.
{Vertical anthers} (Bot.), such anthers as stand erect at the
top of the filaments.
{Vertical circle} (Astron.), an azimuth circle. See under
{Azimuth}.
{Vertical drill}, an drill. See under {Upright}.
{Vertical fire} (Mil.), the fire, as of mortars, at high
angles of elevation.
{Vertical leaves} (Bot.), leaves which present their edges to
the earth and the sky, and their faces to the horizon, as
in the Australian species of Eucalyptus.
{Vertical limb}, a graduated arc attached to an instrument,
as a theodolite, for measuring vertical angles.
{Vertical line}.
(a) (Dialing) A line perpendicular to the horizon.
(b) (Conic Sections) A right line drawn on the vertical
plane, and passing through the vertex of the cone.
(c) (Surv.) The direction of a plumb line; a line normal
to the surface of still water.
(d) (Geom., Drawing, etc.) A line parallel to the sides of
a page or sheet, in distinction from a horizontal line
parallel to the top or bottom.
{Vertical plane}.
(a) (Conic Sections) A plane passing through the vertex of
a cone, and through its axis.
(b) (Projections) Any plane which passes through a
vertical line.
(c) (Persp.) The plane passing through the point of sight,
and perpendicular to the ground plane, and also to the
picture.
{Vertical sash}, a sash sliding up and down. Cf. {French
sash}, under 3d {Sash}.
{Vertical steam engine}, a steam engine having the crank
shaft vertically above or below a vertical cylinder.
Vertical \Ver"ti*cal\, n.
1. Vertical position; zenith. [R.]
2. (Math.) A vertical line, plane, or circle.
{Prime vertical}, {Prime vertical dial}. See under {Prime},
a.
Verticality \Ver`ti*cal"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vertical; verticalness. [R.]
The different points of the verticality. --Sir T.
Browne.
Vertically \Ver"ti*cal*ly\, adv.
In a vertical manner, position, or direction;
perpendicularly; as, to look down vertically; to raise a
thing vertically.
Verticalness \Ver"ti*cal*ness\, n.
Quality or state of being vertical.
Verticil \Ver"ti*cil\, n. [L. verticillus, dim. of vertex a
whirl: cf. F. verticille. See {Vertex}.] (Bot.)
A circle either of leaves or flowers about a stem at the same
node; a whorl. [Written also {verticel}.]
Verticillaster \Ver`ti*cil*las"ter\, a. [NL., fr. L. verticillus
a whirl + aster a star.] (Bot.)
A whorl of flowers apparently of one cluster, but composed of
two opposite axillary cymes, as in mint. See Illust. of
{Whorl}.
Verticillate \Ver*tic"il*late\ (?; 277), Verticillated
\Ver*tic"il*la`ted\, a. [See {Verticil}.] (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Arranged in a transverse whorl or whorls like the rays of a
wheel; as, verticillate leaves of a plant; a verticillate
shell.
Verticillus \Ver`ti*cil"lus\, n. [L., a whirl.] (Bot.)
A whorl; a verticil.
Verticity \Ver*tic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. verticit['e]. See
{Vertex}.]
The quality or power of turning; revolution; rotation. [R.]
--Locke.
I hardly believe he hath from elder times unknown the
verticity of the loadstone. --Sir T.
Browne.
Verticle \Ver"ti*cle\, n. [L. verticula a joint.]
An axis; hinge; a turning point. --E. Waterhouse.
Vertiginate \Ver*tig"i*nate\, a.
Turned round; giddy. [R.] --Coleridge.
Vertiginous \Ver*tig"i*nous\, a. [L. vertiginosus, fr. vertigo a
whirling around, giddiness: cf. F. vertigineux. See
{Vertig??}.]
1. Turning round; whirling; rotary; revolving; as,
vertiginous motion.
Some vertiginous whirl of fortune. --De Quincey.
2. Affected with vertigo; giddy; dizzy.
They [the angels] grew vertiginous, and fell from
the battlements of heaven. --Jer. Taylor.
-- {Ver*tig"i*nous*ly}, adv. -- {Ver*tig"i*nous*ness}, n.
Vertigo \Ver"ti*go\ (?; 277), n.; pl. E. {Vertigoes}, L.
{Vertigines}. [L., fr. vertere to turn. See {Verse}.]
1. (Med.) Dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of
the head in which objects, though stationary, appear to
move in various directions, and the person affected finds
it difficult to maintain an erect posture; giddiness.
--Quian.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small land
snails belonging to the genus {Vertigo}, having an
elongated or conical spiral shell and usually teeth in the
aperture.
Vertilinear \Ver`ti*lin"e*ar\, a. [Vertical + linear.]
Straight; rectilinear. [R.]
Vertu \Ver"tu\, n.
1. Virtue; power. See {Virtue}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. See {Virtu}.
Vertuous \Ver"tu*ous\, a.
Virtuous; powerful. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Verumontanum \Ver`u*mon*ta"num\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
An elevation, or crest, in the wall of the urethra where the
seminal ducts enter it.
Note: This is sometimes written veru montanum.
Vervain \Ver"vain\, n. [OE. verveine, F. verveine, fr. L.
verbena, pl. verbenae sacred boughs of laurel, olive, or
myrtle, a class of plants; cf. verbenaca vervain. Cf.
{Verbena}.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Verbena.
{Vervain mallow} (Bot.), a species of mallow ({Malva Alcea})
with rose-colored flowers.
Verve \Verve\, n. [F.]
Excitement of imagination such as animates a poet, artist, or
musician, in composing or performing; rapture; enthusiasm;
spirit; energy.
Vervel \Ver"vel\, n.
See {Varvel}.
Vervet \Ver"vet\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South African monkey ({Cercopithecus pygerythrus, or
Lelandii}). The upper parts are grayish green, finely specked
with black. The cheeks and belly are reddish white.
Very \Ver"y\, a. [Compar. {Verier}; superl. {Veriest}.] [OE.
verai, verray, OF. verai, vrai, F. vrai, (assumed) LL.
veracus, for L. verax true, veracious, fr. verus true; akin
to OHG. & OS. w[=a]r, G. wahr, D. waar; perhaps originally,
that is or exists, and akin to E. was. Cf. {Aver}, v. t.,
{Veracious}, {Verdict}, {Verity}.]
True; real; actual; veritable.
Whether thou be my very son Esau or not. --Gen. xxvii.
21.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he
that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
--Prov. xvii.
9.
The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness.
--Milton.
I looked on the consideration of public service or
public ornament to be real and very justice. --Burke.
Note: Very is sometimes used to make the word with which it
is connected emphatic, and may then be paraphrased by
same, self-same, itself, and the like. ``The very hand,
the very words.'' --Shak. ``The very rats instinctively
have quit it.'' --Shak. ``Yea, there where very
desolation dwells.'' --Milton. Very is used
occasionally in the comparative degree, and more
frequently in the superlative. ``Was not my lord the
verier wag of the two?'' --Shak. ``The veriest hermit
in the nation.'' --Pope. ``He had spoken the very
truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood.''
--Hawthorne.
{Very Reverend}. See the Note under {Reverend}.
Very \Ver"y\, adv.
In a high degree; to no small extent; exceedingly;
excessively; extremely; as, a very great mountain; a very
bright sum; a very cold day; the river flows very rapidly; he
was very much hurt.
Vesbium \Ves"bi*um\, n. [NL., from L. Vesuvius, contr. Vesbius,
Vesuvius.] (Chem.)
A rare metallic element of which little is known. It is said
by Scacchi to have been extracted from a yellowish
incrustation from the cracks of a Vesuvian lava erupted in
1631.
Vese \Vese\, n. [Cf. {Frese}, n.]
Onset; rush; violent draught or wind. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vesica \Ve*si"ca\, n. [L.]
A bladder.
{Vesica piscis}. [L., dish bladder.] (Eccl. Art) A glory, or
aureole, of oval shape, or composed of two arcs of circles
usually represented as surrounding a divine personage.
More rarely, an oval composed of two arcs not representing
a glory; a solid oval, etc.
Vesical \Ves"i*cal\, a. [L. vesica bladder.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the bladder. --Dunglison.
Vesicant \Ves"i*cant\, n. [L. vesica blister: cf. F.
v['e]sicant.] (Med.)
A vesicatory.
Vesicate \Ves"i*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vesicated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vesicating}.] [See {Vesicant}.] (Med.)
To raise little bladders or blisters upon; to inflame and
separate the cuticle of; to blister. --Wiseman.
Vesication \Ves`i*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. v['e]sication.] (Med.)
The process of vesicating, or of raising blisters.
Vesicatory \Ves"i*ca*to*ry\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F.
v['e]sicatoire.] (Med.)
Tending, or having power, to raise a blister. -- n. A
blistering application or plaster; a vesicant; an epispastic.
Vesicle \Ves"i*cle\, n. [L. vesicula, dim. of vesica a bladder,
blister; akin to Skr. vasti bladder: cf. F. v['e]sicule.]
A bladderlike vessel; a membranous cavity; a cyst; a cell.
Specifically:
(a) (Bot.) A small bladderlike body in the substance of
vegetable, or upon the surface of a leaf.
(b) (Med.) A small, and more or less circular, elevation of
the cuticle, containing a clear watery fluid.
(c) (Anat.) A cavity or sac, especially one filled with
fluid; as, the umbilical vesicle.
(d) (Zo["o]l.) A small convex hollow prominence on the
surface of a shell or a coral.
(e) (Geol.) A small cavity, nearly spherical in form, and
usually of the size of a pea or smaller, such as are
common in some volcanic rocks. They are produced by the
liberation of watery vapor in the molten mass.
Vesico- \Ves"i*co-\
A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with,
or relation to, the bladder; as in vesicoprostatic,
vesicovaginal.
Vesicoprostatic \Ves`i*co*pro*stat"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of a pertaining to the bladder and the prostrate gland.
Vesicouterine \Ves`i*co*u"ter*ine\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the bladder and the uterus.
Vesicovaginal \Ves`i*co*vag"i*nal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the bladder and the vagina.
Vesicula \Ve*sic"u*la\, n.; pl. {Vesicul[ae]} . [L., dim. of
vesica.] (Anat. & Med.)
A vesicle.
Vesicular \Ve*sic"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. v['e]siculaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to vesicles; esp., of or pertaining to
the air vesicles, or air cells, of the lungs; as,
vesicular breathing, or normal breathing, in which the air
enters freely the air vesicles of the lungs.
2. Containing, or composed of, vesicles or vesiclelike
structures; covered with vesicles or bladders; vesiculate;
as, vesicular coral; vesicular lava; a vesicular leaf.
3. Having the form or structure of a vesicle; as, a vesicular
body.
{Vesicular column} (Anat.), a series of nerve cells forming
one of the tracts distinguished in the spinal; -- also
called the {ganglionic column}.
{Vesicular emphysema} (Med.), emphysema of the lungs, in
which the air vesicles are distended and their walls
ruptured.
{Vesicular murmur} (Med.), the sound, audible on auscultation
of the chest, made by the air entering and leaving the air
vesicles of the lungs in respiration.
Vesicularia \Ve*sic`u*la"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Vesicle}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of marine Bryozoa belonging to
{Vesicularia} and allied genera. They have delicate tubular
cells attached in clusters to slender flexible stems.
Vesiculata \Ve*sic`u*la"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Vesicle}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The campanularian medus[ae].
Vesiculate \Ve*sic"u*late\, a.
Bladdery; full of, or covered with, bladders; vesicular.
Vesiculate \Ve*sic"u*late\, v. t.
To form vesicles in, as lava.
Vesiculation \Ve*sic`u*la"tion\, n. (Geol.)
The state of containing vesicles, or the process by which
vesicles are formed.
Vesiculose \Ve*sic"u*lose`\, Vesiculous \Ve*sic"u*lous\, a. [L.
vesiculosus: cf. F. v['e]siculeux.]
Bladdery; vesicular; vesiculate; composed of vesicles;
covered with vesicles; as, a vesiculose shell.
Vespa \Ves"pa\, n. [L., wasp.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Hymenoptera including the common wasps and
hornets.
Vesper \Ves"per\, n. [L., the evening, the evening star, the
west; akin to Gr. ?, ?, and perhaps to E. west. Cf.
{Hesperian}, {Vespers}.]
The evening star; Hesper; Venus, when seen after sunset;
hence, the evening. --Shak.
Vesper \Ves"per\, a.
Of or pertaining to the evening, or to the service of
vespers; as, a vesper hymn; vesper bells.
{Vesper sparrow}, the grass finch. See under {Grass}.
Vesperal \Ves"per*al\, a.
Vesper; evening. [R.]
Vespers \Ves"pers\, n. pl. [OF. vespres, F. v[^e]pres, LL.
vesperae, fr. L. vespera evening. See {Vesper}, n.] (R. C.
Ch.)
(a) One of the little hours of the Breviary.
(b) The evening song or service.
{Sicilian vespers}. See under {Sicilian}, a.
Vespertilio \Ves`per*til"i*o\, n. [L., a bat.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bats including some of the common small
insectivorous species of North America and Europe.
Vespertiliones \Ves`per*til`i*o"nes\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of bats including the common insectivorous bats of
America and Europe, belonging to Vespertilio and allied
genera. They lack a nose membrane.
Vespertilionine \Ves`per*til`i*o"nine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Vespertiliones.
Vespertinal \Ves"per*ti`nal\, a.
Vespertine. --Lowell.
Vespertine \Ves"per*tine\, a. [L. vespertinus. See {Vesper}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the evening; happening or being in the
evening. --Gray.
2. (Bot.) Blossoming in the evening.
Vespiary \Ves"pi*a*ry\, n. [L. vespa a wasp.]
A nest, or habitation, of insects of the wasp kind.
Vespillo \Ves*pil"lo\, n.; pl. {Vespilloes}. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
One who carried out the dead bodies of the poor at night for
burial.
Like vespilloes or grave makers. --Sir T.
Browne.
Vessel \Ves"sel\, n. [OF. vessel, veissel, vaissel, vaissiel, F.
vascellum, dim. of vasculum, dim. of vas a vessel. Cf.
{Vascular}, {Vase}.]
1. A hollow or concave utensil for holding anything; a hollow
receptacle of any kind, as a hogshead, a barrel, a firkin,
a bottle, a kettle, a cup, a bowl, etc.
[They drank] out of these noble vessels. --Chaucer.
2. A general name for any hollow structure made to float upon
the water for purposes of navigation; especially, one that
is larger than a common rowboat; as, a war vessel; a
passenger vessel.
[He] began to build a vessel of huge bulk. --Milton.
3. Fig.: A person regarded as receiving or containing
something; esp. (Script.), one into whom something is
conceived as poured, or in whom something is stored for
use; as, vessels of wrath or mercy.
He is a chosen vessel unto me. --Acts ix. 15.
[The serpent] fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in
whom To enter. --Milton.
4. (Anat.) Any tube or canal in which the blood or other
fluids are contained, secreted, or circulated, as the
arteries, veins, lymphatics, etc.
5. (Bot.) A continuous tube formed from superposed large
cylindrical or prismatic cells (trache[ae]), which have
lost their intervening partitions, and are usually marked
with dots, pits, rings, or spirals by internal deposition
of secondary membranes; a duct.
{Acoustic vessels}. See under {Acoustic}.
{Weaker vessel}, a woman; -- now applied humorously. ``Giving
honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel.'' --1
Peter iii. 7. ``You are the weaker vessel.'' --Shak.
Vessel \Ves"sel\, v. t.
To put into a vessel. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Vesselful \Ves"sel*ful\, n.; pl. {Vesselfuls}.
As much as a vessel will hold; enough to fill a vessel.
Vesses \Ves"ses\, Vessets \Ves"sets\, n.
A kind of worsted; also, a worsted cloth. [Prov. Eng.]
Vessicnon \Ves"sic*non\, Vessignon \Ves"sig*non\, n. [F.
vessigon, fr. L. vesica a bladder, blister.] (Far.)
A soft swelling on a horse's leg; a windgall.
Vest \Vest\, n. [L. vestis a garment, vesture; akin to Goth.
wasti, and E. wear: cf. F. veste. See {Wear} to carry on the
person, and cf. {Divest}, {Invest}, {Travesty}.]
1. An article of clothing covering the person; an outer
garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe.
In state attended by her maiden train, Who bore the
vests that holy rites require. --Dryden.
2. Any outer covering; array; garb.
Not seldom clothed in radiant vest Deceitfully goes
forth the morn. --Wordsworth.
3. Specifically, a waistcoat, or sleeveless body garment, for
men, worn under the coat.
Syn: Garment; vesture; dress; robe; vestment; waistcoat.
Usage: {Vest}, {Waistcoat}. In England, the original word
waistcoat is generally used for the body garment worn
over the shirt and immediately under the coat. In the
United States this garment is commonly called a vest,
and the waistcoat is often improperly given to an
under-garment.
Vest \Vest\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vested}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vesting}.] [Cf. L. vestire, vestitum, OF. vestir, F.
v[^e]tir. See {Vest}, n.]
1. To clothe with, or as with, a vestment, or garment; to
dress; to robe; to cover, surround, or encompass closely.
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind.
--Milton.
With ether vested, and a purple sky. --Dryden.
2. To clothe with authority, power, or the like; to put in
possession; to invest; to furnish; to endow; -- followed
by with before the thing conferred; as, to vest a court
with power to try cases of life and death.
Had I been vested with the monarch's power. --Prior.
3. To place or give into the possession or discretion of some
person or authority; to commit to another; -- with in
before the possessor; as, the power of life and death is
vested in the king, or in the courts.
Empire and dominion was [were] vested in him.
--Locke.
4. To invest; to put; as, to vest money in goods, land, or
houses. [R.]
5. (Law) To clothe with possession; as, to vest a person with
an estate; also, to give a person an immediate fixed right
of present or future enjoyment of; as, an estate is vested
in possession. --Bouvier.
Vest \Vest\, v. i.
To come or descend; to be fixed; to take effect, as a title
or right; -- followed by in; as, upon the death of the
ancestor, the estate, or the right to the estate, vests in
the heir at law.
Vesta \Ves"ta\, n. [L. Vesta, akin to Gr. ? Vesta, ? the hearth
of the house, and perhaps to Skr. ush to burn (see East), or
perhaps to Skr. vas to dwell, and E. was.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) One of the great divinities of the ancient
Romans, identical with the Greek Hestia. She was a virgin,
and the goddess of the hearth; hence, also, of the fire on
it, and the family round it.
2. (Astron.) An asteroid, or minor planet, discovered by
Olbers in 1807.
3. A wax friction match. --Simmonds.
Vestal \Ves"tal\, a. [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal.
See {Vesta}.]
Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth;
hence, pure; chaste.
Vestal \Ves"tal\, n. [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale.
See {Vestal}, a.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the
service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be
perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
Note: The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in
number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the
period of admission being from the sixth to the tenth
year of the candidate's age.
2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! --Pope.
Vestales \Ves*ta"les\, n. pl. [NL. See {Vestal}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of butterflies including those known as virgins, or
gossamer-winged butterflies.
Vested \Vest"ed\, a.
1. Clothed; robed; wearing vestments. ``The vested priest.''
--Milton.
2. (Law) Not in a state of contingency or suspension; fixed;
as, vested rights; vested interests.
{Vested legacy} (Law), a legacy the right to which commences
in pr[ae]senti, and does not depend on a contingency; as,
a legacy to one to be paid when he attains to twenty-one
years of age is a vested legacy, and if the legatee dies
before the testator, his representative shall receive it.
--Blackstone.
{Vested remainder} (Law), an estate settled, to remain to a
determined person, after the particular estate is spent.
--Blackstone. --Kent.
Vestiarian \Ves`ti*a"ri*an\, a. [See {Vestiary}.]
Of or pertaining to a vestiary or vestments.
Vestiary \Ves"ti*a*ry\, n. [L. vestiarium. See {Vestry}.]
A wardrobe; a robing room; a vestry. --Fuller.
Vestiary \Ves"ti*a*ry\, a.
Pertaining to clothes, or vestments.
Vestibular \Ves*tib"u*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vestibule; like a vestibule.
Vestibule \Ves"ti*bule\, n. [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin:
cf. F. vestibule.]
The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber
next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall.
{Vestibule of the ear}. (Anat.) See under {Ear}.
{Vestibule of the vulva} (Anat.), a triangular space between
the nymph[ae], in which the orifice of the urethra is
situated.
{Vestibule train} (Railroads), a train of passenger cars
having the space between the end doors of adjacent cars
inclosed, so as to admit of leaving the doors open to
provide for intercommunication between all the cars.
Syn: Hall; passage.
Usage: {Vestibule}, {Hall}, {Passage}. A vestibule is a small
apartment within the doors of a building. A hall is
the first large apartment beyond the vestibule, and,
in the United States, is often long and narrow,
serving as a passage to the several apartments. In
England, the hall is generally square or oblong, and a
long, narrow space of entrance is called a passage,
not a hall, as in America. Vestibule is often used in
a figurative sense to denote a place of entrance.
``The citizens of Rome placed the images of their
ancestors in the vestibules of their houses.''
--Bolingbroke
Vestibulum \Ves*tib"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Vestibula}. [L.,
vestibule.] (Zo["o]l.)
A cavity into which, in certain bryozoans, the esophagus and
anus open.
Vestigate \Ves"ti*gate\, v. t. [L. vestigatus, p. p. of
vestigare. See {Vestige}.]
To investigate. [Obs.]
Vestige \Ves"tige\, n. [F., from L. vestigium footprint, trace,
sign; the last part (-stigium) is probably akin to E. sty, v.
i. Cf. {Investigate}.]
The mark of the foot left on the earth; a track or footstep;
a trace; a sign; hence, a faint mark or visible sign left by
something which is lost, or has perished, or is no longer
present; remains; as, the vestiges of ancient magnificence in
Palmyra; vestiges of former population.
What vestiges of liberty or property have they left?
--Burke.
Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but never
usurped her place. --Landor.
Syn: Trace; mark; sign; token.
Usage: {Vestige}, {Trace}. These words agree in marking some
indications of the past, but differ to some extent in
their use and application. Vestige is used chiefly in
a figurative sense, for the remains something long
passed away; as, the vestiges of ancient times;
vestiges of the creation. A trace is literally
something drawn out in a line, and may be used in this
its primary sense, or figuratively, to denote a sign
or evidence left by something that has passed by, or
ceased to exist. Vestige usually supposes some
definite object of the past to be left behind; while a
trace may be a mere indication that something has been
present or is present; as, traces of former
population; a trace of poison in a given substance.
Vestigial \Ves*tig"i*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a vestige.
Vesting \Vest"ing\, n.
Cloth for vests; a vest pattern.
Vestiture \Ves"ti*ture\ (?; 135), n. [See {Vesture}.]
In vestiture. [R.]
Vestlet \Vest"let\, n. [Dim. of vest.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of actinians belonging to the
genus {Cerianthus}. These animals have a long, smooth body
tapering to the base, and two separate circles of tentacles
around the mouth. They form a tough, flexible, feltlike tube
with a smooth internal lining, in which they dwell, whence
the name.
Vestment \Vest"ment\, n. [OE. vestement, vestiment, OF.
vestement, vestiment, F. v[^e]tement, fr. L. vestimentum, fr.
vestire to clothe, fr. vestis a garment, clothing. See
{Vest}.]
A covering or garment; some part of clothing or dress;
specifically (Eccl.), any priestly garment. ``Royal
vestiment.'' --Chaucer. ``Priests in holy vestments.''
--Shak.
The sculptor could not give vestments suitable to the
quality of the persons represented. --Dryden.
Vestry \Ves"try\, n.; pl. {Vestries}. [OE. vestrye, F.
vestiaire, L. vestiarium, fr. vestiarius belonging to
clothes, fr. vestis a garment. See {Vest}, n., and cf.
{Vestiary}.]
1. A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal
vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and
where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a
sacristy; -- formerly called revestiary.
He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring
forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. --2
Kings x. 22.
2. (Ch. of Eng.) A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons
who manage parochial affairs; -- so called because usually
held in a vestry.
3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A body, composed of wardens and
vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its
temporal concerns.
{Metropolitan vestry}, in the city of London, and certain
specified parishes and places in England, a body composed
of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the
repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of
certain officers, etc.
{Select vestry}, a select number of persons chosen in large
and populous English parishes to represent and manage the
concerns of the parish for one year. --Mozley & W.
{Vestry board} (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above.
{Vestry clerk}, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a
record of its proceedings; also, in England, one who keeps
the parish accounts and books.
{Vestry meeting}, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board;
also, a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other
place.
Vestryman \Ves"try*man\, n.; pl. {Vestrymen}.
A member of a vestry; especially (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a member
other than a warden. See {Vestry}.
Vesture \Ves"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OF. vesture, vesteure, F.
v[^e]ture, LL. vestitura, from L. vestire to clothe, dress.
See {Vest}, v. t., and cf. {Vestiture}.]
1. A garment or garments; a robe; clothing; dress; apparel;
vestment; covering; envelope. --Piers Plowman.
Approach, and kiss her sacred vesture's hem.
--Milton.
Rocks, precipices, and gulfs, appareled with a
vesture of plants. --Bentley.
There polished chests embroidered vestures graced.
--Pope.
2. (O. Eng. Law)
(a) The corn, grass, underwood, stubble, etc., with which
land was covered; as, the vesture of an acre.
(b) Seizin; possession.
Vestured \Ves"tured\, a.
Covered with vesture or garments; clothed; enveloped.
We be vestured with poor cloth. --Ld. Berners.
Vesuvian \Ve*su"vi*an\, a. [Cf. F. V['e]suvien, It. Vesuviano.]
Of or pertaining to Vesuvius, a volcano near Naples.
Vesuvian \Ve*su"vi*an\, n. [G. vesuvian. See {Vesuvian}, a.]
(Min.)
Vesuvianite.
Vesuvianite \Ve*su"vi*an*ite\, n. (Min.)
A mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals, and also massive,
of a brown to green color, rarely sulphur yellow and blue. It
is a silicate of alumina and lime with some iron magnesia,
and is common at Vesuvius. Also called {idocrase}.
Vesuvine \Ve*su"vine\, n.
A trade name for a brown dyestuff obtained from certain basic
azo compounds of benzene; -- called also {Bismarck brown},
{Manchester brown}, etc.
Vetch \Vetch\, n. [Also fitch; OE. ficche, feche, for veche, OF.
veche, vecce, vesche, vesce, F. vesce, fr. L. vicia.] (Bot.)
Any leguminous plant of the genus {Vicia}, some species of
which are valuable for fodder. The common species is {V.
sativa}.
Note: The name is also applied to many other leguminous
plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of
the genus {Lathyrus}; the horse vetch, of the genus
{Hippocrepis}; the kidney vetch ({Anthyllis
vulneraria}); the milk vetch, of the genus
{Astragalus}; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice
({Abrus precatorius}).
Vetchling \Vetch"ling\, n. [Vetch + -ling.] (Bot.)
Any small leguminous plant of the genus {Lathyrus},
especially {L. Nissolia}.
Vetchy \Vetch"y\, a.
1. Consisting of vetches or of pea straw. ``A vetchy bed.''
--Spenser.
2. Abounding with vetches.
Veteran \Vet"er*an\, a. [L. veteranus, from vetus, veteris, old;
akin to Gr. ? year, Skr. vatsara. See {Wether}.]
Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and
the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced; as, a
veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill.
The insinuating eloquence and delicate flattery of
veteran diplomatists and courtiers. --Macaulay.
Veteran \Vet"er*an\, n. [L. veteranus (sc. miles): cf. F.
v['e]t['e]ran.]
One who has been long exercised in any service or art,
particularly in war; one who has had.
Ensigns that pierced the foe's remotest lines, The
hardy veteran with tears resigns. --Addison.
Note: In the United States, during the civil war, soldiers
who had served through one term of enlistment and had
re["e]nlisted were specifically designated veterans.
Veteranize \Vet"er*an*ize\, v. i.
To re["e]nlist for service as a soldier. [U. S.] --Gen. W. T.
Sherman.
Veterinarian \Vet`er*i*na"ri*an\, n. [L. veterinarius. See
{Veterinary}.]
One skilled in the diseases of cattle or domestic animals; a
veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary \Vet"er*i*na*ry\, a. [L. veterinarius of or belonging
to beasts of burden an draught, fr. veterinus, probably
originally, of or pertaining to yearlings: cf. F.
v['e]t['e]rinaire. See {Veteran}, {Wether}.]
Of or pertaining to the art of healing or treating the
diseases of domestic animals, as oxen, horses, sheep, etc.;
as, a veterinary writer or school.
Vetiver \Vet"i*ver\, n. (Bot.)
An East Indian grass ({Andropogon muricatus}); also, its
fragrant roots which are much used for making mats and
screens. Also called {kuskus}, and {khuskhus}. [Sometimes
written {vetivert}, and {vitivert}.]
Veto \Ve"to\, n.; pl. {Vetoes}. [L. veto I forbid.]
1. An authoritative prohibition or negative; a forbidding; an
interdiction.
This contemptuous veto of her husband's on any
intimacy with her family. --G. Eliot.
2. Specifically:
(a) A power or right possessed by one department of
government to forbid or prohibit the carrying out of
projects attempted by another department; especially,
in a constitutional government, a power vested in the
chief executive to prevent the enactment of measures
passed by the legislature. Such a power may be
absolute, as in the case of the Tribunes of the People
in ancient Rome, or limited, as in the case of the
President of the United States. Called also {the veto
power}.
(b) The exercise of such authority; an act of prohibition
or prevention; as, a veto is probable if the bill
passes.
(c) A document or message communicating the reasons of the
executive for not officially approving a proposed law;
-- called also {veto message}. [U. S.]
Note: Veto is not a term employed in the Federal
Constitution, but seems to be of popular use only.
--Abbott.
Veto \Ve"to\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vetoed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vetoing}.]
To prohibit; to negative; also, to refuse assent to, as a
legislative bill, and thus prevent its enactment; as, to veto
an appropriation bill.
Vetoist \Ve"to*ist\, n.
One who uses, or sustains the use of, the veto.
Vettura \Vet*tu"ra\, n.; pl. {Vetture}. [It. vettura, fr. L.
vectura conveyance. Cf. {Vecture}.]
An Italian four-wheeled carriage, esp. one let for hire; a
hackney coach.
Vetturino \Vet`tu*ri"no\, n.; pl. {Vetturini}. [It.]
1. One who lets or drives a vettura.
2. A vettura.
Vetust \Ve*tust"\, a. [L. vetustus old, ancient.]
Venerable from antiquity; ancient; old. [Obs.]
Vex \Vex\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vexed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vexing}.] [F. vexer, L. vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally,
to shake, toss, in carrying, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum,
to carry. See {Vehicle}.]
1. To to?s back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet.
White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars.
--Pope.
2. To make angry or annoyed by little provocations; to
irritate; to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict; to
trouble; to tease. ``I will not vex your souls.'' --Shak.
Then thousand torments vex my heart. --Prior.
3. To twist; to weave. [R.]
Some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom.
--Dryden.
Syn: See {Tease}.
Vex \Vex\, v. i.
To be irritated; to fret. [R.] --Chapman.
Vexation \Vex*a"tion\, n. [L. vexatio: cf. F. vexation.]
1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation;
disquiet; trouble; irritation.
Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but
vexation and pain. --Sir W.
Temple.
Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for
any trace of vexation. --Macaulay.
2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction.
Your children were vexation to your youth. --Shak.
3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as
by a malicious suit. --Bacon.
Syn: Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble;
grief; sorrow; distress. See {Chagrin}.
Vexatious \Vex*a"tious\, a. [See {Vexation}.]
1. Causing vexation; agitating; afflictive; annoying; as, a
vexatious controversy; a vexatious neighbor. ``Continual
vexatious wars.'' --South.
2. Full or vexation, trouble, or disquiet; disturbed.
He leads a vexatious life. --Sir K.
Digby.
{Vexatious suit} (Law), a suit commenced for the purpose of
giving trouble, or without cause. -- {Vex*a"tious*ly},
adv. -- {Vex*a"tious*ness}, n.
Vexed \Vexed\, a.
1. Annoyed; harassed; troubled.
2. Much debated or contested; causing discussion; as, a vexed
question.
Vexer \Vex"er\, n.
One who vexes or troubles.
Vexil \Vex"il\, n.
A vexillum.
Vexillar \Vex"il*lar\, Vexillary \Vex"il*la*ry\, [Cf. F.
vexillaire, L. vexillarius a standard bearer.]
1. Of or pertaining to an ensign or standard.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the vexillum, or upper petal of
papilionaceous flowers.
{Vexilary [ae]stivation} (Bot.), a mode of [ae]stivation in
which one large upper petal folds over, and covers, the
other smaller petals, as in most papilionaceous plants.
Vexillary \Vex"il*la*ry\, n. [L. vexillarius: cf. F.
vexillaire.]
A standard bearer. --Tennyson.
Vexillation \Vex`il*la"tion\, n. [L. vexillatio.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A company of troops under one vexillum.
Vexillum \Vex*il"lum\, n.; pl. {Vexilla}. [L., a standard, a
flag.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
(a) A flag or standard.
(b) A company of troops serving under one standard.
2. (Eccl.)
(a) A banner.
(b) The sign of the cross.
3. (Bot.) The upper petal of a papilionaceous flower; the
standard.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The rhachis and web of a feather taken
together; the vane.
Vexingly \Vex"ing*ly\, adv.
In a vexing manner; so as to vex, tease, or irritate.
--Tatler.
V hook \V" hook`\ (Steam Engine)
A gab at the end of an eccentric rod, with long jaws, shaped
like the letter V.
Via \Vi"a\, n. [L. See {Way}.]
A road way.
{Via Lactea} [L.] (Anat.), the Milky Way, or Galaxy. See
{Galaxy}, 1.
{Via media} [L.] (Theol.), the middle way; -- a name applied
to their own position by the Anglican high-churchmen, as
being between the Roman Catholic Church and what they term
extreme Protestantism.
Via \Vi"a\, prep. [L., ablative of via way. See {Way}.]
By the way of; as, to send a letter via Queenstown to London.
Viability \Vi`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being viable. Specifically:
(a) (Law) The capacity of living after birth. --Bouvier.
(b) The capacity of living, or being distributed, over wide
geographical limits; as, the viability of a species.
Viable \Vi"a*ble\, a. [F., from vie life, L. vita. See {Vital}.]
(Law)
Capable of living; born alive and with such form and
development of organs as to be capable of living; -- said of
a newborn, or a prematurely born, infant.
Note: Unless he [an infant] is born viable, he acquires no
rights, and can not transmit them to his heirs, and is
considered as if he had never been born. --Bouvier.
Viaduct \Vi`a*duct\, n. [L. via a way + -duct, as in aqueduct:
cf. F. viaduc. See {Via}, and {Aqueduct}.]
A structure of considerable magnitude, usually with arches or
supported on trestles, for carrying a road, as a railroad,
high above the ground or water; a bridge; especially, one for
crossing a valley or a gorge. Cf. {Trestlework}.
Viage \Vi"age\, n. [See {Voyage}.]
A voyage; a journey. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Gower.
Vial \Vi"al\, n. [OE. viole, fiole, F. fiole. See {Phial}.]
A small bottle, usually of glass; a little glass vessel with
a narrow aperture intended to be closed with a stopper; as, a
vial of medicine. [Written also {phial}.]
Take thou this vial, being then in bed, And this
distilled liquor thou off. --Shak.
Vial \Vi"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vialed}or {Vialled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vialing} or {Vialling}.]
To put in a vial or vials. ``Precious vialed liquors.''
--Milton.
Viameter \Vi*am"e*ter\, n. [L. via a way + -meter.]
An odometer; -- called also {viatometer}.
Viand \Vi"and\, n. [F. viande meat, food, LL. vianda, vivanda,
vivenda, properly, things to live on, fr. L. vivere to live;
akin to vivus living. See {Vivid}, and cf. {Victualis}.]
An article of food; provisions; food; victuals; -- used
chiefly in the plural. --Cowper.
Viands of various kinds allure the taste. --Pope.
Viander \Vi"and*er\, n.
A feeder; an eater; also, one who provides viands, or food; a
host. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Vi-apple \Vi"-ap`ple\, n.
See {Otaheite apple}.
Viary \Vi"a*ry\, a. [L. viarius, fr. via a way, road.]
Of or pertaining to roads; happening on roads. [Obs.]
Viatecture \Vi"a*tec`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. via way + -tecture,
as in architecture.]
The art of making roads or ways for traveling, including the
construction of bridges, canals, viaducts, etc. [R.] --R.
Park.
Viatic \Vi*at"ic\, a. [L. viaticus, fr. via a way. See
{Voyage}.]
Of or pertaining to a journey or traveling.
Viaticum \Vi*at"i*cum\, n. [L., from viaticus, a. See {Viatic}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) An allowance for traveling expenses made to
those who were sent into the provinces to exercise any
office or perform any service.
2. Provisions for a journey. --Davies (Wit's Pilgr.).
3. (R. C. Ch.) The communion, or eucharist, when given to
persons in danger of death.
Viatometer \Vi`a*tom"e*ter\, n.
A viameter.
Vibices \Vi*bi"ces\, n. pl. [L., pl. of vibex, -icis, the mark
of a blow.] (Med.)
More or less extensive patches of subcutaneous extravasation
of blood.
Vibraculum \Vi*brac"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Vibracula}. [NL., dim. from
L. vibrare to vibrate.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the movable, slender, spinelike organs or parts with
which certain bryozoans are furnished. They are regarded as
specially modified zooids, of nearly the same nature as
Avicularia.
Vibrancy \Vi"bran*cy\, n.
The state of being vibrant; resonance.
Vibrant \Vi"brant\, a. [L. vibrans, p. pr.: cf. F. vibrant. See
{Vibrate}.]
Vibrating; tremulous; resonant; as, vibrant drums.
--Longfellow.
Vibrate \Vi"brate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vibrate}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vibrating}.] [L. vibratus, p. p. of vibrare, v. t. & v.
i., to snake, brandish, vibrate; akin to Skr. vip to tremble,
Icel. veifa to wave, vibrate. See {Waive} and cf. {Whip}, v.
t.]
1. To brandish; to move to and fro; to swing; as, to vibrate
a sword or a staff.
2. To mark or measure by moving to and fro; as, a pendulum
vibrating seconds.
3. To affect with vibratory motion; to set in vibration.
Breath vocalized, that is, vibrated or undulated,
may . . . impress a swift, tremulous motion.
--Holder.
Star to star vibrates light. --Tennyson.
Vibrate \Vi"brate\, v. i.
1. To move to and fro, or from side to side, as a pendulum,
an elastic rod, or a stretched string, when disturbed from
its position of rest; to swing; to oscillate.
2. To have the constituent particles move to and fro, with
alternate compression and dilation of parts, as the air,
or any elastic body; to quiver.
3. To produce an oscillating or quivering effect of sound;
as, a whisper vibrates on the ear. --Pope.
4. To pass from one state to another; to waver; to fluctuate;
as, a man vibrates between two opinions.
Vibratile \Vi"bra*tile\, a. [Cf. F. vibratile.]
Adapted to, or used in, vibratory motion; having the power of
vibrating; vibratory; as, the vibratile organs of insects.
Vibratility \Vi`bra*til"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. vibratilit['e].]
The quality or state of being vibratile; disposition to
vibration or oscillation. --Rush.
Vibration \Vi*bra"tion\, n. [L. vibratio: cf. F. vibration.]
1. The act of vibrating, or the state of being vibrated, or
in vibratory motion; quick motion to and fro; oscillation,
as of a pendulum or musical string.
As a harper lays his open palm Upon his harp, to
deaden its vibrations. --Longfellow.
2. (Physics) A limited reciprocating motion of a particle of
an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite
directions from its position of equilibrium, when that
equilibrium has been disturbed, as when a stretched cord
or other body produces musical notes, or particles of air
transmit sounds to the ear. The path of the particle may
be in a straight line, in a circular arc, or in any curve
whatever.
Note: Vibration and oscillation are both used, in mechanics,
of the swinging, or rising and falling, motion of a
suspended or balanced body; the latter term more
appropriately, as signifying such motion produced by
gravity, and of any degree of slowness, while the
former applies especially to the quick, short motion to
and fro which results from elasticity, or the action of
molecular forces among the particles of a body when
disturbed from their position of rest, as in a spring.
{Amplitude of vibration}, the maximum displacement of a
vibrating particle or body from its position of rest.
{Phase of vibration}, any part of the path described by a
particle or body in making a complete vibration, in
distinction from other parts, as while moving from one
extreme to the other, or on one side of the line of rest,
in distinction from the opposite. Two particles are said
to be in the same phase when they are moving in the same
direction and with the same velocity, or in corresponding
parts of their paths.
Vibratiuncle \Vi*bra"ti*un`cle\, a. [Dim. of vibration.]
A small vibration. [R.] --Chambers.
Vibrative \Vi"bra*tive\, a. Vibrating
; vibratory. ``A vibrative motion.'' --Sir I. Newton.
Vibratory \Vi"bra*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. vibratoire.]
Consisting in, or causing, vibration, or oscillation;
vibrating; as, a vibratory motion; a vibratory power.
Vibrio \Vib"ri*o\, n.; pl. E. {Vibrios}, L. {Vibriones}. [NL.,
fr. L. vibrare to vibrate, to move by undulations.] (Biol.)
A genus of motile bacteria characterized by short, slightly
sinuous filaments and an undulatory motion; also, an
individual of this genus.
Vibrissa \Vi*bris"sa\, n.; pl. {Vibriss[ae]}. [L. vibrissae,
pl., the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. vibrare to
vibrate; -- so called because touching them tickles a person,
and causes him to shake his head.]
1. (Anat.) One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow
about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many
animals, as the so-called whiskers of the cat, and the
hairs of the nostrils of man.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many
birds.
Vibroscope \Vi"bro*scope\, n.
1. An instrument for observing or tracing vibrations.
2. An instrument resembling the phenakistoscope.
Viburnum \Vi*bur"num\, n. [L., the wayfaring tree.] (Bot.)
A genus of shrubs having opposite, petiolate leaves and
cymose flowers, several species of which are cultivated as
ornamental, as the laurestine and the guelder-rose.
Vicar \Vic"ar\, n. [OE. vicar, viker, vicair, F. vicaire, fr. L.
vicarius. See {Vicarious}.]
1. One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of
another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [R.]
2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) The incumbent of an appropriated
benefice.
Note: The distinction between a parson [or rector] and vicar
is this: The parson has, for the most part, the whole
right to the ecclesiastical dues in his parish; but a
vicar has generally an appropriator over him, entitled
to the best part of the profits, to whom he is in fact
perpetual curate with a standing salary. --Burrill.
{Apostolic vicar}, or {Vicar apostolic}. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) A bishop to whom the Roman pontiff delegates a portion
of his jurisdiction.
(b) Any ecclesiastic acting under a papal brief,
commissioned to exercise episcopal authority.
(c) A titular bishop in a country where there is no
episcopal see, or where the succession has been
interrupted.
{Vicar forane}. [Cf. LL. foraneus situated outside of the
episcopal city, rural. See {Vicar}, and {Foreign}.] (R. C.
Ch.) A dignitary or parish priest appointed by a bishop to
exercise a limited jurisdiction in a particular town or
district of a diocese. --Addis & Arnold.
{Vicar-general}.
(a) (Ch. of Eng.) The deputy of the Archbishop of
Canterbury or York, in whose court the bishops of the
province are confirmed. --Encyc. Brit.
(b) (R. C. Ch.) An assistant to a bishop in the discharge
of his official functions.
{Vicar of Jesus Christ} (R. C. Ch.), the pope as representing
Christ on earth.
Vicarage \Vic"ar*age\ (?; 48), n.
1. The benefice of a vicar.
2. The house or residence of a vicar.
Vicarial \Vi*ca"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. vicarial.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vicar; as, vicarial tithes.
2. Delegated; vicarious; as, vicarial power.
Vicarian \Vi*ca"ri*an\, n.
A vicar. [Obs.] --Marston.
Vicariate \Vi*ca"ri*ate\, a.
Having delegated power, as a vicar; vicarious. --Barrow.
Vicariate \Vi*ca"ri*ate\, n. [LL. vicariatus, or F. vicariat.]
Delegated office or power; vicarship; the office or oversight
of a vicar.
The vicariate of that part of Germany which is governed
by the Saxon laws devolved on the elector of Saxony.
--Robertson.
Vicarious \Vi*ca"ri*ous\, a. [L. vicarius, from vicis change,
alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one
person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. ? to yield, give
way, G. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See
{Weak}, and cf. {Vice}, prep.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy;
deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority.
2. Acting of suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or
officer.
The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient,
and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty.
--Sir M. Hale.
3. Performed of suffered in the place of another;
substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious
punishment.
The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer. --I.
Taylor.
4. (Med.) Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action
which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious
hemorrhage replacing menstruation.
Vicariously \Vi*ca"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
In a vicarious manner.
Vicarship \Vic"ar*ship\, n.
The office or dignity of a vicar.
Vicary \Vic"ar*y\, n. [L. vicarius.]
A vicar. [Obs.]
Vice \Vice\, n. [F., from L. vitium.]
1. A defect; a fault; an error; a blemish; an imperfection;
as, the vices of a political constitution; the vices of a
horse.
Withouten vice of syllable or letter. --Chaucer.
Mark the vice of the procedure. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
2. A moral fault or failing; especially, immoral conduct or
habit, as in the indulgence of degrading appetites;
customary deviation in a single respect, or in general,
from a right standard, implying a defect of natural
character, or the result of training and habits; a harmful
custom; immorality; depravity; wickedness; as, a life of
vice; the vice of intemperance.
I do confess the vices of my blood. --Shak.
Ungoverned appetite . . . a brutish vice. --Milton.
When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The
post of honor is a private station. --Addison.
3. The buffoon of the old English moralities, or moral
dramas, having the name sometimes of one vice, sometimes
of another, or of Vice itself; -- called also {Iniquity}.
Note: This character was grotesquely dressed in a cap with
ass's ears, and was armed with a dagger of lath: one of
his chief employments was to make sport with the Devil,
leaping on his back, and belaboring him with the dagger
of lath till he made him roar. The Devil, however,
always carried him off in the end. --Nares.
How like you the Vice in the play? . . . I would
not give a rush for a Vice that has not a wooden
dagger to snap at everybody. --B. Jonson.
Syn: Crime; sin; iniquity; fault. See {Crime}.
Vice \Vice\, n. [See {Vise}.]
1. (Mech.) A kind of instrument for holding work, as in
filing. Same as {Vise}.
2. A tool for drawing lead into cames, or flat grooved rods,
for casements. [Written also {vise}.]
3. A gripe or grasp. [Obs.] --Shak.
Vice \Vice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Viced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vicing}.]
To hold or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice. --Shak.
The coachman's hand was viced between his upper and
lower thigh. --De Quincey.
Vice \Vi"ce\, prep. [L., abl. of vicis change, turn. See
{Vicarious}.]
In the place of; in the stead; as, A. B. was appointed
postmaster vice C. D. resigned.
Vice \Vice\, a. [Cf. F. vice-. See {Vice}, prep.]
Denoting one who in certain cases may assume the office or
duties of a superior; designating an officer or an office
that is second in rank or authority; as, vice president; vice
agent; vice consul, etc.
{Vice admiral}. [Cf. F. vice-amiral.]
(a) An officer holding rank next below an admiral. By the
existing laws, the rank of admiral and vice admiral in
the United States Navy will cease at the death of the
present incumbents.
(b) A civil officer, in Great Britain, appointed by the lords
commissioners of the admiralty for exercising admiralty
jurisdiction within their respective districts.
{Vice admiralty}, the office of a vice admiral.
{Vice-admiralty court}, a court with admiralty jurisdiction,
established by authority of Parliament in British
possessions beyond the seas. --Abbott.
{Vice chamberlain}, an officer in court next in rank to the
lord chamberlain. [Eng.]
{Vice chancellor}.
(a) (Law) An officer next in rank to a chancellor.
(b) An officer in a university, chosen to perform certain
duties, as the conferring of degrees, in the absence of
the chancellor.
(c) (R. C. Ch.) The cardinal at the head of the Roman
Chancery.
{Vice consul} [cf. F. vice-consul], a subordinate officer,
authorized to exercise consular functions in some
particular part of a district controlled by a consul.
{Vice king}, one who acts in the place of a king; a viceroy.
{Vice legate} [cf. F. vice-l['e]gat], a legate second in rank
to, or acting in place of, another legate.
{Vice presidency}, the office of vice president.
{Vice president} [cf. F. vice-pr['e]sident], an officer next
in rank below a president.
Viced \Viced\, a.
Vicious; corrupt. [Obs.] --Shak.
Vicegerency \Vice*ge"ren*cy\, n.
The office of a vicegerent. --South.
Vicegerent \Vice*ge"rent\, a. [Vice, a. + gerent: cf. F.
viceg['e]rant.]
Having or exercising delegated power; acting by substitution,
or in the place of another. --Milton.
Vicegerent \Vice*ge"rent\, a. [Vice, a. + gerent: cf. F.
viceg['e]rant.]
Having or exercising delegated power; acting by substitution,
or in the place of another. --Milton.
Vicegerent \Vice*ge"rent\, n.
An officer who is deputed by a superior, or by proper
authority, to exercise the powers of another; a lieutenant; a
vicar. --Bacon.
The symbol and vicegerent of the Deity. --C. A. Young.
Viceman \Vice"man\, n.; pl. {Vicemen}.
A smith who works at the vice instead of at the anvil.
Vicenary \Vic"e*na*ry\ (?; 277), a. [L. vicenarius, fr. viceni
twenty each; akin to viginti twenty.]
Of or pertaining to twenty; consisting of twenty.
Vicennial \Vi*cen"ni*al\, a. [L. vicennium a period of twenty
years; viceni twenty + annus year.]
1. Lasting or comprising twenty years.
2. Happening once in twenty years; as, a vicennial
celebration.
Vice-regal \Vice`-re"gal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a viceroy or viceroyalty. --Macaulay.
Viceroy \Vice"roy\, n. [F. vice-roi; pref. vice- in the place of
(L. vice) + roi a king, L. rex. See {Vice}, prep. and Royal.]
1. The governor of a country or province who rules in the
name of the sovereign with regal authority, as the king's
substitute; as, the viceroy of India.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large and handsome American butterfly
({Basilarchia, or Limenitis, archippus}). Its wings are
orange-red, with black lines along the nervures and a row
of white spots along the outer margins. The larv[ae] feed
on willow, poplar, and apple trees.
Viceroyalty \Vice*roy"al*ty\, n.
The dignity, office, or jurisdiction of a viceroy.
Viceroyship \Vice"roy*ship\, n.
Viceroyalty.
Vicety \Vi"ce*ty\, n. [From {Vice} a fault.]
Fault; defect; coarseness. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Vichy water \Vi"chy wa`ter\
A mineral water found at Vichy, France. It is essentially an
effervescent solution of sodium, calcium, and magnetism
carbonates, with sodium and potassium chlorides; also, by
extension, any artificial or natural water resembling in
composition the Vichy water proper. Called also,
colloquially, Vichy.
Viciate \Vi"ci*ate\, v. t.
See {Vitiate}. [R.]
Viinage \Vi"i*nage\ (?; 48), n. [OF. veisinage, F. voisinage,
from OF. veisin, F. voisin, neighboring, a neighbor, L.
vicunus. See {Vicinity}.]
The place or places adjoining or near; neighborhood;
vicinity; as, a jury must be of the vicinage. ``To summon the
Protestant gentleman of the vicinage.'' --Macaulay.
Civil war had broken up all the usual ties of vicinage
and good neighborhood. --Sir W.
Scott.
Vicinal \Vic"i*nal\ (?; 277), a. [L. vicinalis: cf. F. vicinal.]
Near; vicine. --T. Warton.
{Vicinal planes} (Min.), subordinate planes on a crystal,
which are very near to the fundamental planes in angles,
and sometimes take their place. They have in general very
complex symbols.
Vicine \Vic"ine\, a. [L. vicinus: cf. F. voisin.]
Near; neighboring; vicinal. [R.] --Glanvill.
Vicine \Vic"ine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid ex tracted from the seeds of the vetch ({Vicia
sativa}) as a white crystalline substance.
Vicinity \Vi*cin"i*ty\ (?; 277), n. [L. vicinitas, from vicinus
neighboring, near, from vicus a row of houses, a village;
akin to Gr. ? a house, Skr. v??a a house, vi? to enter, Goth.
weihs town: cf. OF. vicinit['e]. Cf. {Diocese}, {Economy},
{Parish}, {Vicinage}, {Wick} a village.]
1. The quality or state of being near, or not remote;
nearness; propinquity; proximity; as, the value of the
estate was increased by the vicinity of two country seats.
A vicinity of disposition and relative tempers.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is near, or not remote; that which is adjacent
to anything; adjoining space or country; neighborhood.
``The vicinity of the sun.'' --Bentley.
Syn: Neighborhood; vicinage. See {Neighborhood}.
Viciosity \Vi`ci*os"i*ty\, n.
Vitiosity. [R.]
Vicious \Vi"cious\, a. [OF. vicious, F. vicieux, fr. L.
vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. See {Vice} a fault.]
1. Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty;
imperfect.
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess. --Shak.
The title of these lords was vicious in its origin.
--Burke.
A charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. --De
Quincey.
2. Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct;
depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples;
vicious conduct.
Who . . . heard this heavy curse, Servant of
servants, on his vicious race. --Milton.
3. Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air,
water, etc. --Dryden.
4. Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language;
vicious idioms.
5. Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly;
refractory; as, a vicious horse.
6. Bitter; spiteful; malignant. [Colloq.]
Syn: Corrupt; faulty; wicked; depraved. -- {Vi"cious*ly},
adv. -- {Vi"cious*ness}, n.
Vicissitude \Vi*cis"si*tude\, n. [L. vicissitudo, fr. vicis
change, turn: cf. F. vicissitude. See {Vicarious}.]
1. Regular change or succession from one thing to another;
alternation; mutual succession; interchange.
God made two great lights . . . To illuminate the
earth and rule the day In their vicissitude, and
rule the night. --Milton.
2. Irregular change; revolution; mutation.
This man had, after many vicissitudes of fortune,
sunk at last into abject and hopeless poverty.
--Macaulay.
Vicissitudinary \Vi*cis`si*tu"di*na*ry\, a.
Subject to vicissitudes. --Donne.
Vicissitudinous \Vi*cis`si*tu"di*nous\, a.
Full of, or subject to, changes.
Vicissy duck \Vi*cis"sy duck`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A West Indian duck, sometimes domesticated.
Vicontiel \Vi*con"ti*el\, a. [From OE. vicounte a viscount. See
{Viscount}.] (O. Eng. Law)
Of or pertaining to the viscount or sheriff of a country.
{Vicontiel rents}. See {Vicontiels}.
{Vicontiel writs}, such writs as were triable in the sheriff,
or county, court.
Vicontiels \Vi*con"ti*els\, n. pl. [See {Vicontiel}.] (O. Eng.
Law)
Things belonging to the sheriff; especially, farms (called
also {vicontiel rents}) for which the sheriff used to pay
rent to the king.
Vicount \Vi"count\, n.
See {Viscount}.
Victim \Vic"tim\, n. [L. victima: cf. F. victime.]
1. A living being sacrificed to some deity, or in the
performance of a religious rite; a creature immolated, or
made an offering of.
Led like a victim, to my death I'll go. --Dryden.
2. A person or thing destroyed or sacrificed in the pursuit
of an object, or in gratification of a passion; as, a
victim to jealousy, lust, or ambition.
3. A person or living creature destroyed by, or suffering
grievous injury from, another, from fortune or from
accident; as, the victim of a defaulter; the victim of a
railroad accident.
4. Hence, one who is duped, or cheated; a dupe; a gull.
[Colloq.]
Victimate \Vic"tim*ate\, v. t. [L. victimatus, p. p. of
victimare to sacrifice.]
To make a victim of; to sacrifice; to immolate. [Obs.]
--Bullokar.
Victimize \Vic"tim*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Victimized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Victimizing}.]
To make a victim of, esp. by deception; to dupe; to cheat.
Victor \Vic"tor\, n. [L. victor, fr. vincere, victum, to
vanquish, to conquer. See {Vanquish}.]
1. The winner in a contest; one who gets the better of
another in any struggle; esp., one who defeats an enemy in
battle; a vanquisher; a conqueror; -- often followed by
art, rarely by of.
In love, the victors from the vanquished fly; They
fly that wound, and they pursue that die. --Waller.
2. A destroyer. [R. & Poetic]
There, victor of his health, of fortune, friends,
And fame, this lord of useless thousands ends.
--Pope.
Victor \Vic"tor\, a.
Victorious. ``The victor Greeks.'' --Pope.
Victoress \Vic"tor*ess\, n.
A victress. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Victoria \Vic*to"ri*a\, n. [NL.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of aquatic plants named in honor of Queen
Victoria. The {Victoria regia} is a native of Guiana and
Brazil. Its large, spreading leaves are often over five
feet in diameter, and have a rim from three to five inches
high; its immense rose-white flowers sometimes attain a
diameter of nearly two feet.
2. A kind of low four-wheeled pleasure carriage, with a
calash top, designed for two persons and the driver who
occupies a high seat in front.
3. (Astron.) An asteroid discovered by Hind in 1850; --
called also {Clio}.
{Victoria cross}, a bronze Maltese cross, awarded for valor
to members of the British army or navy. It was first
bestowed in 1857, at the close of the Crimean war. The
recipients also have a pension of [pounds]10 a year.
{Victoria green}. (Chem.) See {Emerald green}, under {Green}.
{Victoria lily} (Bot.), the {Victoria regia}. See def. 1,
above.
Victorian \Vic*to"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the reign of Queen Victoria of England;
as, the Victorian poets.
{Victorian period}. See {Dionysian period}, under
{Dyonysian}.
Victorine \Vic`tor*ine"\, n.
A woman's fur tippet.
Victorious \Vic*to"ri*ous\, a. [L. victoriosus: cf. F.
victorieux. See {Victory}.]
Of or pertaining to victory, or a victor' being a victor;
bringing or causing a victory; conquering; winning;
triumphant; as, a victorious general; victorious troops; a
victorious day.
But I shall rise victorious, and subdue My vanquisher.
--Milton.
Now are our brows bound wind victorious wreaths.
--Shak.
-- {Vic*to"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vic*to"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Victory \Vic"to*ry\, n.; pl. {Victories}. [OE. victorie, OF.
victorie, victoire, F. victoire, L. victoria. See {Victor}.]
The defeat of an enemy in battle, or of an antagonist in any
contest; a gaining of the superiority in any struggle or
competition; conquest; triumph; -- the opposite of {defeat}.
Death is swallowed up in victory. --1 Cor. xv.
54.
God on our side, doubt not of victory. --Shak.
Victory may be honorable to the arms, but shameful to
the counsels, of a nation. --Bolingbroke.
Victress \Vic"tress\, n. [Cf. L. victrix.]
A woman who wins a victory; a female victor.
Victrice \Vic"trice\, n.
A victress. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Victrix \Vic"trix\, n. [L.]
Victress. --C. Bront['e].
Victual \Vict"ual\, n.
1. Food; -- now used chiefly in the plural. See {Victuals}.
--2 Chron. xi. 23. Shak.
He was not able to keep that place three days for
lack of victual. --Knolles.
There came a fair-hair'd youth, that in his hand
Bare victual for the movers. --Tennyson.
Short allowance of victual. --Longfellow.
2. Grain of any kind. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Victual \Vict"ual\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Victualed}or
{Victualled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Victualing} or {Victualling}.]
To supply with provisions for subsistence; to provide with
food; to store with sustenance; as, to victual an army; to
victual a ship.
I must go victual Orleans forthwith. --Shak.
Victualage \Vict"ual*age\ (?; 48), n.
Victuals; food. [R.] ``With my cargo of victualage.'' --C.
Bront['e].
Victualer \Vict"ual*er\, n. [F. victuailleur.] [Written also
{victualler}.]
1. One who furnishes victuals.
2. One who keeps a house of entertainment; a tavern keeper;
an innkeeper. --Shak.
3. A vessel employed to carry provisions, usually for
military or naval use; a provision use; a provision ship.
4. One who deals in grain; a corn factor. [Scot.]
{Licensed victualer}. See under {Licensed}.
Victualing \Vict"ual*ing\, a.
Of or pertaining to victuals, or provisions; supplying
provisions; as, a victualing ship.
Victuals \Vict"uals\, n. pl. [OE. vitaille, OF. vitaille, F.
victuaille, pl. victuailles, fr. L. victualia, pl. of.
victualis belonging to living or nourishment, fr. victus
nourishment, from vivere, victum, to live; akin to vivus
living. See {Vivid}.]
Food for human beings, esp. when it is cooked or prepared for
the table; that which supports human life; provisions;
sustenance; meat; viands.
Then had we plenty of victuals. --Jer. xliv.
17.
Victus \Vic"tus\, n. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
Food; diet.
Vicuna \Vi*cu"[~n]a\, Vicugna \Vi*cu"gna\, n. [Sp. vicu[~n]a.
Cf. {Vigonia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South American mammal ({Auchenia vicunna}) native of the
elevated plains of the Andes, allied to the llama but
smaller. It has a thick coat of very fine reddish brown wool,
and long, pendent white hair on the breast and belly. It is
hunted for its wool and flesh.
Vida finch \Vid"a finch`\ (Zo["o]l.)
The whidah bird.
Vidame \Vi*dame"\, n. [F., fr. LL. vice-dominus, fr. L. vice
instead of + dominus master, lord.] (Fr. Feud. Law)
One of a class of temporal officers who originally
represented the bishops, but later erected their offices into
fiefs, and became feudal nobles.
Vide \Vi"de\,
imperative sing. of L. videre, to see; -- used to direct
attention to something; as, vide supra, see above.
Videlicet \Vi*del"i*cet\, adv. [L., contr. fr. videre licet,
literally, it is easy to see, one may or can see.]
To wit; namely; -- often abbreviated to viz.
Vidette \Vi*dette"\, n. (Mil.)
Same {Vedette}.
Vidonia \Vi*do"ni*a\, n. [Cf. Pg. vidonho the quality of grapes,
Sp. vedu[~n]o.]
A dry white wine, of a tart flavor, produced in Teneriffe; --
called also {Teneriffe}.
Viduage \Vid"u*age\, n. [See {Vidual}.]
The state of widows or of widowhood; also, widows,
collectively.
Vidual \Vid"u*al\, a. [L. vidualis, fr. vidua a widow, fr.
viduus widowed. See {Widow}.]
Of or pertaining to the state of a widow; widowed. [R.]
--Jer. Taylor.
Viduation \Vid`u*a"tion\, n.
The state of being widowed or bereaved; loss; bereavement.
[R.]
Viduity \Vi*du"i*ty\, n. [L. viduitas: cf. F. viduit['e].]
Widowhood. [R.] ``Chaste viduity.'' --Ld. Ellenborough.
Vie \Vie\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Vying}.]
[OE. vien, shortened fr. envien, OF. envier to invite, to
challenge, a word used in gambling, L. invitare to invite; of
uncertain origin. Cf. {Invite}, {Envie}.]
1. To stake a sum upon a hand of cards, as in the old game of
gleek. See {Revie}. [Obs.]
2. To strive for superiority; to contend; to use emulous
effort, as in a race, contest, or competition.
In a trading nation, the younger sons may be placed
in such a way of life as . . . to vie with the best
of their family. --Addison.
While Waterloo with Cann[ae]'s carnage vies.
--Byron.
Vie \Vie\, v. t.
1. To stake; to wager. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. To do or produce in emulation, competition, or rivalry; to
put in competition; to bandy. [Obs.]
She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss She vied so
fast. --Shak.
Nor was he set over us to vie wisdom with his
Parliament, but to be guided by them. --Milton.
And vying malice with my gentleness, Pick quarrels
with their only happiness. --Herbert.
Vie \Vie\, n.
A contest for superiority; competition; rivalry; strife;
also, a challenge; a wager. [Obs.]
We 'll all to church together instantly, And then a vie
for boys. --J. Fletcher.
Vielle \Vi*elle"\, n. [F. Cf. {Viol}.]
An old stringed instrument played upon with a wheel; a
hurdy-gurdy.
Vienna paste \Vi*en"na paste`\ (Pharm.)
A caustic application made up of equal parts of caustic
potash and quicklime; -- called also {Vienna caustic}.
Viennese \Vi`en*nese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Vienna, or people of Vienna. -- n. sing.
& pl. An inhabitant, or the inhabitants, of Vienna.
View \View\, n. [OF. veue, F. vue, fr. OF. veoir to see, p. p.
veu, F. voir, p. p. vu, fr. L. videre to see. See {Vision},
and cl. {Interview}, {Purview}, {Review}, {Vista}.]
1. The act of seeing or beholding; sight; look; survey;
examination by the eye; inspection.
Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view.
--Milton.
Objects near our view are thought greater than those
of a larger size are more remote. --Locke.
Surveying nature with too nice a view. --Dryden.
2. Mental survey; intellectual perception or examination; as,
a just view of the arguments or facts in a case.
I have with exact view perused thee, Hector. --Shak.
3. Power of seeing, either physically or mentally; reach or
range of sight; extent of prospect.
The walls of Pluto's palace are in view. --Dryden.
4. That which is seen or beheld; sight presented to the
natural or intellectual eye; scene; prospect; as, the view
from a window.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
--Campbell.
5. The pictorial representation of a scene; a sketch, ?ither
drawn or painted; as, a fine view of Lake George.
6. Mode of looking at anything; manner of apprehension;
conception; opinion; judgment; as, to state one's views of
the policy which ought to be pursued.
To give a right view of this mistaken part of
liberty. --Locke.
7. That which is looked towards, or kept in sight, as object,
aim, intention, purpose, design; as, he did it with a view
of escaping.
No man sets himself about anything but upon some
view or other which serves him for a reason.
--Locke.
8. Appearance; show; aspect. [Obs.]
[Graces] which, by the splendor of her view Dazzled,
before we never knew. --Waller.
{Field of view}. See under {Field}.
{Point of view}. See under {Point}.
{To have in view}, to have in mind as an incident, object, or
aim; as, to have one's resignation in view.
{View halloo}, the shout uttered by a hunter upon seeing the
fox break cover.
{View of frankpledge} (Law), a court of record, held in a
hundred, lordship, or manor, before the steward of the
leet. --Blackstone.
{View of premises} (Law), the inspection by the jury of the
place where a litigated transaction is said to have
occurred.
View \View\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Viewed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Viewing}.]
1. To see; to behold; especially, to look at with attention,
or for the purpose of examining; to examine with the eye;
to inspect; to explore.
O, let me view his visage, being dead. --Shak.
Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied, To mark what
of their state he more might learn. --Milton.
2. To survey or examine mentally; to consider; as, to view
the subject in all its aspects.
The happiest youth, viewing his progress through.
--Shak.
Viewer \View"er\, n.
1. One who views or examines.
2. (Law) A person appointed to inspect highways, fences, or
the like, and to report upon the same.
3. The superintendent of a coal mine. [Eng.]
Viewiness \View"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being viewy, or of having unpractical
views.
Viewless \View"less\, a.
Not perceivable by the eye; invisible; unseen. ``Viewless
winds.'' --Shak.
Swift through the valves the visionary fair Repassed,
and viewless mixed with common air. --Pope.
Viewly \View"ly\, Viewsome \View"some\, a.
Pleasing to the sight; sightly. [Prov. Eng.]
Viewy \View"y\, a.
1. Having peculiar views; fanciful; visionary; unpractical;
as, a viewy person.
2. Spectacular; pleasing to the eye or the imagination.
A government intent on showy absurdities and viewy
enterprises rather than solid work. --London
Spectator.
Vifda \Vif"da\, n.
In the Orkney and Shetland Islands, beef and mutton hung and
dried, but not salted. [Scot.] [Written also {vivda}.]
--Jamieson.
Vigesimal \Vi*ges"i*mal\, a. [L. vigesimus twentieth, from
viginti twenty.]
Twentieth; divided into, or consisting of, twenties or twenty
parts. --Tylor.
Vigesimation \Vi*ges`i*ma"tion\, n.
The act of putting to death every twentieth man. [R.]
Vigesimo-quarto \Vi*ges"i*mo-quar"to\, a. [L. vigesimus quartus
twenty-fourth. Cf. {Duodecimo}.]
Having twenty-four leaves to a sheet; as, a vigesimo-quarto
form, book, leaf, size, etc.
Vigesimo-quarto \Vi*ges"i*mo-quar"to\, n.; pl. {-tos}.
A book composed of sheets each of which is folded into
twenty-four leaves; hence, indicating more or less definitely
a size of book so made; -- usually written 24mo, or 24[deg].
Vigil \Vig"il\, n. [OE. vigile, L. vigilia, from vigil awake,
watchful, probably akin to E. wake: cf. F. vigile. See
{Wake}, v. i., and cf. {Reveille}, {Surveillance}, {Vedette},
{Vegetable}, {Vigor}.]
1. Abstinence from sleep, whether at a time when sleep is
customary or not; the act of keeping awake, or the state
of being awake, or the state of being awake;
sleeplessness; wakefulness; watch. ``Worn out by the
labors and vigils of many months.'' --Macaulay.
Nothing wears out a fine face like the vigils of the
card table and those cutting passions which attend
them. --Addison.
2. Hence, devotional watching; waking for prayer, or other
religious exercises.
So they in heaven their odes and vigils tuned.
--Milton.
Be sober and keep vigil, The Judge is at the gate.
--Neale
(Rhythm of St.
Bernard).
3. (Eccl.)
(a) Originally, the watch kept on the night before a
feast.
(b) Later, the day and the night preceding a feast.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say, ``To-morrow is St. Crispian.'' --Shak.
(c) A religious service performed in the evening preceding
a feast.
{Vigils, or Watchings}, {of flowers} (Bot.), a peculiar
faculty belonging to the flowers of certain plants of
opening and closing their petals as certain hours of the
day. [R.]
Vigilance \Vig"i*lance\, n. [L. vigilantia: cf. F. vigilance.]
1. The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of
sleep; wakefulness.
2. Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution;
circumspection. --Cowper.
And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their
earthly charge; of these the vigilance I dread.
--Milton.
3. Guard; watch. [Obs.] ``In at this gate none pass the
vigilance here placed.'' --Milton.
{Vigilance committee}, a volunteer committee of citizens for
the oversight and protection of any interest, esp. one
organized for the summary suppression and punishment of
crime, as when the processes of law appear inadequate.
Vigilancy \Vig"i*lan*cy\, n.
Vigilance. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Vigilant \Vig"i*lant\, a. [L. vigilans, -antis, p. pr. of
vigilare to watch, fr. vigil awake: cf. F. vigilant. See
{Vigil}.]
Attentive to discover and avoid danger, or to provide for
safety; wakeful; watchful; circumspect; wary. ``Be sober, be
vigilant.'' --1 Pet. v. 8.
Sirs, take your places, and be vigilant. --Shak.
Vigilantly \Vig"i*lant*ly\, adv.
In a vigilant manner.
Vigily \Vig"i*ly\, n. [L. vigilia.]
A vigil. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vigintivirate \Vi`gin*tiv"i*rate\, n. [L. vigintiviratus, fr.
vigintiviri; viginti twenty + vir a man.]
The office of the vigintiviri, a body of officers of
government consisting of twenty men; also, the vigintiviri.
[R.]
Vignette \Vi*gnette"\ (?; 277), n. [F. vignette, fr. vigne a
vine. See {Vine}, and cf. {Vinette}.]
1. (Arch.) A running ornament consisting of leaves and
tendrils, used in Gothic architecture.
2. A decorative design, originally representing vine branches
or tendrils, at the head of a chapter, of a manuscript or
printed book, or in a similar position; hence, by
extension, any small picture in a book; hence, also, as
such pictures are often without a definite bounding line,
any picture, as an engraving, a photograph, or the like,
which vanishes gradually at the edge.
Vignette \Vi*gnette"\, v. t.
To make, as an engraving or a photograph, with a border or
edge insensibly fading away.
Vigonia \Vi*go"ni*a\, a. [Cf. F. vigogne vicu[~n]a. See
{Vicu[~n]a}.]
Of or pertaining to the vicu[~n]a; characterizing the
vicu[~n]a; -- said of the wool of that animal, used in
felting hats, and for other purposes. --Prescott.
Vigor \Vig"or\, n. [OE. vigour, vigor, OF. vigor, vigur, vigour,
F. vigueur, fr. L. vigor, fr. vigere to be lively or strong.
See {Vegetable}, {Vigil}.]
1. Active strength or force of body or mind; capacity for
exertion, physically, intellectually, or morally; force;
energy.
The vigor of this arm was never vain. --Dryden.
2. Strength or force in animal or force in animal or
vegetable nature or action; as, a plant grows with vigor.
3. Strength; efficacy; potency.
But in the fruithful earth . . . His beams, unactive
else, their vigor find. --Milton.
Note: Vigor and its derivatives commonly imply active
strength, or the power of action and exertion, in
distinction from passive strength, or strength to
endure.
Vigor \Vig"or\, v. t.
To invigorate. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Vigorite \Vig"or*ite\, n. [L. vigor strength.]
An explosive containing nitroglycerin. It is used in
blasting.
Vigoroso \Vig`o*ro"so\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Vigorous; energetic; with energy; -- a direction to perform a
passage with energy and force.
Vigorous \Vig"or*ous\, a. [Cf. OF. vigoros, F. vigoureux, LL.
vigorosus.]
1. Possessing vigor; full of physical or mental strength or
active force; strong; lusty; robust; as, a vigorous youth;
a vigorous plant.
Famed for his valor, young, At sea successful,
vigorous and strong. --Waller.
2. Exhibiting strength, either of body or mind; powerful;
strong; forcible; energetic; as, vigorous exertions; a
vigorous prosecution of a war.
The beginnings of confederacies have been always
vigorous and successful. --Davenant.
-- {Vig"or*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vig"or*ous*ness}, n.
Viking \Vi"king\, n. [Icel. v[=i]kingr, fr. v[=i]k a bay,
inlet.]
One belonging to the pirate crews from among the Northmen,
who plundered the coasts of Europe in the eighth, ninth, and
tenth centuries.
Of grim Vikings, and the rapture Of the sea fight, and
the capture, And the life of slavery. --Longfellow.
Note: Vikings differs in meaning from sea king, with which
frequently confounded. ``The sea king was a man
connected with a royal race, either of the small kings
of the country, or of the Haarfager family, and who, by
right, received the title of king as soon he took the
command of men, although only of a single ship's crew,
and without having any land or kingdom . . . Vikings
were merely pirates, alternately peasants and pirates,
deriving the name of viking from the vicks, wicks, or
inlets, on the coast in which they harbored with their
long ships or rowing galleys.'' --Laing.
Vilany \Vil"a*ny\, n.
Villainy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vilayet \Vi`la*yet"\, n. [Turk., from Ar. wil[=a]yah.]
One of the chief administrative divisions or provinces of the
Ottoman Empire; -- formerly called eyalet.
Vild \Vild\, a. [As if the p. p. of a verb to vile. See {Vile},
a.]
Vile. [Obs.] ``That vild race.'' --Spenser. -- {Vild"ly},
adv. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Vile \Vile\, a. [Comp. {Viler}; superl. {Vilest}.] [OE. vil, F.
vil, from L. vilis cheap, worthless, vile, base.]
1. Low; base; worthless; mean; despicable.
A poor man in vile raiment. --James ii. 2.
The craft either of fishing, which was Peter's, or
of making tents, which was Paul's, were [was] more
vile than the science of physic. --Ridley.
The inhabitants account gold but as a vile thing.
--Abp. Abbot.
2. Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful; in the
sight of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad. ``Such vile
base practices.'' --Shak.
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee ? --Job
xl. 4.
Syn: See {Base}. -- {Vile"ly}, adv. -- {Vile"ness}, n.
Viled \Viled\, a. [See {Vild}.]
Abusive; scurrilous; defamatory; vile. [Obs.] ``Viled
speeches.'' --Hayward.
Vileyns \Vil"eyns\, a. [See {Villain}.]
Villainous. [Obs.] ``Vileyns sinful deeds make a churl.''
--Chaucer.
Vilification \Vil`i*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act of vilifying or defaming; abuse. --South.
Vilifier \Vil"i*fi`er\, n.
One who vilifies or defames.
Vilify \Vil"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vilified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vilifying}.] [L. vilis vile + -fly; cf. L. vilificare to
esteem of little value.]
1. To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace. [R.]
When themselves they vilified To serve ungoverned
appetite. --Milton.
2. To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to
calumniate. --I. Taylor.
Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the
merit of one rising in the esteem of mankind.
--Addison.
3. To treat as vile; to despise. [Obs.]
I do vilify your censure. --Beau. & Fl.
Vilipend \Vil"i*pend\, v. t. [L. vilipendere; vilis vile +
pendere to weigh, to value: cf. F. vilipender.]
To value lightly; to depreciate; to slight; to despise.
To vilipend the art of portrait painting. --Longfellow.
Vilipendency \Vil"i*pend"en*cy\, n.
Disesteem; slight; disparagement. [R.] --E. Waterhouse.
Vility \Vil"i*ty\, n. [L. vilitas: cf. F. vilet['e], vilit['e],
OF. vilt['e].]
Vileness; baseness. [Obs.] --Kennet.
Vill \Vill\, n. [OF. ville, vile, a village, F. ville a town,
city. See {Villa}.]
A small collection of houses; a village. ``Every manor, town,
or vill.'' --Sir M. Hale.
Not should e'er the crested fowl From thorp or vill his
matins sound for me. --Wordsworth.
Note: A word of various significations in English, law; as, a
manor; a tithing; a town; a township; a parish; a part
of a parish; a village. The original meaning of vill,
in England, seems to have been derived from the Roman
sense of the term villa, a single country residence or
farm; a manor. Later, the term was applied only to a
collection of houses more than two, and hence came to
comprehend towns. Burrill. The statute of Exeter, 14
Edward I., mentions entire-vills, demivills, and
hamlets.
Villa \Vil"la\, n.; pl. {Villas}. [L. villa, LL. also village,
dim. of L. vicus a village: cf. It. & F. villa. See
{Vicinity}, and cf. {Vill}, {Village}, {Villain}.]
A country seat; a country or suburban residence of some
pretensions to elegance. --Dryden. Cowper.
Village \Vil"lage\ (?; 48), n. [F., fr. L. villaticus belonging
to a country house or villa. See {Villa}, and cf.
{Villatic}.]
A small assemblage of houses in the country, less than a town
or city.
{Village cart}, a kind of two-wheeled pleasure carriage
without a top.
Syn: {Village}, {Hamlet}, {Town}, {City}.
Usage: In England, a hamlet denotes a collection of houses,
too small to have a parish church. A village has a
church, but no market. A town has both a market and a
church or churches. A city is, in the legal sense, an
incorporated borough town, which is, or has been, the
place of a bishop's see. In the United States these
distinctions do not hold.
Villager \Vil"la*ger\, n.
An inhabitant of a village.
Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself
a son of Rome Under these hard condition. --Shak.
Villagery \Vil"lage*ry\, n.
Villages; a district of villages. [Obs.] ``The maidens of the
villagery.'' --Shak.
Villain \Vil"lain\, n. [OE. vilein, F. vilain, LL. villanus,
from villa a village, L. villa a farm. See {Villa}.]
1. (Feudal Law) One who holds lands by a base, or servile,
tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest
class, a bondman or servant. [In this sense written also
{villan}, and {villein}.]
If any of my ansectors was a tenant, and a servant,
and held his lands as a villain to his lord, his
posterity also must do so, though accidentally they
become noble. --Jer. Taylor.
Note: Villains were of two sorts; villains regardant, that
is, annexed to the manor (LL. adscripti gleb[ae]); and
villains in gross, that is, annexed to the person of
their lord, and transferable from one to another.
--Blackstone.
2. A baseborn or clownish person; a boor. [R.]
Pour the blood of the villain in one basin, and the
blood of the gentleman in another, what difference
shall there be proved? --Becon.
3. A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and
capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel;
a knave; a rascal; a scamp.
Like a villain with a smiling cheek. --Shak.
Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix.
--Pope.
Villain \Vil"lain\, a. [F. vilain.]
Villainous. [R.] --Shak.
Villain \Vil"lain\, v. t.
To debase; to degrade. [Obs.] --Sir T. More.
Villainous \Vil"lain*ous\, a. [Written also villanous.]
1. Base; vile; mean; depraved; as, a villainous person or
wretch.
2. Proceeding from, or showing, extreme depravity; suited to
a villain; as, a villainous action.
3. Sorry; mean; mischievous; -- in a familiar sense. ``A
villainous trick of thine eye.'' --Shak.
{Villainous judgment} (O. E. Law), a judgment that casts
reproach on the guilty person. --- {Vil"lain*ous*ly}, adv.
{Vil"lain*ous*ness}, n.
Villainy \Vil"lain*y\, n.; pl. {Villainies}. [OE. vilanie, OF.
vilanie, vilainie, vileinie, vilanie, LL. villania. See
{Villain}, n.] [Written also {villany}.]
1. The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous;
extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy
of the seducer. ``Lucre of vilanye.'' --Chaucer.
The commendation is not in his wit, but in his
villainy. --Shak.
2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul
talk. [Archaic]
He never yet not vileinye ne said In all his life,
unto no manner wight. --Chaucer.
In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed
villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men
of coarsest education and employment. --Barrow.
Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul
and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than
deeds. --Trench.
3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.
Such villainies roused Horace into wrath. --Dryden.
That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called
a slave trade. --John Wesley.
Villakin \Vil"la*kin\, n.
A little villa. [R.] --Gay.
Villan \Vil"lan\, n.
A villain. [R.]
Villanage \Vil"lan*age\ (?; 48), n. [OF. villenage, vilenage.
See {Villain}.]
1. (Feudal Law) The state of a villain, or serf; base
servitude; tenure on condition of doing the meanest
services for the lord. [In this sense written also
{villenage}, and {villeinage}.]
I speak even now as if sin were condemned in a
perpetual villanage, never to be manumitted.
--Milton.
Some faint traces of villanage were detected by the
curious so late as the days of the Stuarts.
--Macaulay.
2. Baseness; infamy; villainy. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Villanel \Vil`la*nel"\, n. [See {Villanelle}.]
A ballad. [Obs.] --Cotton.
Villanella \Vil`la*nel"la\, n.; pl. {Villanelle}. [It., a pretty
country girl.] (Mus.)
An old rustic dance, accompanied with singing.
Villanelle \Vil`la*nelle"\, n. [F.]
A poem written in tercets with but two rhymes, the first and
third verse of the first stanza alternating as the third
verse in each successive stanza and forming a couplet at the
close. --E. W. Gosse.
Villanette \Vil`la*nette"\, n. [Dim. of villa; formed on the
analogy of the French.]
A small villa. [R.]
Villanize \Vil"lan*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Villanized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Villanizing}.]
To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to revile. [R.]
Were virtue by descent, a noble name Could never
villanize his father's fame. --Dryden.
Villanizer \Vil"lan*i`zer\, n.
One who villanizes. [R.]
Villanous \Vil"lan*ous\, a. Villanously \Vil"lan*ous*ly\, adv.,
Villanousness \Vil"lan*ous*ness\, n.,
See {Villainous}, etc.
Villany \Vil"lan*y\, n.
See {Villainy}.
Villatic \Vil*lat"ic\, a. [L. villaticus belonging to a country
house. See {Village}.]
Of or pertaining to a farm or a village; rural. ``Tame
villatic fowl.'' --Milton.
Villein \Vil"lein\, n. (Feudal Law)
See {Villain}, 1.
Villenage \Vil"len*age\, n. [See {Villanage}.] (Feudal Law)
Villanage. --Blackstone.
Villenous \Vil"len*ous\, a.
Of or pertaining to a villein.
Villi \Vil"li\, n.,
pl. of {Villus}.
Villiform \Vil"li*form\, a. [Villus + -form.]
Having the form or appearance of villi; like close-set
fibers, either hard or soft; as, the teeth of perch are
villiform.
Villose \Vil*lose"\, a. (Bot.)
See {Villous}.
Villosity \Vil*los"i*ty\, n.
1. State of being villous.
2. (Bot.) A coating of long, slender hairs.
3. (Anat.) A villus.
Villous \Vil"lous\, a. [L. villosus: cf. F. villeux. Cf.
{Velvet}.]
1. Abounding in, or covered with, fine hairs, or a woolly
substance; shaggy with soft hairs; nappy.
2. (Anat.) Furnished or clothed with villi.
Villus \Vil"lus\, n.; pl. {Villi}. [L., shaggy hair, a tuft of
hair.]
1. (Anat.) One of the minute papillary processes on certain
vascular membranes; a villosity; as, villi cover the
lining of the small intestines of many animals and serve
to increase the absorbing surface.
2. pl. (Bot.) Fine hairs on plants, resembling the pile of
velvet.
Vim \Vim\, n. [L., accusative of vis strength.]
Power; force; energy; spirit; activity; vigor. [Colloq.]
Vimen \Vi"men\, n. [L., a twig.] (Bot.)
A long, slender, flexible shoot or branch.
Viminal \Vim"i*nal\ (?; 277), a. [L. viminalis pertaining to
osiers, fr. vimen a pliant twig, osier.]
Of or pertaining to twigs; consisting of twigs; producing
twigs.
Vimineous \Vi*min"e*ous\ (?; 277), a. [L. vimineus, fr. vimen
pliant twig.]
1. Of or pertaining to twigs; made of pliant twigs. ``In the
hive's vimineous dome.'' --Prior.
2. (Bot.) Producing long, slender twigs or shoots.
Vinaceous \Vi*na"ceous\ (?; 277), a. [L. vinaceus. See {Vine}.]
1. Belonging to, or like, wine or grapes.
2. Of the color of wine, especially of red wine.
Vinaigrette \Vin`ai*grette"\, n. [F., fr. vinaigre vinegar.]
1. (Cookery) A sauce, made of vinegar, oil, and other
ingredients, -- used esp. for cold meats.
2. A small perforated box for holding aromatic vinegar
contained in a sponge, or a smelling bottle for smelling
salts; -- called also {vinegarette}.
3. A small, two-wheeled vehicle, like a Bath chair, to be
drawn or pushed by a boy or man. [R.]
Vinagrous \Vin"a*grous\, a. [F. vinaigre vinegar.]
1. Resembling vinegar; sour.
2. Fig.: Unamiable; morose. --Carlyle.
Vinasse \Vi*nasse"\, n. [F.] (Chem.)
The waste liquor remaining in the process of making beet
sugar, -- used in the manufacture of potassium carbonate.
Vinatico \Vi*nat"i*co\, n. [Pg. vinhatico.]
Madeira mahogany; the coarse, dark-colored wood of the Persea
Indica.
Vincentian \Vin*cen"tian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Saint Vincent de Paul, or founded by him.
[R.]
Vincentian \Vin*cen"tian\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) Same as {Lazarist}.
(b) A member of certain charitable sisterhoods.
Vincetoxin \Vin`ce*tox"in\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from the root of the white swallowwort
({Vincetoxicum officinale}, a plant of the Asclepias family)
as a bitter yellow amorphous substance; -- called also
{asclepiadin}, and {cynanchin}.
Vincibility \Vin`ci*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vincible, vincibleness.
Vincible \Vin"ci*ble\, a. [L. vincibilis, fr. vincere to
vanquish, conquer: cf. F. vincible. See {Victor}.]
Capable of being overcome or subdued; conquerable. ``He, not
vincible in spirit . . . drew his sword.'' --Hayward.
``Vincible by human aid.'' --Paley.
{Vincible ignorance} (Theol.), ignorance within the
individual's control and for which, therefore, he is
responsible before God.
Vincibleness \Vin"ci*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vincible.
Vincture \Vinc"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. vinctura, fr. vincire,
vinctum, to bind.]
A binding. [Obs.]
Vinculum \Vin"cu*lum\, n.; pl. L. {Vincula}, E. {Vinculums}.
[L., from vincire, vinctum, to bind.]
1. A bond of union; a tie.
2. (Math.) A straight, horizontal mark placed over two or
more members of a compound quantity, which are to be
subjected to the same operation, as in the expression
x^{2} + y^{2} - vinc{x + y}.
3. (Anat.) A band or bundle of fibers; a fr[ae]num.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A commissure uniting the two main tendons in
the foot of certain birds.
Vindemial \Vin*de"mi*al\, a. [L. vindemialis, fr. vindemia a
vintage. See {Vintage}.]
Of or pertaining to a vintage, or grape harvest. [R.]
Vindemiate \Vin*de"mi*ate\, v. i. [L. vindemiare. See
{Vindemial}.]
To gather the vintage. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Vindemiation \Vin*de`mi*a"tion\, n. [LL. vindemiatio.]
The operation of gathering grapes. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Vindicable \Vin"di*ca*ble\, a.
Capable of being vindicated. -- {Vin`di*ca*bil"i*ty}, n.
Vindicate \Vin"di*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vindicated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vindicating}.] [L. vindicatus, p. p. of
vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge. See {Vengeance}.]
1. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim. [R.]
Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain? The
birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain. --Pope.
2. To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid;
to assert convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to
vindicate a right, claim, or title.
3. To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial,
censure, or objections; to defend; to justify.
When the respondent denies any proposition, the
opponent must directly vindicate . . . that
proposition. --I. Watts.
Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But
vindicate the ways of God to man. --Pope.
4. To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.
--Milton.
5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver. [Obs.]
I am confident he deserves much more That vindicates
his country from a tyrant Than he that saves a
citizen. --Massinger.
6. To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish
infidelity. [Obs.] --Bacon.
God is more powerful to exact subjection and to
vindicate rebellion. --Bp. Pearson.
Syn: To assert; maintain; claim. See {Assert}.
Vindication \Vin`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. vindicatio a laying claim,
defense, vindication. See {Vindicate}.]
1. The act of vindicating, or the state of being vindicated;
defense; justification against denial or censure; as, the
vindication of opinions; his vindication is complete.
Occasion for the vindication of this passage in my
book. --Locke.
2. (Civil Law) The claiming a thing as one's own; the
asserting of a right or title in, or to, a thing.
--Burrill.
Vindicative \Vin"di*ca*tive\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. vindicatif.
Cf. {Vindictive}.]
1. Tending to vindicate; vindicating; as, a vindicative
policy.
2. Revengeful; vindictive. [Obs.]
Vindicative persons live the life of witches, who,
as they are mischievous, so end they infortunate.
--Bacon.
-- {Vin"di*ca*tive*ness}, n.
Vindicator \Vin"di*ca`tor\, n. [LL., an avenger.]
One who vindicates; one who justifies or maintains. --Locke.
Vindicatory \Vin"di*ca*to*ry\, a.
1. Tending or serving to vindicate or justify; justificatory;
vindicative.
2. Inflicting punishment; avenging; punitory.
The afflictions of Job were no vindicatory
punishments to take vengeance of his sins. --Abp.
Bramhall.
Vindictive \Vin*dic"tive\, a. [For vindicative, confused with L.
vindicta revenge, punishment, fr. vindicare to vindicate. Cf.
{Vindicative}.]
1. Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge;
revengeful.
I am vindictive enough to repel force by force.
--Dryden.
2. Punitive. [Obs.]
{Vindictive damages}. (Law) See under {Damage}, n. --
{Vin*dic"tive*ly}, adv. -- {Vin*dic"tive*ness}, n.
Vine \Vine\, n. [F. vigne, L. vinea a vineyard, vine from vineus
of or belonging to wine, vinum wine, grapes. See {Wine}, and
cf. {Vignette}.] (Bot.)
(a) Any woody climbing plant which bears grapes.
(b) Hence, a climbing or trailing plant; the long, slender
stem of any plant that trails on the ground, or climbs
by winding round a fixed object, or by seizing
anything with its tendrils, or claspers; a creeper;
as, the hop vine; the bean vine; the vines of melons,
squashes, pumpkins, and other cucurbitaceous plants.
There shall be no grapes on the vine. --Jer.
viii. 13.
And one went out into the field to gather herbs,
and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild
gourds. --2 Kings iv.
89.
{Vine apple} (Bot.), a small kind of squash. --Roger
Williams.
{Vine beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
beetles which are injurious to the leaves or branches of
the grapevine. Among the more important species are the
grapevine fidia (see {Fidia}), the spotted {Pelidnota}
(see {Rutilian}), the vine fleabeetle ({Graptodera
chalybea}), the rose beetle (see under {Rose}), the vine
weevil, and several species of {Colaspis} and {Anomala}.
{Vine borer}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any one of several species of beetles whose larv[ae]
bore in the wood or pith of the grapevine, especially
{Sinoxylon basilare}, a small species the larva of
which bores in the stems, and {Ampeloglypter
sesostris}, a small reddish brown weevil (called also
{vine weevil}), which produces knotlike galls on the
branches.
(b) A clearwing moth ({[AE]geria polistiformis}), whose
larva bores in the roots of the grapevine and is often
destructive.
{Vine dragon}, an old and fruitless branch of a vine. [Obs.]
--Holland.
{Vine forester} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
moths belonging to {Alypia} and allied genera, whose
larv[ae] feed on the leaves of the grapevine.
{Vine fretter} (Zo["o]l.), a plant louse, esp. the phylloxera
that injuries the grapevine.
{Vine grub} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of insect
larv[ae] that are injurious to the grapevine.
{Vine hopper} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of leaf
hoppers which suck the sap of the grapevine, especially
{Erythroneura vitis}. See Illust. of {Grape hopper}, under
{Grape}.
{Vine inchworm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of any species of
geometrid moths which feed on the leaves of the grapevine,
especially {Cidaria diversilineata}.
{Vine-leaf rooer} (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ({Desmia
maculalis}) whose larva makes a nest by rolling up the
leaves of the grapevine. The moth is brownish black,
spotted with white.
{Vine louse} (Zo["o]l.), the phylloxera.
{Vine mildew} (Bot.), a fungous growth which forms a white,
delicate, cottony layer upon the leaves, young shoots, and
fruit of the vine, causing brown spots upon the green
parts, and finally a hardening and destruction of the
vitality of the surface. The plant has been called {Oidium
Tuckeri}, but is now thought to be the conidia-producing
stage of an {Erysiphe}.
{Vine of Sodom} (Bot.), a plant named in the Bible (--Deut.
xxxii. 32), now thought to be identical with the apple of
Sodom. See {Apple of Sodom}, under {Apple}.
{Vine sawfly} (Zo["o]l.), a small black sawfiy ({Selandria
vitis}) whose larva feeds upon the leaves of the
grapevine. The larv[ae] stand side by side in clusters
while feeding.
{Vine slug} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of the vine sawfly.
{Vine sorrel} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Cissus acida})
related to the grapevine, and having acid leaves. It is
found in Florida and the West Indies.
{Vine sphinx} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of hawk
moths. The larv[ae] feed on grapevine leaves.
{Vine weevil}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Vine borer}
(a) above, and {Wound gall}, under {Wound}.
Vineal \Vi"ne*al\, a. [L. vinealis.]
Of or pertaining to vines; containing vines. [R.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Vine-clad \Vine"-clad`\, a.
Covered with vines.
Vined \Vined\, a.
Having leaves like those of the vine; ornamented with vine
leaves. ``Vined and figured columns.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
Vinedresser \Vine"dress`er\, n.
One who cultivates, prunes, or cares for, grapevines; a
laborer in a vineyard.
The sons of the shall be your plowmen and your
vinedressers. --Isa. lxi. 5.
Vinegar \Vin"e*gar\, n. [OE. vinegre, F. vinaigre; vin wine (L.
vinum) + aigre sour. See {Wine}, and {Eager}, a.]
1. A sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative,
and obtained by the spontaneous (acetous) fermentation, or
by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the
like.
Note: The characteristic sourness of vinegar is due to acetic
acid, of which it contains from three to five per cent.
Wine vinegar contains also tartaric acid, citric acid,
etc.
2. Hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically.
Here's the challenge: . . . I warrant there's
vinegar and pepper in't. --Shak.
{Aromatic vinegar}, strong acetic acid highly flavored with
aromatic substances.
{Mother of vinegar}. See 4th {Mother}.
{Radical vinegar}, acetic acid.
{Thieves' vinegar}. See under {Thief}.
{Vinegar eel} (Zo["o]l.), a minute nematode worm ({Leptodera
oxophila}, or {Anguillula acetiglutinis}), commonly found
in great numbers in vinegar, sour paste, and other
fermenting vegetable substances; -- called also {vinegar
worm}.
{Vinegar lamp} (Chem.), a fanciful name of an apparatus
designed to oxidize alcohol to acetic acid by means of
platinum.
{Vinegar plant}. See 4th {Mother}.
{Vinegar tree} (Bot.), the stag-horn sumac ({Rhus typhina}),
whose acid berries have been used to intensify the
sourness of vinegar.
{Wood vinegar}. See under {Wood}.
Vinegar \Vin"e*gar\, v. t.
To convert into vinegar; to make like vinegar; to render sour
or sharp. [Obs.]
Hoping that he hath vinegared his senses As he was bid.
--B. Jonson.
Vinegarette \Vin`e*gar*ette"\, n.
See {Vinaigrette}, n., 2.
Vinegary \Vin"e*gar*y\, a.
Having the nature of vinegar; sour; unamiable.
Viner \Vin"er\, n.
A vinedresser. [Obs.]
Vinery \Vin"er*y\, n.
1. A vineyard. [Obs.] ``The vinery of Ramer.'' --Fabyan.
2. A structure, usually inclosed with glass, for rearing and
protecting vines; a grapery.
Vinette \Vi*nette"\, n. [Cf. {Vignette}.]
A sprig or branch. [Archaic] --Halliwell.
Vinewed \Vin"ewed\, a.
Same as {Vinnewed}.
Vineyard \Vine"yard\, n. [For OE. winyard, AS. w[=i]ngeard;
influenced by E. vine. See {Wine}, and {Yard} an inclosure.]
An inclosure or yard for grapevines; a plantation of vines
producing grapes.
Vineyardist \Vine"yard*ist\, n.
One who cultivates a vineyard.
Vingt et un \Vingt` et` un"\ [F., twenty and one.]
A game at cards, played by two or more persons. The fortune
of each player depends upon obtaining from the dealer such
cards that the sum of their pips, or spots, is twenty-one, or
a number near to it.
Vingtun \Vingt`un"\, n.
Contraction for {Vingt et un}.
Vinic \Vin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to wine; as, vinic alcohol.
Viniculture \Vin"i*cul`ture\, n. [L. vinum wine + cultura
culture.]
The cultivation of the vine, esp. for making wine;
viticulture.
Vinnewed \Vin"newed\, a. [See {Fenowed}.]
Moldy; musty. [Written also {vinewed}.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
-- {Vin"newed*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Many of Chaucer's words are become, as it were,
vinnewed and hoary with over-long lying. --F. Beaumont.
Vinny \Vin"ny\, a.
Vinnewed. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Vinolency \Vin"o*len*cy\, n. [L. vinolentina. See {Vinolent}.]
Drunkennes. [Obs.]
Vinolent \Vin"o*lent\, a. [L. vinolentus, fr. vinum wine.]
Given to wine; drunken; intemperate. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Vinometer \Vin*om"e*ter\, n. [L. vinum vine + -meter.]
An instrument for determining the strength or purity of wine
by measuring its density.
Vin ordinaire \Vin` or`di`naire"\ [F., lit., common wine.]
A cheap claret, used as a table wine in France.
Vinose \Vi*nose"\, a.
Vinous.
Vinosity \Vi*nos"i*ty\, n. [L. vinositas: cf. F. vinosit['e].]
The quality or state of being vinous.
Vinous \Vi"nous\, a. [L. vinosus, fr. vinum wine: cf. F. vineux.
See {Wine}.]
Of or pertaining to wine; having the qualities of wine; as, a
vinous taste.
Vinquish \Vin"quish\, n. (Far.)
See {Vanquish}, n.
Vintage \Vint"age\ (?; 48), n. [Corrupted by influence of
vintner, vintry, from OE. vindage, vendage, for vendange, OF.
vendenge, F. vendange, from L. vindemia; vinum wine, grapes +
demere to take off; de + emere, originally, to take. See
{Wine}, {Redeem}, and cf. {Vindemial}.]
1. The produce of the vine for one season, in grapes or in
wine; as, the vintage is abundant; the vintage of 1840.
2. The act or time of gathering the crop of grapes, or making
the wine for a season.
{Vintage spring}, a wine fount.
{Vintage time}, the time of gathering grapes and making wine.
--Milton.
Vintager \Vint"a*ger\, n. [From {Vintage}: cf. F. vendangeur.]
One who gathers the vintage.
Vintaging \Vint"a*ging\, n.
The act of gathering the vintage, or crop of grapes.
Vintner \Vint"ner\, n. [OE. vintener, viniter, OF. vinetier,
vinotier, LL. vinetarius, fr. L. vinetum a vineyard, fr.
vinum wine. See {Wine}.]
One who deals in wine; a wine seller, or wine merchant.
Vintry \Vint"ry\, n. [OE. viniterie, from OF. vinotier,
vinetier, wine merchant. See {Vintner}.]
A place where wine is sold. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Viny \Vin"y\, a.
Of or pertaining to vines; producing, or abounding in, vines.
--P. Fletcher.
Vinyl \Vi"nyl\, n. [L. vinum wine + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {C2H3}, regarded as the
characteristic residue of ethylene and that related series of
unsaturated hydrocarbons with which the allyl compounds are
homologous.
Viol \Vi"ol\, n. [F. viole; cf. Pr. viola, viula, Sp., Pg., &
It. viola, LL. vitula; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L.
vitulari to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful,
perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (vitulus; cf.
{Veal}). Cf. {Fiddle}, {Vielle}, 2d {Viola}, {Violin}.]
1. (Mus.) A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of
the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six
strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished
with frets for stopping the strings.
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings Of lute, or
viol still, more apt for mournful things. --Milton.
Note: The name is now applied as a general term to designate
instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass
viol, etc.
2. (Naut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor.
[Written also {voyal}, and {voyal}.] --Totten.
Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [L., a violet. See {Violet}.] (Bot.)
A genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all
kinds of violets.
Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [It. See {Viol}.] (Mus.)
An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but
larger, and a fifth lower in compass.
{Viola da braccio} [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol,
or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is
written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the
{alto}.
{Viola da gamba} [It., viol for the leg], an instrument
resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the
knees. It is now rarely used.
{Viola da spalla} [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument
formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in
size between the viola and the viola da gamba.
{Viola di amore} [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a
viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon,
and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These,
sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a
peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
Violable \Vi"o*la*ble\, a. [L. violabilis: cf. F. violable. See
{Violate}.]
Capable of being violated, broken, or injured. --
{Vi"o*la*bly}, adv.
Violaceous \Vi`o*la"ceous\, a. [L. violaceus, fr. viola a
violet.]
1. Resembling violets in color; bluish purple.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants, of
which the violet is the type. It contains about twenty
genera and two hundred and fifty species.
Violaniline \Vi`o*lan"i*line\, n. [Violet + aniline.] (Chem.)
A dyestuff of the induline group, made from aniline, and used
as a substitute for indigo in dyeing wool and silk a
violet-blue or a gray-blue color.
Violantin \Vi`o*lan"tin\, n. [See {Violuric}.] (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous substance, produced as a yellow
crystalline substance, and regarded as a complex derivative
of barbituric acid.
Violaquercitrin \Vi`o*la*quer"cit*rin\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline glucoside obtained from the pansy
({Viola tricolor}), and decomposing into glucose and
quercitrin.
Violascent \Vi`o*las"cent\, a.
Violescent. [R.]
Violate \Vi"o*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Violates}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Violating}.] [L. violatus, p. p. of violare to
violate, fr. vis strength, force. See {Violent}.]
1. To treat in a violent manner; to abuse.
His wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his
daughters with rape. --Milton.
2. To do violence to, as to anything that should be held
sacred or respected; to profane; to desecrate; to break
forcibly; to trench upon; to infringe.
Violated vows 'Twixt the souls of friend and friend.
--Shak.
Oft have they violated The temple, oft the law, with
foul affronts. --Milton.
3. To disturb; to interrupt. ``Employed, it seems, to violate
sleep.'' --Milton.
4. To commit rape on; to ravish; to outrage.
Syn: To injure; disturb; interrupt; infringe; transgress;
profane; deflour; debauch; dishonor.
Violation \Vi`o*la"tion\, n. [L. violatio: cf. F. violation.]
The act of violating, treating with violence, or injuring;
the state of being violated. Specifically:
(a) Infringement; transgression; nonobservance; as, the
violation of law or positive command, of covenants,
promises, etc. ``The violation of my faith.'' --Shak.
(b) An act of irreverence or desecration; profanation or
contemptuous treatment of sacred things; as, the
violation of a church. --Udall.
(c) Interruption, as of sleep or peace; disturbance.
(d) Ravishment; rape; outrage. --Shak.
Violative \Vi"o*la*tive\, a.
Violating, or tending to violate.
Violator \Vi"o*la`tor\, n. [L.]
One who violates; an infringer; a profaner; a ravisher.
Viole \Vi"ole\, n.
A vial. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Violence \Vi"o*lence\, n. [F., fr. L. violentia. See {Violent}.]
1. The quality or state of being violent; highly excited
action, whether physical or moral; vehemence; impetuosity;
force.
That seal You ask with such a violence, the king,
Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me.
--Shak.
All the elements At least had gone to wrack,
disturbed and torn With the violence of this
conflict. --Milton.
2. Injury done to that which is entitled to respect,
reverence, or observance; profanation; infringement;
unjust force; outrage; assault.
Do violence to do man. --Luke iii.
14.
We can not, without offering violence to all
records, divine and human, deny an universal deluge.
--T. Burnet.
Looking down, he saw The whole earth filled with
violence. --Milton.
3. Ravishment; rape; constupration.
{To do violence on}, to attack; to murder. ``She . . . did
violence on herself.'' --Shak.
{To do violence to}, to outrage; to injure; as, he does
violence to his own opinions.
Syn: Vehemence; outrage; fierceness; eagerness; violation;
infraction; infringement; transgression; oppression.
Violence \Vi"o*lence\, v. t.
To assault; to injure; also, to bring by violence; to compel.
[Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Violent \Vi"o*lent\, a. [F., from L. violentus, from vis
strength, force; probably akin to Gr. ? a muscle, strength.]
1. Moving or acting with physical strength; urged or impelled
with force; excited by strong feeling or passion;
forcible; vehement; impetuous; fierce; furious; severe;
as, a violent blow; the violent attack of a disease.
Float upon a wild and violent sea. --Shak.
A violent cross wind from either coast. --Milton.
2. Acting, characterized, or produced by unjust or improper
force; outrageous; unauthorized; as, a violent attack on
the right of free speech.
To bring forth more violent deeds. --Milton.
Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey's life.
--Shak.
3. Produced or effected by force; not spontaneous; unnatural;
abnormal.
These violent delights have violent ends. --Shak.
No violent state can be perpetual. --T. Burnet.
Ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and
void. --Milton.
{Violent presumption} (Law), presumption of a fact that
arises from proof of circumstances which necessarily
attend such facts.
{Violent profits} (Scots Law), rents or profits of an estate
obtained by a tenant wrongfully holding over after
warning. They are recoverable in a process of removing.
Syn: Fierce; vehement; outrageous; boisterous; turbulent;
impetuous; passionate; severe; extreme.
Violent \Vi"o*lent\, n.
An assailant. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Violent \Vi"o*lent\, v. t. [Cf. F. violenter.]
To urge with violence. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Violent \Vi"o*lent\, v. i.
To be violent; to act violently. [Obs.]
The grief is fine, full, perfect, that I taste, And
violenteth in a sense as strong As that which causeth
it. --Shak.
Violently \Vi"o*lent*ly\, adv.
In a violent manner.
Violescent \Vi`o*les"cent\, a. [L. viola a violet.]
Tending to a violet color; violascent.
Violet \Vi"o*let\, n. [F. violette a violet (cf. violet
violet-colored), dim. of OF. viole a violet, L. viola; akin
to Gr. ?. Cf. {Iodine}.]
1. (Bot.) Any plant or flower of the genus {Viola}, of many
species. The violets are generally low, herbaceous plants,
and the flowers of many of the species are blue, while
others are white or yellow, or of several colors, as the
pansy ({Viola tricolor}).
Note: The cultivated sweet violet is {Viola odorata} of
Europe. The common blue violet of the eastern United
States is {V. cucullata}; the sand, or bird-foot,
violet is {V. pedata}.
2. The color of a violet, or that part of the spectrum
farthest from red. It is the most refrangible part of the
spectrum.
3. In art, a color produced by a combination of red and blue
in equal proportions; a bluish purple color. --Mollett.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small
violet-colored butterflies belonging to {Lyc[ae]na}, or
{Rusticus}, and allied genera.
{Corn violet}. See under {Corn}.
{Dame's violet}. (Bot.) See {Damewort}.
{Dogtooth violet}. (Bot.) See under {Dogtooth}.
{Water violet} (Bot.), an aquatic European herb ({Hottonia
palustris}) with pale purplish flowers and pinnatifid
leaves.
Violet \Vi"o*let\, a. [Cf. F. violet. See {Violet}, n.]
Dark blue, inclining to red; bluish purple; having a color
produced by red and blue combined.
{Violet shell} (Zo["o]l.), any species of Ianthina; -- called
also {violet snail}. See {Ianthina}.
{Violet wood}, a name given to several kinds of hard purplish
or reddish woods, as king wood, myall wood, and the wood
of the {Andira violacea}, a tree of Guiana.
Violet-tip \Vi"o*let-tip"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A very handsome American butterfly ({Polygonia
interrogationis}). Its wings are mottled with various shades
of red and brown and have violet tips.
Violin \Vi`o*lin"\, n. [It. violino, dim. of viola. See {Viol}.]
(Mus.)
A small instrument with four strings, played with a bow; a
fiddle.
Note: The violin is distinguished for the brilliancy and
gayety, as well as the power and variety, of its tones,
and in the orchestra it is the leading and most
important instrument.
Violine \Vi"o*line\, n. (Chem.)
(a) A pale yellow amorphous substance of alkaloidal nature
and emetic properties, said to have been extracted from
the root and foliage of the violet ({Viola}).
(b) Mauve aniline. See under {Mauve}.
Violinist \Vi`o*lin"ist\, n. [Cf. F. violiniste, violoniste, It.
violonista.]
A player on the violin.
Violist \Vi"ol*ist\, n. [Cf. F. violiste.]
A player on the viol.
Violoncellist \Vi`o*lon*cel"list\, n. [Cf. F. violoncelliste,
It. violoncellista.]
A player on the violoncello.
Violoncello \Vi`o*lon*cel"lo\ (?; 277), n. [It. violoncello,
dim. of violone a bass viol. See {Violone}.] (Mus.)
A stringed instrument of music; a bass viol of four strings,
or a bass violin with long, large strings, giving sounds an
octave lower than the viola, or tenor or alto violin.
Violone \Vi`o*lo"ne\, n. [It. violone, augment. of viola a viol.
See {Viol}.] (Mus.)
The largest instrument of the bass-viol kind, having strings
tuned an octave below those of the violoncello; the
contrabasso; -- called also {double bass}. [Written also
{violono}.]
Violous \Vi"o*lous\, a.
Violent. [Obs.] --J. Fletcher.
Violuric \Vi`o*lu"ric\, a. [Violet + barbituric.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitroso
derivative of barbituric acid. It is obtained as a white or
yellow crystalline substance, and forms characteristic
yellow, blue, and violet salts.
Viper \Vi"per\, n. [F. vip[`e]re, L. vipera, probably contr. fr.
vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring forth, because it was
believed to be the only serpent that brings forth living
young. Cf. {Quick}, a., {Parent}, {Viviparous}, {Wivern},
{Weever}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Old World
venomous makes belonging to {Vipera}, {Clotho}, {Daboia},
and other genera of the family {Viperid[ae]}.
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. --Acts xxviii.
3.
Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder
({Pelias berus}), the European asp ({Vipera aspis}),
the African horned viper ({V. cerastes}), and the
Indian viper ({Daboia Russellii}).
2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
Who committed To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy. --Milton.
{Horned viper}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Cerastes}.
{Red viper} (Zo["o]l.), the copperhead.
{Viper fish} (Zo["o]l.), a small, slender, phosphorescent
deep-sea fish ({Chauliodus Sloanii}). It has long ventral
and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp
teeth.
{Viper's bugloss} (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb
({Echium vulgare}) having showy purplish blue flowers. It
is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed
in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called {blue
weed}.
{Viper's grass} (Bot.), a perennial composite herb
({Scorzonera Hispanica}) with narrow, entire leaves, and
solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white,
carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some
other countries. Called also {viper grass}.
Viperina \Vi`per*i"na\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Viperoidea}.
Viperine \Vi"per*ine\ (?; 277), a. [L. viperinus: cf. F.
vip['e]rin.]
Of or pertaining to a viper or vipers; resembling a viper.
{Viperine snake}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any venomous snake of the family {Viperid[ae]}.
(b) A harmless snake resembling a viper in form or color,
esp. {Tropidonotus viperinus}, a small European species
which resembles the viper in color.
Viperish \Vi"per*ish\, a.
Somewhat like a viper; viperous.
Viperoidea \Vi`per*oi"de*a\, Viperoides \Vi`per*oi"des\, n. pl.
[NL. See {Viper}, and {-oid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of serpents which includes the true vipers of the
Old World and the rattlesnakes and moccasin snakes of
America; -- called also {Viperina}.
Viperous \Vi"per*ous\, a.
Having the qualities of a viper; malignant; venomous; as, a
viperous tongue. ``This viperous slander.'' --Shak. --
{Vi"per*ous*ly}, adv.
Viraginian \Vi`ra*gin"i*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to a virago; having the qualities of a
virago. --Milton.
Viraginity \Vi`ra*gin"i*ty\, n.
The qualities or characteristics of a virago.
Virago \Vi*ra"go\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Viragoes}. [L. virago,
-intis, from vir a man. See {Virile}.]
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage; a
woman who has the robust body and masculine mind of a man;
a female warrior.
To arms! to arms! the fierce virago cries. --Pope.
2. Hence, a mannish woman; a bold, turbulent woman; a
termagant; a vixen.
Virago . . . serpent under femininity. --Chaucer.
Vire \Vire\, n. [OF. vire, fr. virer to turn. Cf. {Veer},
{Vireton}.]
An arrow, having a rotary motion, formerly used with the
crossbow. Cf. {Vireton}. --Gower.
Virelay \Vir"e*lay\, n. [F. virelai; virer to turn + lai a song,
a lay.]
An ancient French song, or short poem, wholly in two rhymes,
and composed in short lines, with a refrain.
Of such matter made he many lays, Songs, complains,
roundels, virelayes. --Chaucer.
To which a lady sung a virelay. --Dryden.
Note: ``The virelay admitted only two rhymes, and, after
employing one for some time, the poet was virer, or to
turn, to the other.'' --Nares.
Virent \Vi"rent\, a. [L. virens, p. pr. of virere to be green.]
Green; not withered. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Vireo \Vir"e*o\, n. [L., a species of bird.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of American singing birds
belonging to {Vireo} and allied genera of the family
{Vireonid[ae]}. In many of the species the back is greenish,
or olive-colored. Called also {greenlet}.
Note: In the Eastern United States the most common species
are the white-eyed vireo ({Vireo Noveboracensis}), the
redeyed vireo ({V. olivaceus}), the blue-headed, or
solitary, vireo ({V. solitarius}), the warbling vireo
({V. gilvus}), and the yellow-throated vireo ({V.
flavifrons}). All these are noted for the sweetness of
their songs.
Virescence \Vi*res"cence\, (Bot.)
The act or state of becoming green through the formation of
chlorophyll.
Virescent \Vi*res"cent\, a. [L. virescens, p. pr. of virescere
to grow green, verb incho. fr. virere to be green.]
Beginning to be green; slightly green; greenish.
Vireton \Vir"e*ton\, n. [F. See {Vire}.]
An arrow or bolt for a crossbow having feathers or brass
placed at an angle with the shaft to make it spin in flying.
Virgalieu \Vir"ga*lieu\, n. [Cf. {Virgouleuse}.] (Bot.)
A valuable kind of pear, of an obovate shape and with melting
flesh of delicious flavor; -- more properly called White
Doyenn['e]. [Written also {virgaloo}, {vergalieu},
{vergaloo}, etc.]
Virgate \Vir"gate\, a. [L. virgatus made of twigs, fr. virga a
twig, rod. See {Verge} a rod.] (Bot.)
Having the form of a straight rod; wand-shaped; straight and
slender.
Virgate \Vir"gate\, n. [LL. virgata, virgata terrae, so much
land as virga terrae, a land measure, contains, fr. L. virga
a twig, rod.]
A yardland, or measure of land varying from fifteen to forty
acres. [Obs.] --T. Warton.
Virgated \Vir"ga*ted\, a. [L. virgatus striped. See {Virgate},
a.]
Striped; streaked. [Obs.]
Virge \Virge\, n.
A wand. See {Verge}. [Obs.]
Virger \Vir"ger\, n.
See {Verger}. [Obs.]
Virgilian \Vir*gil"i*an\, a. [L. Virgilianus, better
Vergilianus.]
Of or pertaining to Virgil, the Roman poet; resembling the
style of Virgil. [Spelt also {Vergilian}.]
The rich Virgilian rustic measure Of Lari Maxume.
--Tennyson.
Virgin \Vir"gin\, n. [L. virgo, -inis: cf. OF. virgine, virgene,
virge, vierge, F. vierge.]
1. A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man; a maid.
2. A person of the male sex who has not known sexual
indulgence. [Archaic] --Wyclif.
These are they which were not defiled with women;
for they are virgins. --Rev. xiv. 4.
He his flesh hath overcome; He was a virgin, as he
said. --Gower.
3. (Astron.) See {Virgo}.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of gossamer-winged
butterflies of the family {Lyc[ae]nid[ae]}.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A female insect producing eggs from which young
are hatched, though there has been no fecundation by a
male; a parthenogenetic insect.
{The Virgin}, or {The Blessed Virgin}, the Virgin Mary, the
Mother of our Lord.
{Virgin's bower} (Bot.), a name given to several climbing
plants of the genus {Clematis}, as {C. Vitalba} of Europe,
and {C. Virginiana} of North America.
Virgin \Vir"gin\, a.
1. Being a virgin; chaste; of or pertaining to a virgin;
becoming a virgin; maidenly; modest; indicating modesty;
as, a virgin blush. ``Virgin shame.'' --Cowley.
Innocence and virgin modesty . . . That would be
wooed, and unsought be won. --Milton.
2. Pure; undefiled; unmixed; fresh; new; as, virgin soil;
virgin gold. ``Virgin Dutch.'' --G. W. Cable.
The white cold virgin snow upon my heart. --Shak.
A few ounces of mutton, with a little virgin oil.
--Landor.
3. Not yet pregnant; impregnant. --Milton.
Virgin \Vir"gin\, v. i.
To act the virgin; to be or keep chaste; -- followed by it.
See {It}, 5. [Obs.] ``My true lip hath virgined it e'er since
[that kiss].'' --Shak.
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, a. [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.]
Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly.
``Chastity and honor virginal.'' --Spenser.
{Virginal generation} (Biol.), parthenogenesis.
{Virginal membrane} (Anat.), the hymen.
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, n. [Cf. F. virginale; -- probably so
called from being used by young girls, or virgins.] (Mus.)
An instrument somewhat resembling the spinet, but having a
rectangular form, like the small piano. It had strings and
keys, but only one wire to a note. The instrument was used in
the sixteenth century, but is now wholly obsolete. It was
sometimes called a pair of virginals.
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, v. i.
To play with the fingers, as if on a virginal; to tap or pat.
[Obs.] ``Still virginaling upon his palm!'' --Shak.
Virginhood \Vir"gin*hood\, n.
Virginity; maidenhood.
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n.
One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of
or pertaining to the State of Virginia.
{Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia
Virginica}).
{Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American
woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing
extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also
{woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.]
{Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}.
{Virginia nightingale} (Zo["o]l.), the cardinal bird. See
under {Cardinal}.
{Virginia quail} (Zo["o]l.), the bobwhite.
{Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in
the United States. --Bartlett.
{Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}.
Virginity \Vir*gin"i*ty\, n. [OE. virgintee, F. virginit['e], L.
virginitas.]
1. The quality or state of being a virgin; undefiled purity
or chastity; maidenhood.
2. The unmarried life; celibacy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Virgo \Vir"go\, n. [L. virgo a virgin, the constellation Virgo
in the zodiac. See {Virgin}.] (Astron.)
(a) A sign of the zodiac which the sun enters about the
21st of August, marked thus [[Virgo]] in almanacs.
(b) A constellation of the zodiac, now occupying chiefly
the sign Libra, and containing the bright star Spica.
Virgouleuse \Vir"gou*leuse\, n. [F. virgouleuse, from the
village of Virgoul['e]e, near Limoges.] (Bot.)
An old French variety of pear, of little value.
Virgularian \Vir`gu*la"ri*an\, n. [From. L. virgula a small
rod.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of long, slender Alcyonaria
belonging to {Virgularia} and allied genera of the family
{Virgularid[ae]}. These corals are allied to the sea-pens,
but have a long rodlike rhachis inclosing a slender, round or
square, calcareous axis. The polyps are arranged in
transverse rows or clusters along each side of the rhachis.
Virgulate \Vir"gu*late\, a.
Shaped like a little twig or rod.
Virgule \Vir"gule\, n. [F. virgule, fr. L. virgula, dim. of
virga. See {Verge} a rod.]
A comma. [R.]
In the MSS. of Chaucer, the line is always broken by a
c[ae]sura in the middle, which is pointed by a virgule.
--Hallam.
Virial \Vir"i*al\, n. [L. vis, viris, force.] (Physics)
A certain function relating to a system of forces and their
points of application, -- first used by Clausius in the
investigation of problems in molecular physics.
Virid \Vir"id\, a. [L. viridis green. See {Verdant}.]
Green. [Obs.]
The virid marjoram Her sparkling beauty did but see.
--Crompton.
Viridescence \Vir`i*des"cence\, n.
Quality or state of being viridescent.
Viridescent \Vir`i*des"cent\, a. [L. viridescens, p. pr. of
viridescere to grow green.]
Slightly green; greenish.
Viridine \Vir"i*dine\, n. [L. viridis green.] (Chem.)
A greenish, oily, nitrogenous hydrocarbon, {C12H19N7},
obtained from coal tar, and probably consisting of a mixture
of several metameric compounds which are higher derivatives
of the base pyridine.
Viridite \Vir"i*dite\, n. [L. viridis green.] (Min.)
A greenish chloritic mineral common in certain igneous rocks,
as diabase, as a result of alternation.
Viridity \Vi*rid"i*ty\, n. [L. viriditas, fr. viridis green: cf.
F. viridit['e]. See {Verdant}.]
1. Greenness; verdure; the color of grass and foliage.
2. Freshness; soundness. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Viridness \Vir"id*ness\, n.
Viridity; greenness.
Virile \Vi"rile\ (?; 277), a. [L. virilis, fr. vir a man; akin
to AS. wer: cf. F. viril. See {Werewolf}, {World}, and cf.
{Decemvir}, {Virago}, {Virtue}.]
Having the nature, properties, or qualities, of an adult man;
characteristic of developed manhood; hence, masterful;
forceful; specifically, capable of begetting; -- opposed to
womanly, feminine, and puerile; as, virile age, virile power,
virile organs.
Virility \Vi*ril"i*ty\, n. [L. virilitas: cf. F. virilit['e].]
The quality or state of being virile; developed manhood;
manliness; specif., the power of procreation; as, exhaustion.
``Virility of visage.'' --Holland.
Viripotent \Vi*rip"o*tent\, a. [L. vir man + potens fit for.]
Developed in manhood; hence, able to beget; marriageable.
[Obs.]
Being not of ripe years, not viripotent. --Holinshed.
Virmilion \Vir*mil"ion\, n.
See {Vermilion}. [R.]
Virole \Vi*role"\, n. [F., a ferrule. See {Ferrule}.] (Her.)
A ring surrounding a bugle or hunting horn.
Viroled \Vi*roled"\, a. (Her.)
Furnished with a virole or viroles; -- said of a horn or a
bugle when the rings are of different tincture from the rest
of the horn.
Virose \Vi*rose"\, a. [L. virosus. See {Virus}.]
Having a nauseous odor; fetid; poisonous. [R.]
Virtu \Vir*tu"\ (?; 277), n. [It. virt[`u] virtue, excellence,
from L. virtus. See {Virtue}.]
A love of the fine arts; a taste for curiosities. --J.
Spence.
{An article}, or {piece}, {of virtu}, an object of art or
antiquity; a curiosity, such as those found in museums or
private collections.
I had thoughts, in my chambers to place it in view,
To be shown to my friends as a piece of virt[`u].
--Goldsmith.
Virtual \Vir"tu*al\ (?; 135), a. [Cf. F. virtuel. See {Virtue}.]
1. Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy
without the agency of the material or sensible part;
potential; energizing.
Heat and cold have a virtual transition, without
communication of substance. --Bacon.
Every kind that lives, Fomented by his virtual
power, and warmed. --Milton.
2. Being in essence or effect, not in fact; as, the virtual
presence of a man in his agent or substitute.
A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the
conditions necessary to its actual existence.
--Fleming.
To mask by slight differences in the manners a
virtual identity in the substance. --De Quincey.
{Principle of virtual velocities} (Mech.), the law that when
several forces are in equilibrium, the algebraic sum of
their virtual moments is equal to zero.
{Virtual focus} (Opt.), the point from which rays, having
been rendered divergent by reflection of refraction,
appear to issue; the point at which converging rays would
meet if not reflected or refracted before they reach it.
{Virtual image}. (Optics) See under {Image}.
{Virtual moment} (of a force) (Mech.), the product of the
intensity of the force multiplied by the virtual velocity
of its point of application; -- sometimes called {virtual
work}.
{Virtual velocity} (Mech.), a minute hypothetical
displacement, assumed in analysis to facilitate the
investigation of statical problems. With respect to any
given force of a number of forces holding a material
system in equilibrium, it is the projection, upon the
direction of the force, of a line joining its point of
application with a new position of that point indefinitely
near to the first, to which the point is conceived to have
been moved, without disturbing the equilibrium of the
system, or the connections of its parts with each other.
Strictly speaking, it is not a velocity but a length.
{Virtual work}. (Mech.) See {Virtual moment}, above.
Virtuality \Vir`tu*al"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. virtualit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being virtual.
2. Potentiality; efficacy; potential existence. [Obs.]
In one grain of corn, there lieth dormant a
virtuality of many other. --Sir T.
Browne.
Virtually \Vir"tu*al*ly\, adv.
In a virtual manner; in efficacy or effect only, and not
actually; to all intents and purposes; practically.
Virtuate \Vir"tu*ate\, v. t.
To make efficacious; to give virtue of efficacy. [Obs.]
--Harvey.
Virtue \Vir"tue\ (?; 135), n. [OE. vertu, F. vertu, L. virtus
strength, courage, excellence, virtue, fr. vir a man. See
{Virile}, and cf. {Virtu}.]
1. Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Built too strong For force or virtue ever to expugn.
--Chapman.
2. Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the
production of a given effect; energy; strength; potency;
efficacy; as, the virtue of a medicine.
Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue
had gone out of him, turned him about. --Mark v. 30.
A man was driven to depend for his security against
misunderstanding, upon the pure virtue of his
syntax. --De Quincey.
The virtue of his midnight agony. --Keble.
3. Energy or influence operating without contact of the
material or sensible substance.
She moves the body which she doth possess, Yet no
part toucheth, but by virtue's touch. --Sir. J.
Davies.
4. Excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness; worth.
I made virtue of necessity. --Chaucer.
In the Greek poets, . . . the economy of poems is
better observed than in Terence, who thought the
sole grace and virtue of their fable the sticking in
of sentences. --B. Jonson.
5. Specifically, moral excellence; integrity of character;
purity of soul; performance of duty.
Virtue only makes our bliss below. --Pope.
If there's Power above us, And that there is all
nature cries aloud Through all her works, he must
delight in virtue. --Addison.
6. A particular moral excellence; as, the virtue of
temperance, of charity, etc. ``The very virtue of
compassion.'' --Shak. ``Remember all his virtues.''
--Addison.
7. Specifically: Chastity; purity; especially, the chastity
of women; virginity.
H. I believe the girl has virtue. M. And if she has,
I should be the last man in the world to attempt to
corrupt it. --Goldsmith.
8. pl. One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers.
--Milton.
{Cardinal virtues}. See under {Cardinal}, a.
{In}, or {By}, {virtue of}, through the force of; by
authority of. ``He used to travel through Greece by virtue
of this fable, which procured him reception in all the
towns.'' --Addison. ``This they shall attain, partly in
virtue of the promise made by God, and partly in virtue of
piety.'' --Atterbury.
{Theological virtues}, the three virtues, faith, hope, and
charity. See --1 Cor. xiii. 13.
Virtueless \Vir"tue*less\, a.
Destitute of virtue; without efficacy or operating qualities;
powerless.
Virtueless she wished all herbs and charms. --Fairfax.
Virtuosity \Vir`tu*os"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or state of being a virtuoso; in a bad sense,
the character of one in whom mere artistic feeling or
[ae]sthetic cultivation takes the place of religious
character; sentimentalism.
This famous passage . . . over which the virtuosity
of modern times, rejoicing in evil, has hung so
fondly. --C. Kingsley.
2. Virtuosos, collectively. --Carlyle.
3. An art or study affected by virtuosos.
Virtuoso \Vir`tu*o"so\, n.; pl. {Virtuosos}; It. {Virtuosi}.
[It. See {Virtuous}.]
1. One devoted to virtu; one skilled in the fine arts, in
antiquities, and the like; a collector or ardent admirer
of curiosities, etc.
Virtuoso the Italians call a man who loves the noble
arts, and is a critic in them. --Dryden.
2. (Mus.) A performer on some instrument, as the violin or
the piano, who excels in the technical part of his art; a
brilliant concert player.
Virtuosoship \Vir`tu*o"so*ship\, n.
The condition, pursuits, or occupation of a virtuoso. --Bp.
Hurd.
Virtuous \Vir"tu*ous\ (?; 135), a. [OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos,
vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See {Virtue}, and cf.
{Virtuoso}.]
1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically:
(a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous;
valiant; brave. [Obs.]
Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly
virtuous. --Chapman.
(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative;
efficacious; potent. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Lifting up his virtuous staff on high, He smote
the sea, which calm['e]d was with speed.
--Spenser.
Every virtuous plant and healing herb. --Milton.
(c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality;
upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action.
The virtuous mind that ever walks attended By a
strong siding champion, conscience. --Milton.
2. Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women.
Mistress Ford . . . the virtuous creature, that hath
the jealous fool to her husband. --Shak.
-- {Vir"tu*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vir"tu*ous*ness}, n.
Virulence \Vir"u*lence\, Virulency \Vir"u*len*cy\, n. [Cf. F.
virulence, L. virulentia an offensive odor, a stench.]
1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous;
poisonousness; malignancy.
2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. ``Refuted
without satirical virulency.'' --Barrow.
The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities
and sublimities of the other. --I. Taylor.
Virulent \Vir"u*lent\, a. [L. virulentus, fr. virus poison: cf.
F. virulent. See {Virus}.]
1. Extremely poisonous or venomous; very active in doing
injury.
A contagious disorder rendered more virulent by
uncleanness. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Very bitter in enmity; actuated by a desire to injure;
malignant; as, a virulent invective.
Virulented \Vir"u*lent*ed\, a.
Made virulent; poisoned. [Obs.]
Virulently \Vir"u*lent*ly\, adv.
In a virulent manner.
Virus \Vi"rus\, n. [L., a slimy liquid, a poisonous liquid,
poison, stench; akin to Gr. ? poison, Skr. visha. Cf.
{Wizen}, v. i.]
1. (Med.)
(a) Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers,
the bite of snakes, etc.; -- applied to organic
poisons.
(b) The special contagion, inappreciable to the senses and
acting in exceedingly minute quantities, by which a
disease is introduced into the organism and maintained
there.
Note: The specific virus of diseases is now regarded as a
microscopic living vegetable organism which multiplies
within the body, and, either by its own action or by
the associated development of a chemical poison, causes
the phenomena of the special disease.
2. Fig.: Any morbid corrupting quality in intellectual or
moral conditions; something that poisons the mind or the
soul; as, the virus of obscene books.
Vis \Vis\, n.
1. Force; power.
2. (Law)
(a) Physical force.
(b) Moral power.
{Principle of vis viva} (Mech.), the principle that the
difference between the aggregate work of the accelerating
forces of a system and that of the retarding forces is
equal to one half the vis viva accumulated or lost in the
system while the work is being done.
{Vis impressa} [L.] (Mech.), force exerted, as in moving a
body, or changing the direction of its motion; impressed
force.
{Vis inerti[ae]}. [L.]
(a) The resistance of matter, as when a body at rest is
set in motion, or a body in motion is brought to rest,
or has its motion changed, either in direction or in
velocity.
(b) Inertness; inactivity.
Note: Vis interti[ae] and inertia are not strictly
synonymous. The former implies the resistance itself
which is given, while the latter implies merely the
property by which it is given.
{Vis mortua} [L.] (Mech.), dead force; force doing no active
work, but only producing pressure.
{Vis vit[ae]}, or {Vis vitalis} [L.] (Physiol.), vital force.
{Vis viva} [L.] (Mech.), living force; the force of a body
moving against resistance, or doing work, in distinction
from vis mortua, or dead force; the kinetic energy of a
moving body; the capacity of a moving body to do work by
reason of its being in motion. See {Kinetic energy}, in
the Note under {Energy}. The term vis viva is not usually
understood to include that part of the kinetic energy of
the body which is due to the vibrations of its molecules.
Visa \Vi"sa\, n. [F.]
See {Vis?}.
Visa \Vi"sa\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Visaed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Visaing}.]
To indorse, after examination, with the word vis['e], as a
passport; to vis['e].
Visage \Vis"age\ (?; 48), n. [F. visage, from L. visus a seeing,
a look, fr. videre, visum, to see. See {Vision}.]
The face, countenance, or look of a person or an animal; --
chiefly applied to the human face. --Chaucer. ``A visage of
demand.'' --Shak.
His visage was so marred more than any man. --Isa. lii.
14.
Love and beauty still that visage grace. --Waller.
Visage \Vis"age\ (?; 48), v. t.
To face. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Visaged \Vis"aged\, a.
Having a visage. --Shak.
Visard \Vis"ard\, n.
A mask. See {Visor}.
Visard \Vis"ard\, v. t.
To mask.
Vis-a-vis \Vis`-a-vis"\, n. [F., opposite, face to face.]
1. One who, or that which, is face to face with another;
esp., one who faces another in dancing.
2. A carriage in which two persons sit face to face. Also, a
form of sofa with seats for two persons, so arranged that
the occupants are face to face while sitting on opposite
sides.
Vis-a-vis \Vis`-a-vis"\, adv.
Face to face.
Viscacha \Vis*ca"cha\, Viz-cacha \Viz-ca"cha\, n. [Sp.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large burrowing South American rodent ({Lagostomus
trichodactylus}) allied to the chinchillas, but much larger.
Its fur is soft and rather long, mottled gray above, white or
yellowish white beneath. There is a white band across the
muzzle, and a dark band on each cheek. It inhabits grassy
plains, and is noted for its extensive burrows and for
heaping up miscellaneous articles at the mouth of its
burrows. Called also {biscacha}, {bizcacha}, {vischacha},
{vishatscha}.
Viscera \Vis"ce*ra\, n.,
pl. of {Viscus}.
Visceral \Vis"cer*al\, a. [Cf. F. visc['e]ral, LL. visceralis.]
1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the viscera; splanchnic.
2. Fig.: Having deep sensibility. [R.] --Bp. Reynolds.
{Visceral arches} (Anat.), the bars or ridges between the
visceral clefts.
{Visceral cavity} or {tube} (Anat.), the ventral cavity of a
vertebrate, which contains the alimentary canal, as
distinguished from the dorsal, or cerebro-spinal, canal.
{Visceral clefts} (Anat.), transverse clefts on the sides
just back of the mouth in the vertebrate embryo, which
open into the pharyngeal portion of the alimentary canal,
and correspond to the branchial clefts in adult fishes.
Viscerate \Vis"cer*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Viscerated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Viscerating}.]
To deprive of the viscera, or entrails; to eviscerate; to
disembowel.
Visceroskeletal \Vis`cer*o*skel"e*tal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the framework, or skeleton, or skeleton,
of the viscera; as, the visceroskeletal system of muscles.
--Mivart.
Viscid \Vis"cid\, a. [L. viscidus, fr. viscum the mistletoe,
birdlime made from the berries of the mistletoe; akin to Gr.
?: cf. F. viscide.]
Sticking or adhering, and having a ropy or glutinous
consistency; viscous; glutinous; sticky; tenacious; clammy;
as, turpentine, tar, gums, etc., are more or less viscid.
Viscidity \Vis*cid"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. viscidit['e].]
The quality or state of being viscid; also, that which is
viscid; glutinous concretion; stickiness.
Viscin \Vis"cin\, n. (Chem.)
A clear, viscous, tasteless substance extracted from the
mucilaginous sap of the mistletoe ({Viscum album}), holly,
etc., and constituting an essential ingredient of birdlime.
Viscoidal \Vis*coid"al\, a.
Somewhat viscous. Cf. {Mobile}, a., 2.
Viscosimeter \Vis`co*sim"e*ter\, n. [Viscosity + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the degree of viscosity of
liquids, as solutions of gum.
Viscosity \Vis*cos"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. viscosit['e], LL.
viscositas.]
1. The quality or state of being viscous.
2. (Physics) A quality analogous to that of a viscous fluid,
supposed to be caused by internal friction, especially in
the case of gases.
Viscount \Vis"count`\, n. [OE. vicounte, OF. visconte, vescunte,
F. vicomte, LL. vicecomes; L. vice (see {Vice}, a.) + comes a
companion, LL., a count. See {Count}.]
1. (O. Eng. Law) An officer who formerly supplied the place
of the count, or earl; the sheriff of the county.
2. A nobleman of the fourth rank, next in order below an earl
and next above a baron; also, his degree or title of
nobility. See {Peer}, n., 3. [Eng.] --Chaucer.
Viscountcy \Vis"count`cy\, n.
The dignity or jurisdiction of a viscount. --Sir B. Burke.
Viscountess \Vis"count`ess\, n. [F. vicomtesse, LL.
vicecomitissa.]
The wife of a viscount.
Viscountship \Vis"count`ship\, Viscounty \Vis"count`y\, n. [F.
vicomt['e].]
The quality, rank, or office of a viscount.
Viscous \Vis"cous\, a. [L. viscosus. See {Viscid}.]
Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous
consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a
viscous juice. -- {Vis"cous*ness}, n.
Note: There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between
viscous and viscid.
Viscum \Vis"cum\, n. [L.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of parasitic shrubs, including the
mistletoe of Europe.
2. Birdlime, which is often made from the berries of the
European mistletoe.
Viscus \Vis"cus\, n.; pl. {Viscera}. [L., perhaps akin to E.
viscid.] (Anat.)
One of the organs, as the brain, heart, or stomach, in the
great cavities of the body of an animal; -- especially used
in the plural, and applied to the organs contained in the
abdomen.
Vise \Vise\, n. [F. vis a screw, winding stairs, OF. vis, viz,
fr. L. vitis a vine; probably akin to E. withy.]
An instrument consisting of two jaws, closing by a screw,
lever, cam, or the like, for holding work, as in filing.
[Written also {vice}.]
Vis'e \Vi*s['e]"\, n. [F. vis['e], p. p. of viser to put a visa
to, fr. L. visus seen, p. p. of videre to see.]
An indorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities
of certain countries on the continent of Europe, denoting
that it has been examined, and that the person who bears it
is permitted to proceed on his journey; a visa.
Vis'e \Vi*s['e]"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vis['e]ed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vis['e]ing}.]
To examine and indorse, as a passport; to visa.
Vishnu \Vish"nu\, n. [Skr. Vish?u, from vish to pervade., to
extend through nature.] (Hindu Myth.)
A divinity of the modern Hindu trimurti, or trinity. He is
regarded as the preserver, while Brahma is the creator, and
Siva the destroyer of the creation.
Visibility \Vis`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. visibilitas: cf. F.
visibilit['e].]
The quality or state of being visible.
Visible \Vis"i*ble\, a. [L. visibilis, fr. videre, visum, to
see: cf. F. visible. See {Vision}.]
1. Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen;
perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot
is visible on white paper.
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible
and invisible. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
Virtue made visible in outward grace. --Young.
2. Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous. --Shak.
The factions at court were greater, or more visible,
than before. --Clarendon.
{Visible church} (Theol.), the apparent church of Christ on
earth; the whole body of professed believers in Christ, as
contradistinguished from the invisible, or real, church,
consisting of sanctified persons.
{Visible horizon}. Same as {Apparent horizon}, under
{Apparent}. -- {Vis"i*ble*ness}, n. -- {Vis"i*bly}, adv.
Visigoth \Vis"i*goth\, n. [L. Visegothae, pl. Cf. {West}, and
{Goth}.]
One of the West Goths. See the Note under {Goth}. --
{Vis`i*goth"ic}, a.
Vision \Vi"sion\, n. [OE. visioun, F. vision, fr. L. visio, from
videre, visum, to see: akin to Gr. ? to see, ? I know, and E.
wit. See {Wit}, v., and cf. {Advice}, {Clairvoyant}, {Envy},
{Evident}, {Provide}, {Revise}, {Survey}, {View}, {Visage},
{Visit}.]
1. The act of seeing external objects; actual sight.
Faith here is turned into vision there. --Hammond.
2. (Physiol.) The faculty of seeing; sight; one of the five
senses, by which colors and the physical qualities of
external objects are appreciated as a result of the
stimulating action of light on the sensitive retina, an
expansion of the optic nerve.
3. That which is seen; an object of sight. --Shak.
4. Especially, that which is seen otherwise than by the
ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural,
prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a
specter; as, the visions of Isaiah.
The baseless fabric of this vision. --Shak.
No dreams, but visions strange. --Sir P.
Sidney.
5. Hence, something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy.
--Locke.
{Arc of vision} (Astron.), the arc which measures the least
distance from the sun at which, when the sun is below the
horizon, a star or planet emerging from his rays becomes
visible.
{Beatific vision} (Theol.), the immediate sight of God in
heaven.
{Direct vision} (Opt.), vision when the image of the object
falls directly on the yellow spot (see under {Yellow});
also, vision by means of rays which are not deviated from
their original direction.
{Field of vision}, field of view. See under {Field}.
{Indirect vision} (Opt.), vision when the rays of light from
an object fall upon the peripheral parts of the retina.
{Reflected vision}, or {Refracted vision}, vision by rays
reflected from mirrors, or refracted by lenses or prisms,
respectively.
{Vision purple}. (Physiol.) See {Visual purple}, under
{Visual}.
Vision \Vi"sion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Visioned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Visioning}.]
To see in a vision; to dream.
For them no visioned terrors daunt, Their nights no
fancied specters haunt. --Sir W.
Scott.
Visional \Vi"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vision.
Visionariness \Vi"sion*a*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being visionary.
Visionary \Vi"sion*a*ry\, a. [Cf. F. visionnaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to a visions or visions; characterized
by, appropriate to, or favorable for, visions.
The visionary hour When musing midnight reigns. --Thomson.
2. Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on
the imagination; given to reverie; apt to receive, and act
upon, fancies as if they were realities.
Or lull to rest the visionary maid. --Pope.
3. Existing in imagination only; not real; fanciful;
imaginary; having no solid foundation; as, visionary
prospect; a visionary scheme or project. --Swift.
Syn: Fanciful; fantastic; unreal. See {Fanciful}.
Visionary \Vi"sion*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Visionaries}.
1. One whose imagination is disturbed; one who sees visions
or phantoms.
2. One whose imagination overpowers his reason and controls
his judgment; an unpractical schemer; one who builds
castles in the air; a daydreamer.
Visioned \Vi"sioned\, a.
Having the power of seeing visions; inspired; also, seen in
visions. [R.] --Shelley.
Visionist \Vi"sion*ist\, n.
A visionary.
Visionless \Vi"sion*less\, a.
Destitute of vision; sightless.
Visit \Vis"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Visited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Visiting}.] [F. visiter, L. visitare, fr. visere to go to
see, to visit, fr. videre, visum to see. See {Vision.}]
1. To go or come to see, as for the purpose of friendship,
business, curiosity, etc.; to attend; to call upon; as,
the physician visits his patient.
2. Specifically: To go or come to see for inspection,
examination, correction of abuses, etc.; to examine, to
inspect; as, a bishop visits his diocese; a superintendent
visits persons or works under his charge.
3. (Script.) To come to for the purpose of chastising,
rewarding, comforting; to come upon with reward or
retribution; to appear before or judge; as, to visit in
mercy; to visit one in wrath.
[God] hath visited and redeemed his people. --Like
i. 68.
Visit \Vis"it\, v. i.
To make a visit or visits; to maintain visiting relations; to
practice calling on others.
Visit \Vis"it\, n. [Cf. F. visite. See {Visit}, v. t., and cf.
{Visite}.]
1. The act of visiting, or going to see a person or thing; a
brief stay of business, friendship, ceremony, curiosity,
or the like, usually longer than a call; as, a visit of
civility or respect; a visit to Saratoga; the visit of a
physician.
2. The act of going to view or inspect; an official or formal
inspection; examination; visitation; as, the visit of a
trustee or inspector.
{Right of visit} (Internat. Law), the right of visitation.
See {Visitation}, 4.
Visitable \Vis"it*a*ble\, a.
Liable or subject to be visited or inspected. ``All hospitals
built since the Reformation are visitable by the king or lord
chancellor.'' --Ayliffe.
Visitant \Vis"it*ant\, n. [L. visitans, -antis; p. pr.: cf. F.
visitant.]
One who visits; a guest; a visitor.
When the visitant comes again, he is no more a
stranger. --South.
Visitant \Vis"it*ant\, a.
Visiting. --Wordsworth.
Visitation \Vis`it*a"tion\, n. [L. visitatio: cf. F.
visitation.]
1. The act of visiting, or the state of being visited; access
for inspection or examination.
Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. --Shak.
2. Specifically: The act of a superior or superintending
officer who, in the discharge of his office, visits a
corporation, college, etc., to examine into the manner in
which it is conducted, and see that its laws and
regulations are duly observed and executed; as, the
visitation of a diocese by a bishop.
3. The object of a visit. [Obs.] ``O flowers, . . . my early
visitation and my last.'' --Milton.
4. (Internat. Law) The act of a naval commander who visits,
or enters on board, a vessel belonging to another nation,
for the purpose of ascertaining her character and object,
but without claiming or exercising a right of searching
the vessel. It is, however, usually coupled with the right
of search (see under {Search}), visitation being used for
the purpose of search.
5. Special dispensation; communication of divine favor and
goodness, or, more usually, of divine wrath and vengeance;
retributive calamity; retribution; judgment.
What will ye do in the day of visitation? --Isa. x.
3.
6. (Eccl.) A festival in honor of the visit of the Virgin
Mary to Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist, celebrated
on the second of July.
{The Order of the Visitation of Our Lady} (R. C. Ch.), a
religious community of nuns, founded at Annecy, in Savoy,
in 1610, and in 1808 established in the United States. In
America these nuns are devoted to the education of girls.
Visitatorial \Vis`it*a*to"ri*al\, a. [Cf. LL. visitator a bishop
temporarily put in place of another.]
Of or pertaining to visitation, or a judicial visitor or
superintendent; visitorial.
An archdeacon has visitatorial power. --Ayliffe.
The queen, however, still had over the church a
visitatorial power of vast and undefined extent.
--Macaulay.
Visite \Vi*site"\, n. [F. See {Visit}, n.]
A light cape or short cloak of silk or lace worn by women in
summer.
Visiter \Vis"it*er\, n.
A visitor.
Visiting \Vis"it*ing\,
a. & vb. n. from {Visit}.
{Visiting ant}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Driver ant}, under {Driver}.
{Visiting book}, a book in which a record of visits received,
made, and to be made, is kept. --Thackeray.
{Visiting card}. See under {Card}.
Visitor \Vis"it*or\ [Cf. F. visiteur.] [Written also {visiter}.]
1. One who visits; one who comes or goes to see another, as
in civility or friendship. ``This great flood of
visitors.'' --Shak.
2. A superior, or a person lawfully appointed for the
purpose, who makes formal visits of inspection to a
corporation or an institution. See {Visit}, v. t., 2, and
{Visitation}, n., 2.
The king is the visitor of all lay corporations.
--Blackstone.
Visitorial \Vis`it*o"ri*al\, a.
Same as {Visitatorial}.
Visive \Vi"sive\, a. [Cf. F. visif, LL. visivus. See {Vision}.]
Of or pertaining to the sight; visual. [Obs.]
I can not satisfy myself how men should be so little
surprised about this visive faculty. --Berkeley.
Visne \Visne\ (?; 277), n. [OF. visn['e], veisin['e], visnet,
neighborhood, LL. vicinatus, fr. L. vicunus neighboring, a
neighbor. See {Vicinity}.] (Law)
Neighborhood; vicinity; venue. See {Venue}.
Visnomy \Vis"no*my\, n. [Contr. fr. physiognomy.]
Face; countenance. [Colloq.] --Spenser. Lamb.
Vison \Vi"son\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The mink.
Visor \Vis"or\, n. [OE. visere, F. visi[`e]re, fr. OF. vis. See
{Visage}, {Vision}.] [Written also {visar}, {visard},
{vizard}, and {vizor}.]
1. A part of a helmet, arranged so as to lift or open, and so
show the face. The openings for seeing and breathing are
generally in it.
2. A mask used to disfigure or disguise. ``My very visor
began to assume life.'' --Shak.
My weaker government since, makes you pull off the
visor. --Sir P.
Sidney.
3. The fore piece of a cap, projecting over, and protecting
the eyes.
Visored \Vis"ored\, a.
Wearing a visor; masked.
Visored falsehood and base forgery. --Milton.
Vista \Vis"ta\, n.; pl. {Vistas}. [It., sight, view, fr. vedere,
p. p. visto, veduto, to see, fr. L. videre, visum. See
{View}, {Vision}.]
A view; especially, a view through or between intervening
objects, as trees; a view or prospect through an avenue, or
the like; hence, the trees or other objects that form the
avenue.
The finished garden to the view Its vistas opens, and
its alleys green. --Thomson.
In the groves of their academy, at the end of every
vista, you see nothing but the gallows. --Burke.
The shattered tower which now forms a vista from his
window. --Sir W.
Scott.
Visto \Vis"to\, n.
A vista; a prospect. [R.] --Gay.
Through the long visto of a thousand years. --Young.
Visual \Vis"u*al\, a. [L. visualis, from visus a seeing, sight:
cf. F. visuel. See {Vision}.]
1. Of or pertaining to sight; used in sight; serving as the
instrument of seeing; as, the visual nerve.
The air, Nowhere so clear, sharpened his visual ray.
--Milton.
2. That can be seen; visible. [R.]
{Visual angle}. (Opt.) See under {Angle}.
{Visual cone} (Persp.), a cone whose vertex is at the point
of sight, or the eye.
{Visual plane}, any plane passing through the point of sight.
{Visual point}, the point at which the visual rays unite; the
position of the eye.
{Visual purple} (Physiol.), a photochemical substance, of a
purplish red color, contained in the retina of human eyes
and in the eyes of most animals. It is quickly bleached by
light, passing through the colors, red, orange, and
yellow, and then disappearing. Also called {rhodopsin},
and {vision purple}. See {Optography}.
{Visual ray}, a line from the eye, or point of sight.
{Visual white} (Physiol.), the final product in the action of
light on visual purple. It is reconverted into visual
purple by the regenerating action of the choroidal
epithelium.
{Visual yellow} (Physiol.), a product intermediate between
visual purple and visual white, formed in the
photochemical action of light on visual purple.
Visualize \Vis"u*al*ize\, v. t.
To make visual, or visible; to see in fancy. [Written also
{visualise}.]
No one who has not seen them [glaciers] can possibly
visualize them. --Lubbock.
Vitaille \Vi*taille\, n. [See {Victuals}.]
Food; victuals. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman. Chaucer.
Vital \Vi"tal\, a. [F., fr. L. vitalis, fr. vita life; akin to
vivere to live. See {Vivid}.]
1. Belonging or relating to life, either animal or vegetable;
as, vital energies; vital functions; vital actions.
2. Contributing to life; necessary to, or supporting, life;
as, vital blood.
Do the heavens afford him vital food? --Spenser.
And vital virtue infused, and vital warmth.
--Milton.
3. Containing life; living. ``Spirits that live throughout,
vital in every part.'' --Milton.
4. Being the seat of life; being that on which life depends;
mortal.
The dart flew on, and pierced a vital part. --Pope.
5. Very necessary; highly important; essential.
A competence is vital to content. --Young.
6. Capable of living; in a state to live; viable. [R.]
Pythagoras and Hippocrates . . . affirm the birth of
the seventh month to be vital. --Sir T.
Browne.
{Vital air}, oxygen gas; -- so called because essential to
animal life. [Obs.]
{Vital capacity} (Physiol.), the breathing capacity of the
lungs; -- expressed by the number of cubic inches of air
which can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration.
{Vital force}. (Biol.) See under {Force}. The vital forces,
according to Cope, are nerve force (neurism), growth force
(bathmism), and thought force (phrenism), all under the
direction and control of the vital principle. Apart from
the phenomena of consciousness, vital actions no longer
need to be considered as of a mysterious and unfathomable
character, nor vital force as anything other than a form
of physical energy derived from, and convertible into,
other well-known forces of nature.
{Vital functions} (Physiol.), those functions or actions of
the body on which life is directly dependent, as the
circulation of the blood, digestion, etc.
{Vital principle}, an immaterial force, to which the
functions peculiar to living beings are ascribed.
{Vital statistics}, statistics respecting the duration of
life, and the circumstances affecting its duration.
{Vital tripod}. (Physiol.) See under {Tripod}.
{Vital vessels} (Bot.), a name for latex tubes, now disused.
See {Latex}.
Vital \Vi"tal\, n.
A vital part; one of the vitals. [R.]
Vitalic \Vi*tal"ic\, a.
Pertaining to life; vital. [R.]
Vitalism \Vi"tal*ism\, n. (Biol.)
The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are
due to an unknown vital principle distinct from all chemical
and physical forces.
Vitalist \Vi`tal*ist\, n. (Biol.)
A believer in the theory of vitalism; -- opposed to
physicist.
Vitalistic \Vi`tal*is"tic\, a. (Biol.)
Pertaining to, or involving, vitalism, or the theory of a
special vital principle.
Vitality \Vi*tal"i*ty\ (?; 277), n. [L. vitalitas: cf. F.
vitalit['e].]
The quality or state of being vital; the principle of life;
vital force; animation; as, the vitality of eggs or vegetable
seeds; the vitality of an enterprise.
Vitalization \Vi`tal*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of vitalizing, or infusing the vital
principle.
Vitalize \Vi"tal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vitalized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vitalizing}.] [Cf. F. vitaliser.]
To endow with life, or vitality; to give life to; to make
alive; as, vitalized blood.
Vitally \Vi"tal*ly\, adv.
In a vital manner.
Vitals \Vi"tals\, n. pl.
1. Organs that are necessary for life; more especially, the
heart, lungs, and brain.
2. Fig.: The part essential to the life or health of
anything; as, the vitals of a state. ``The vitals of the
public body.'' --Glanvill.
Vitellary \Vit"el*la*ry\ (?; 277), a. [L. vitellus a little
calf, the yolk of an egg.] (Biol.)
Vitelline.
Vitelligenous \Vit`el*lig"e*nous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Producing yolk, or vitelline substance; -- applied to certain
cells (also called nutritive, or yolk, cells) formed in the
ovaries of many insects, and supposed to supply nutriment to
the developing ova.
Vitellin \Vi*tel"lin\, n. [See {Vitellus}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
An albuminous body, belonging to the class of globulins,
obtained from yolk of egg, of which it is the chief proteid
constituent, and from the seeds of many plants. From the
latter it can be separated in crystalline form.
Vitelline \Vi*tel"line\, a. [L. vitellus the yolk of an egg.]
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to the yolk of eggs; as, the vitelline
membrane, a smooth, transparent membrane surrounding the
vitellus.
Vitellogene \Vi*tel"lo*gene\, n. [See {Vitellus}, and {-gen}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A gland secreting the yolk of the eggs in trematodes,
turbellarians, and some other helminths.
Vitellus \Vi*tel"lus\, n. [L., the yolk of an egg.]
1. (Biol.) The contents or substance of the ovum; egg yolk.
See Illust. of {Ovum}.
2. (Bot.) Perisperm in an early condition.
Vitiate \Vi"ti*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vitiated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vitiating}.] [L. vitiatus, p. p. vitiare to vitiate,
fr. vitium a fault, vice. See {Vice} a fault.] [Written also
{viciate}.]
1. To make vicious, faulty, or imperfect; to render
defective; to injure the substance or qualities of; to
impair; to contaminate; to spoil; as, exaggeration
vitiates a style of writing; sewer gas vitiates the air.
A will vitiated and growth out of love with the
truth disposes the understanding to error and
delusion. --South.
Without care it may be used to vitiate our minds.
--Burke.
This undistinguishing complaisance will vitiate the
taste of readers. --Garth.
2. To cause to fail of effect, either wholly or in part; to
make void; to destroy, as the validity or binding force of
an instrument or transaction; to annul; as, any undue
influence exerted on a jury vitiates their verdict; fraud
vitiates a contract.
Vitiation \Vi`ti*a"tion\, n. [L. vitiatio.]
The act of vitiating, or the state of being vitiated;
depravation; corruption; invalidation; as, the vitiation of
the blood; the vitiation of a contract.
The vitiation that breeds evil acts. --G. Eliot.
Viticulose \Vi*tic"u*lose`\, a. [L. viticula, dim. of vitis
vine.] (Bot.)
Having long and slender trailing stems.
Viticultural \Vit`i*cul"tur*al\ (?; 135), a.
Of or pertaining to viticulture.
Viticulture \Vit"i*cul`ture\, n. [L. vitis vine + E. culture.]
The cultivation of the vine; grape growing.
Viticulturist \Vit`i*cul"tur*ist\, n.
One engaged in viticulture.
Vitiligo \Vit`i*li"go\, n. [L., a kind of tetter, fr. vitium
blemish, vice.] (Med.)
A rare skin disease consisting in the development of smooth,
milk-white spots upon various parts of the body.
Vitilitigate \Vit`i*lit"i*gate\, v. i. [L. vitilitigare to
quarrel disgracefully; vitium vice + litigare to quarrel.]
To contend in law litigiously or cavilously. [Obs.]
Vitilitigation \Vit`i*lit`i*ga"tion\, n.
Cavilous litigation; cavillation. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
Vitiosity \Vi`ti*os"i*ty\, n. [L. vitiositas. See {Vicious}.]
Viciousness; depravity.
The perverseness and vitiosity of man's will. --South.
Vitious \Vi"tious\, a., Vitiously \Vi"tious*ly\, adv.,
Vitiousness \Vi"tious*ness\, n.
See {Vicious}, {Viciously}, {Viciousness}.
Vitis \Vi"tis\, n. [L., a vine.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants including all true grapevines.
Vitoe \Vi"to*e\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Durukuli}.
Vitrella \Vi*trel"la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. vitrum glass.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the transparent lenslike cells in the ocelli of
certain arthropods.
Vitre-o-electic \Vit`re-o-e*lec"tic\, a. [See {Vitreous}, and
{Electric}.] (Physics)
Containing or exhibiting positive, or vitreous, electricity.
Vitreous \Vit"re*ous\, a. [L. vitreous, from vitrum glass;
perhaps akin to videre to see (see {Vision}). Cf. {Varnish}.]
1. Consisting of, or resembling, glass; glassy; as, vitreous
rocks.
2. Of or pertaining to glass; derived from glass; as,
vitreous electricity.
{Vitreous body} (Anat.), the vitreous humor. See the Note
under {Eye}.
{Vitreous electricity} (Elec.), the kind of electricity
excited by rubbing glass with certain substances, as silk;
positive electricity; -- opposed to resinous, or negative,
electricity.
{Vitreous humor}. (Anat.) See the Note under {Eye}.
{Vitreous sponge} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
siliceous sponges having, often fibrous, glassy spicules
which are normally six-rayed; a hexactinellid sponge. See
{Venus's basket}, under {Venus}.
Vitreousness \Vit"re*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vitreous.
Vitrescence \Vi*tres"cence\, n.
The quality or state of being vitreous; glassiness, or the
quality of being vitrescent; capability of conversion into
glass; susceptibility of being formed into glass. --Kirwan.
Vitrescent \Vi*tres"cent\, a. [See {Vitreous}.]
Capable of being formed into glass; tending to become glass.
Vitrescible \Vi*tres"ci*ble\, a. [Cf. F. vitrescible.]
That may be vitrified; vitrifiable.
Vitric \Vit"ric\, a. [L. vitrum glass.]
Having the nature and qualities of glass; glasslike; --
distinguished from ceramic.
Vitrifaction \Vit`ri*fac"tion\, n. [Cf. {Vitrification}.]
The act, art, or process of vitrifying; also, the state of
being vitrified.
Vitrifacture \Vit`ri*fac"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. vitrum glass +
facere, factum, to make.]
The manufacture of glass and glassware.
Vitrifiable \Vit"ri*fi`a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. vitrifiable.]
Capable of being vitrified, or converted into glass by heat
and fusion; as, flint and alkalies are vitrifiable.
Vitrificable \Vi*trif"i*ca*ble\, a.
Vitrifiable. [Obs.]
Vitrificate \Vit"ri*fi*cate\, v. t.
To convert into glass; to vitrify. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Vitrification \Vit`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [See {Vitrify}.]
Same as {Vitrifaction}. --Sir T. Browne. Ure.
Vitrified \Vit"ri*fied\, a.
Converted into glass.
Vitriform \Vit"ri*form\, a. [L. vitrum glass + -form.]
Having the form or appearance of glass; resembling glass;
glasslike.
Vitrify \Vit"ri*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vitrified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vitrifying}.] [F. vitrifier; L. vitrum glass +
-ficare to make. See {Vitreous}, {-fy}.]
To convert into, or cause to resemble, glass or a glassy
substance, by heat and fusion.
Vitrify \Vit"ri*fy\, v. t.
To become glass; to be converted into glass.
Chymists make vessels of animal substances, calcined,
which will not vitrify in the fire. --Arbuthnot.
Vitrina \Vi*tri"na\, n. [NL., fr. L. vitrum glass.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of terrestrial gastropods, having transparent, very
thin, and delicate shells, -- whence the name.
Vitriol \Vit"ri*ol\, n. [F. vitriol; cf. Pr. vitriol, vetriol,
Sp. & Pg. vitriolo, It. vitriuolo; fr. L. vitreolus of glass,
vitreus vitreous. See {Vitreous}.] (Chem.)
(a) A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron,
zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy
appearance or luster.
(b) Sulphuric acid; -- called also {oil of vitriol}. So
called because first made by the distillation of green
vitriol. See {Sulphuric acid}, under {Sulphuric}.
[Colloq.]
{Blue vitriol}. See under {Blue}.
{Green vitriol}, ferrous sulphate; copperas. See under
{Green}.
{Oil of vitriol}, sulphuric or vitriolic acid; -- popularly
so called because it has the consistency of oil.
{Red vitriol}, a native sulphate of cobalt.
{Vitriol of Mars}, ferric sulphate, a white crystalline
substance which dissolves in water, forming a red
solution.
{White vitriol}, zinc sulphate, a white crystalline substance
used in medicine and in dyeing. It is usually obtained by
dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid, or by roasting and
oxidizing certain zinc ores. Formerly called also {vitriol
of zinc}.
Vitriolate \Vit"ri*o*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vitriolated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Vitriolating}.] (Old Chem.)
(a) To convert into, or change to, a vitriol; to make into
sulphuric acid or a sulphate.
(b) To subject to the action of, or impregnate with, vitriol.
Vitriolate \Vit"ri*o*late\, a.
Vitriolated. [R.]
Vitriolate \Vit"ri*o*late\, n. (Old Chem.)
A sulphate.
Vitriolated \Vit"ri*o*la`ted\, a. (Old Chem.)
Changed into a vitriol or a sulphate, or subjected to the
action of sulphuric acid or of a sulphate; as, vitriolated
potash, i. e., potassium sulphate.
Vitriolation \Vit`ri*o*la"tion\, n. (Old Chem.)
The act, process, or result of vitriolating.
Vitriolic \Vit`ri*ol"ic\, a. [Cf. F. vitriolique.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from, or resembling,
vitriol; vitriolous; as, a vitriolic taste. Cf. {Vitriol}.
{Vitriolic acid} (Old Chem.),
(a) sulphuric acid. See {Vitriol}
(b) . [Colloq.]
Vitriolizable \Vit"ri*ol*i`za*ble\, a.
Capable of being converted into a vitriol.
Vitriolization \Vit`ri*ol*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
vitriolisation.] (Old Chem.)
The act of vitriolizing, or the state of being vitriolized;
vitriolation.
Vitriolize \Vit"ri*ol*ize\, v. t. [Cf. F. vitrioliser.]
To convert into a vitriol; to vitriolate.
Vitriolous \Vi*tri"o*lous\, a.
See {Vitriolic}. [Obs.]
Vitrite \Vit"rite\, n. [L. vitrum glass.]
A kind of glass which is very hard and difficult to fuse,
used as an insulator in electrical lamps and other apparatus.
Vitruvian \Vi*tru"vi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Vitruvius, an ancient Roman architect.
{Vitruvian scroll} (Arch.), a name given to a peculiar
pattern of scrollwork, consisting of convolved
undulations. It is used in classical architecture. --Oxf.
Gloss.
Vitta \Vit"ta\, n.; pl. {Vitt[ae]}. [L. vitta ribbon, fillet.]
1. (Bot.) One of the oil tubes in the fruit of umbelliferous
plants.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A band, or stripe, of color.
Vittate \Vit"tate\, a. [L. vittatus bound with a fillet, fr.
vitta fillet.]
1. (Bot.) Bearing or containing vitt[ae].
2. Striped longitudinally.
Vituline \Vit"u*line\ (?; 277), a. [L. vitulinus, fr. vitulus a
calf. See {Veal}.]
Of or pertaining to a calf or veal.
Vituperable \Vi*tu"per*a*ble\, a. [L. vituperabilis: cf. F.
vitup['e]rable.]
Liable to, or deserving, vituperation, or severe censure.
Vituperate \Vi*tu"per*ate\ (?; 277), v. t. [L. vituperatus, p.
p. of vituperare to blame, vituperate; vitium a fault +
parare to prepare. See {Vice} a fault, and {Pare}, v. t.]
To find fault with; to scold; to overwhelm with wordy abuse;
to censure severely or abusively; to rate.
Vituperation \Vi*tu`per*a"tion\, n. [L. vituperatio: cf. OF.
vituperation. See {Vituperate}.]
The act of vituperating; abuse; severe censure; blame.
When a man becomes untractable and inaccessible by
fierceness and pride, then vituperation comes upon him.
--Donne.
Vituperative \Vi*tu"per*a*tive\, a.
Uttering or writing censure; containing, or characterized by,
abuse; scolding; abusive. -- {Vi*tu"per*a*tive*ly}, adv.
Vituperative appellations derived from their real or
supposed ill qualities. --B. Jonson.
Vituperator \Vi*tu"per*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who vituperates, or censures abusively.
Vituperrious \Vi`tu*per"ri*ous\, a.
Worthy of vituperation; shameful; disgraceful. [Obs.]
Vivace \Vi*va"ce\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Brisk; vivacious; with spirit; -- a direction to perform a
passage in a brisk and lively manner.
Vivacious \Vi*va"cious\ (?; 277), a. [L. v['i]vax, -acis, fr.
vivere to live. See {Vivid}.]
1. Having vigorous powers of life; tenacious of life;
long-lived. [Obs.]
Hitherto the English bishops have been vivacious
almost to wonder. . . . But five died for the first
twenty years of her [Queen Elizabeth's] reign.
--Fuller.
The faith of Christianity is far more vivacious than
any mere ravishment of the imagination can ever be.
--I. Taylor.
2. Sprightly in temper or conduct; lively; merry; as, a
vivacious poet. ``Vivacious nonsense.'' --V. Knox.
3. (Bot.) Living through the winter, or from year to year;
perennial. [R.]
Syn: Sprightly; active; animated; sportive; gay; merry;
jocund; light-hearted. -- {Vi*va"cious*ly}, adv. --
{Vi*va"cious*ness}, n.
Vivacity \Vi*vac"i*ty\, n. [L. vivicitas: cf. F. vivacit['e].]
The quality or state of being vivacious. Specifically:
(a) Tenacity of life; vital force; natural vigor. [Obs.]
The vivacity of some of these pensioners is little
less than a miracle, they lived so long. --Fuller.
(b) Life; animation; spiritedness; liveliness; sprightliness;
as, the vivacity of a discourse; a lady of great
vivacity; vivacity of countenance.
Syn: Liveliness; gayety. See {Liveliness}.
Vivandiere \Vi`van`di[`e]re"\, n. [F. See {Viand}.]
In Continental armies, especially in the French army, a woman
accompanying a regiment, who sells provisions and liquor to
the soldiers; a female sutler.
Vivarium \Vi*va"ri*um\, n.; pl. E. {Vivariums}, L. {Vivaria}.
[L., fr. vivarius belonging to living creatures, fr. vivus
alive, living. See {Vivid}.]
A place artificially arranged for keeping or raising living
animals, as a park, a pond, an aquarium, a warren, etc.
Vivary \Vi"va*ry\ (v[imac]"v[.a]*r[y^]), n.; pl. {Vivaries}
(-r[i^]z).
A vivarium. ``That . . . vivary of fowls and beasts.''
--Donne.
Viva voce \Vi"va vo"ce\ (v>imac/"v[.a] v[=o]"s[-e]). [L.]
By word of mouth; orally.
Vivda \Viv"da\ (v[i^]v"d[.a]), n.
See {Vifda}.
Vive \Vive\ (v[=e]v). [F., imperative sing. pres. fr. vivre to
live, L. vivere.]
Long live, that is, success to; as, vive le roi, long live
the king; vive la bagatelle, success to trifles or sport.
Vive \Vive\ (v[imac]v), a. [L. vivus: cf. F. vif. See {Vivid}.]
Lively; animated; forcible. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Vively \Vive"ly\, adv.
In a lively manner. [Obs.]
If I see a thing vively represented on the stage. --B.
Jonson.
Vivency \Vi"ven*cy\, n. [L. vivens, p. pr. of vivere to live.]
Manner of supporting or continuing life or vegetation. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Viverra \Vi*ver"ra\, n. [L., a ferret.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of carnivores which comprises the civets.
Viverrine \Vi*ver"rine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the {Viverrid[ae]}, or Civet family.
Vivers \Vi"vers\, n. pl. [F. vivres, pl. of vivre, orig., to
live.]
Provisions; victuals. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
I 'll join you at three, if the vivers can tarry so
long. --Sir W.
Scott.
Vives \Vives\, n. [OF. vives, F. avives (cf. Sp. abivas, adiva)
fr. Ar. ad-dh[=i]ba. Cf. {Fives} vives.] (Far.)
A disease of brute animals, especially of horses, seated in
the glands under the ear, where a tumor is formed which
sometimes ends in suppuration.
Vivianite \Viv"i*an*ite\, n. [So called by Werner after the
English mineralogist F. G. Vivian.] (Min.)
A hydrous phosphate of iron of a blue to green color, growing
darker on exposure. It occurs in monoclinic crystals, also
fibrous, massive, and earthy.
Vivid \Viv"id\, a. [L. vividus, from vivere to life; akin to
vivus living. See {Quick}, a., and cf. {Revive}, {Viand},
{Victuals}, {Vital}.]
1. True to the life; exhibiting the appearance of life or
freshness; animated; spirited; bright; strong; intense;
as, vivid colors.
In dazzling streaks the vivid lightnings play.
--Cowper.
Arts which present, with all the vivid charms of
painting, the human face and human form divine.
--Bp. Hobart.
2. Forming brilliant images, or painting in lively colors;
lively; sprightly; as, a vivid imagination.
Body is a fit workhouse for sprightly, vivid
faculties to exercise . . . themselves in. --South.
Syn: Clear; lucid; bright; strong; striking; lively; quick;
sprightly; active. -- {Viv"id*ly}, adv. --
{Viv"id*ness}, n.
Vividity \Vi*vid"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vivid; vividness. [R.]
Vivific \Vi*vif"ic\, Vivifical \Vi*vif"ic*al\, a. [L. vivificus:
cf. F. vivifique. See {Vivify}.]
Giving life; reviving; enlivening. [R.]
Vivificate \Vi*vif"i*cate\, v. t. [L. vivificatus, p. p.
vivificare. See {Vivify}.]
1. To give life to; to animate; to revive; to vivify. [R.]
God vivificates and actuates the whole world. --Dr.
H. More.
2. (Chem.) To bring back a metal to the metallic form, as
from an oxide or solution; to reduce. [Obs.]
Vivification \Viv`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. vivificatio: cf.
vivification.]
1. The act of vivifying, or the state of being vivified;
restoration of life; revival. --Bacon.
2. (Physiol.) One of the changes of assimilation, in which
proteid matter which has been transformed, and made a part
of the tissue or tissue cells, is endowed with life, and
thus enabled to manifest the phenomena of irritability,
contractility, etc. --McKendrick.
3. (Chem.) The act or process of vivificating. [Obs.]
Vivificative \Viv"i*fi*ca*tive\, a.
Able or tending to vivify, animate, or give life; vivifying.
Vivify \Viv"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vivified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Vivifying}.] [F. vivifier, L. vivificare. See {Vivid},
{-fy}; cf. {Vivificate}.]
To endue with life; to make to be living; to quicken; to
animate.
Sitting on eggs doth vivify, not nourish. --Bacon.
Vivipara \Vi*vip"a*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Viviparous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An artificial division of vertebrates including those that
produce their young alive; -- opposed to {Ovipara}.
Viviparity \Viv`i*par"i*ty\, n. (Biol.)
The quality or condition of being viviparous. --H. Spencer.
Viviparous \Vi*vip"a*rous\, a. [L. viviparus; vivus alive +
parere to bear, bring forth. Cf. {Viper}.] (Biol.)
Producing young in a living state, as most mammals, or as
those plants the offspring of which are produced alive,
either by bulbs instead of seeds, or by the seeds themselves
germinating on the plant, instead of falling, as they usually
do; -- opposed to {oviparous}.
{Viviparous fish}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Embiotocoid}.
{Viviparous shell} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
operculated fresh-water gastropods belonging to
{Viviparus}, {Melantho}, and allied genera. Their young,
when born, have a well-developed spiral shell.
Viviparously \Vi*vip"a*rous*ly\, adv. (Biol.)
In a viviparous manner.
Viviparousness \Vi*vip"a*rous*ness\, n. (Biol.)
The quality of being viviparous; viviparity.
Vivisect \Viv"i*sect`\, v. t.
To perform vivisection upon; to dissect alive. [Colloq.]
--Pop. Sci. Monthly.
Vivisection \Viv`i*sec"tion\, n. [L. vivus alive + E. section:
cf. F. vivisection. See {Vivid}, and {Section}.]
The dissection of an animal while alive, for the purpose of
making physiological investigations.
Vivisectional \Viv`i*sec"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to vivisection.
Vivisectionist \Viv`i*sec"tion*ist\, n.
One who practices or advocates vivisection; a vivisector.
Vivisector \Viv`i*sec"tor\, n.
A vivisectionist.
Vixen \Vix"en\, n. [AS. fixen a she-fox, for fyxen, fem. of fox.
See {Fox}.]
1. A female fox. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2. A cross, ill-tempered person; -- formerly used of either
sex, now only of a woman. --Barrow.
She was a vixen when she went to school. --Shak.
Vixenish \Vix"en*ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vixen; resembling a vixen.
Vixenly \Vix"en*ly\, a.
Like a vixen; vixenish. --Barrow.
Viz \Viz\, adv. [Contr. fr. videlicet.]
To wit; that is; namely.
Vizard \Viz"ard\, n. [See {Visor}.]
A mask; a visor. [Archaic] ``A grotesque vizard.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
To mislead and betray them under the vizard of law.
--Milton.
Vizarded \Viz"ard*ed\, a.
Wearing a vizard. [R.] --Shak.
Vizcacha \Viz*ca"cha\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Viscacha}.
Vizier \Viz"ier\, n. [Ar. wez[=i]r, waz[=i]r, properly, a bearer
of burdens, a porter, from wazara to bear a burden: cf. F.
vizir, visir. Cf. {Alguazil}.]
A councilor of state; a high executive officer in Turkey and
other Oriental countries. [Written also {visier}, {vizir},
and {vizer}.]
{Grand vizier}, the chief minister of the Turkish empire; --
called also {vizier-azem}.
Vizierate \Viz"ier*ate\, n. [Cf. F. vizirat.]
The office, dignity, or authority of a vizier.
Vizier-azem \Vi*zier`-a*zem"\, n. [Ar. azam great. See
{Vizier}.]
A grand vizier. See under {Vizier}.
Vizierial \Vi*zier"i*al\, a. [Cf. F. vizirial.]
Of, pertaining to, or issued by, a vizier. [Written also
{vizirial}.]
Vizir \Vi*zir"\, n.
See {Vizier}.
Vizor \Viz"or\, n.
See {Visor}.
Vlissmaki \Vliss*ma"ki\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The diadem indris. See {Indris}.
V moth \V" moth`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A common gray European moth ({Halia vauaria}) having a
V-shaped spot of dark brown on each of the fore wings.
Vocable \Vo"ca*ble\, n. [L. vocabulum an appellation,
designation, name, fr. vocare to call, fr. vox, vocis, a
voice, a word: cf. F. vocable. See {Voice}.]
A word; a term; a name; specifically, a word considered as
composed of certain sounds or letters, without regard to its
meaning.
Swamped near to drowning in a tide of ingenious
vocables. --Carlyle.
Vocabulary \Vo*cab"u*la*ry\, n.; pl. {Vocabularies}. [LL.
vocabularium, vocabularius: cf. F. vocabulaire. See
{Vocable}.]
1. A list or collection of words arranged in alphabetical
order and explained; a dictionary or lexicon, either of a
whole language, a single work or author, a branch of
science, or the like; a word-book.
2. A sum or stock of words employed.
His vocabulary seems to have been no larger than was
necessary for the transaction of business.
--Macaulay.
Vocabulist \Vo*cab"u*list\, n. [Cf. F. vocabuliste.]
The writer or maker of a vocabulary; a lexicographer.
Vocal \Vo"cal\, a. [L. vocalis, fr. vox, vocis, voice: cf. F.
vocal. See {Voice}, and cf. {Vowel}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the voice or speech; having voice;
endowed with utterance; full of voice, or voices.
To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade, Made
vocal by my song. --Milton.
2. Uttered or modulated by the voice; oral; as, vocal melody;
vocal prayer. ``Vocal worship.'' --Milton.
3. Of or pertaining to a vowel or voice sound; also, ?poken
with tone, intonation, and resonance; sonant; sonorous; --
said of certain articulate sounds.
4. (Phon.)
(a) Consisting of, or characterized by, voice, or tone
produced in the larynx, which may be modified, either
by resonance, as in the case of the vowels, or by
obstructive action, as in certain consonants, such as
v, l, etc., or by both, as in the nasals m, n, ng;
sonant; intonated; voiced. See {Voice}, and {Vowel},
also Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 199-202.
(b) Of or pertaining to a vowel; having the character of a
vowel; vowel.
{Vocal cords} or {chords}. (Anat.) See {Larynx}, and the Note
under {Voice}, n., 1.
{Vocal fremitus} [L. fremitus a dull roaring or murmuring]
(Med.), the perceptible vibration of the chest wall,
produced by the transmission of the sonorous vibrations
during the act of using the voice.
{Vocal music}, music made by the voice, in distinction from
{instrumental music}; hence, music or tunes set to words,
to be performed by the human voice.
{Vocal tube} (Anat.), the part of the air passages above the
inferior ligaments of the larynx, including the passages
through the nose and mouth.
Vocal \Vo"cal\, n. [Cf. F. vocal, LL. vocalis.]
1. (Phon.) A vocal sound; specifically, a purely vocal
element of speech, unmodified except by resonance; a vowel
or a diphthong; a tonic element; a tonic; -- distinguished
from a subvocal, and a nonvocal.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A man who has a right to vote in certain
elections.
Vocalic \Vo*cal"ic\, a. [L. vocalis (sc. littera) a vowel. See
{Vocal}, a.]
Of or pertaining to vowel sounds; consisting of the vowel
sounds. --Earle.
The Gaelic language being uncommonly vocalic. --Sir W.
Scott.
Vocalism \Vo"cal*ism\, n.
1. The exercise of the vocal organs; vocalization.
2. A vocalic sound. [R.]
Vocalist \Vo"cal*ist\, n. [Cf. F. vocaliste.]
A singer, or vocal musician, as opposed to an
{instrumentalist}.
Vocality \Vo*cal"i*ty\, n. [Cf. L. vocalitas euphony.]
1. The quality or state of being vocal; utterableness;
resonance; as, the vocality of the letters.
2. The quality of being a vowel; vocalic character.
Vocalization \Vo`cal*i*za"tion\, n.
1. The act of vocalizing, or the state of being vocalized.
2. The formation and utterance of vocal sounds.
Vocalize \Vo"cal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vocalized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Vocalizing}.] [Cf. F. vocaliser.]
1. To form into voice; to make vocal or sonant; to give
intonation or resonance to.
It is one thing to give an impulse to breath alone,
another thing to vocalize that breath. --Holder.
2. To practice singing on the vowel sounds.
Vocally \Vo"cal*ly\, adv.
1. In a vocal manner; with voice; orally; with audible sound.
2. In words; verbally; as, to express desires vocally.
Vocalness \Vo"cal*ness\, n.
The quality of being vocal; vocality.
Vocation \Vo*ca"tion\, n. [L. vocatio a bidding, invitation, fr.
vocare to call, fr. vox, vocis, voice: cf. F. vocation. See
{Vocal}.]
1. A call; a summons; a citation; especially, a designation
or appointment to a particular state, business, or
profession.
What can be urged for them who not having the
vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere
wantonness make themselves ridiculous? --Dryden.
2. Destined or appropriate employment; calling; occupation;
trade; business; profession.
He would think his service greatly rewarded, if he
might obtain by that means to live in the sight of
his prince, and yet practice his own chosen
vocation. --Sir. P.
Sidney.
3. (Theol.) A calling by the will of God. Specifically:
(a) The bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a
person or nation, by which that person or nation is
put in the way of salvation; as, the vocation of the
Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles
under the gospel. ``The golden chain of vocation,
election, and justification.'' --Jer. Taylor.
(b) A call to special religious work, as to the ministry.
Every member of the same [the Church], in his
vocation and ministry. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
Vocative \Voc"a*tive\, a. [L. vocativus, fr. vocare to call.]
Of or pertaining to calling; used in calling; specifically
(Gram.), used in address; appellative; -- said of that case
or form of the noun, pronoun, or adjective, in which a person
or thing is addressed; as, Domine, O Lord.
Vocative \Voc"a*tive\, n. [L. vocativus (sc. casus): cf. F.
vocatif.] (Gram.)
The vocative case.
Vociferance \Vo*cif"er*ance\, n.
Vociferation; noise; clamor. [R.] --R. Browning.
Vociferant \Vo*cif"er*ant\, a. [L. vociferans, p. pr.]
Noisy; clamorous. --Gauden. R. Browning.
Vociferate \Vo*cif"er*ate\, v. i. [L. vociferatus, p. p.
vociferari to vociferate; vox, vocis, voice + ferre to bear.
See {Voice}, and {Bear} to carry.]
To cry out with vehemence; to exclaim; to bawl; to clamor.
--Cowper.
Vociferate \Vo*cif"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vociferated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Vociferating}.]
To utter with a loud voice; to shout out.
Though he may vociferate the word liberty. --V. Knox.
Vociferation \Vo*cif`er*a"tion\, n. [L. vociferatio: cf. F.
vocif['e]ration.]
The act of vociferating; violent outcry; vehement utterance
of the voice.
Violent gesture and vociferation naturally shake the
hearts of the ignorant. --Spectator.
Plaintive strains succeeding the vociferations of
emotion or of pain. --Byron.
Vociferator \Vo*cif"er*a`tor\, n.
One who vociferates, or is clamorous. [R.]
Vociferous \Vo*cif"er*ous\, a. [Cf. F. vocif[`e]re.]
Making a loud outcry; clamorous; noisy; as, vociferous
heralds. -- {Vo*cif"er*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vo*cif"er*ous*ness},
n.
Vocule \Voc"ule\, n. [L. vocula, dim. of vox, vocis, voice.]
(Phon.)
A short or weak utterance; a faint or feeble sound, as that
heard on separating the lips in pronouncing p or b. --Rush.
-- {Voc"u*lar}, a.
Vodanium \Vo*da"ni*um\, n. [NL.] (Old Chem.)
A supposed element, afterward found to be a mixture of
several metals, as copper, iron, lead, nickel, etc.
Vodka \Vod"ka\, n. [Russ.]
A Russian drink distilled from rye.
Voe \Voe\, n. [Cf. Icel ver sea, v["o]ar a fenced-in landing
place.]
An inlet, bay, or creek; -- so called in the Orkney and
Shetland Islands. --Jamieson.
Vogle \Vo"gle\, n. (Mining)
Same as {Vugg}.
Vogue \Vogue\, n. [F. vogue a rowing, vogue, fashion, It. voga,
fr. vogare to row, to sail; probably fr. OHG. wag?n to move,
akin to E. way. Cf. {Way}.]
1. The way or fashion of people at any particular time;
temporary mode, custom, or practice; popular reception for
the time; -- used now generally in the phrase in vogue.
One vogue, one vein, One air of thoughts usurps my
brain. --Herbert.
Whatsoever its vogue may be, I still flatter myself
that the parents of the growing generation will be
satisfied with what ?? to be taught to their
children in Westminster, in Eton, or in Winchester.
--Burke.
Use may revive the obsoletest words, And banish
those that now are most in vogue. --Roscommon.
2. Influence; power; sway. [Obs.] --Strype.
Voice \Voice\, n. [OE. vois, voys, OF. vois, voiz, F. voix, L.
vox, vocis, akin to Gr. ? a word, ? a voice, Skr. vac to say,
to speak, G. erw["a]hnen to mention. Cf. {Advocate},
{Advowson}, {Avouch}, {Convoke}, {Epic}, {Vocal}, {Vouch},
{Vowel}.]
1. Sound uttered by the mouth, especially that uttered by
human beings in speech or song; sound thus uttered
considered as possessing some special quality or
character; as, the human voice; a pleasant voice; a low
voice.
He with a manly voice saith his message. --Chaucer.
Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low; an
excellent thing in woman. --Shak.
Thy voice is music. --Shak.
Join thy voice unto the angel choir. --Milton.
2. (Phon.) Sound of the kind or quality heard in speech or
song in the consonants b, v, d, etc., and in the vowels;
sonant, or intonated, utterance; tone; -- distinguished
from mere breath sound as heard in f, s, sh, etc., and
also whisper.
Note: Voice, in this sense, is produced by vibration of the
so-called vocal cords in the larynx (see Illust. of
{Larynx}) which act upon the air, not in the manner of
the strings of a stringed instrument, but as a pair of
membranous tongues, or reeds, which, being continually
forced apart by the outgoing current of breath, and
continually brought together again by their own
elasticity and muscular tension, break the breath
current into a series of puffs, or pulses, sufficiently
rapid to cause the sensation of tone. The power, or
loudness, of such a tone depends on the force of the
separate pulses, and this is determined by the pressure
of the expired air, together with the resistance on the
part of the vocal cords which is continually overcome.
Its pitch depends on the number of a["e]rial pulses
within a given time, that is, on the rapidity of their
succession. See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 5,
146, 155.
3. The tone or sound emitted by anything.
After the fire a still small voice. --1 Kings xix.
12.
Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? --Job xl.
9.
The floods have lifted up their voice. --Ps. xciii.
3.
O Marcus, I am warm'd; my heart Leaps at the
trumpet's voice. --Addison.
4. The faculty or power of utterance; as, to cultivate the
voice.
5. Language; words; speech; expression; signification of
feeling or opinion.
I desire to be present with you now, and to change
my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. --Gal. iv.
20.
My voice is in my sword. --Shak.
Let us call on God in the voice of his church. --Bp.
Fell.
6. Opinion or choice expressed; judgment; a vote.
Sic. How now, my masters! have you chose this man? 1
Cit. He has our voices, sir. --Shak.
Some laws ordain, and some attend the choice Of holy
senates, and elect by voice. --Dryden.
7. Command; precept; -- now chiefly used in scriptural
language.
So shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient
unto the voice of the Lord your God. --Deut. viii.
20.
8. One who speaks; a speaker. ``A potent voice of
Parliament.'' --Tennyson.
9. (Gram.) A particular mode of inflecting or conjugating
verbs, or a particular form of a verb, by means of which
is indicated the relation of the subject of the verb to
the action which the verb expresses.
{Active voice} (Gram.), that form of the verb by which its
subject is represented as the agent or doer of the action
expressed by it.
{Chest voice} (Phon.), a kind of voice of a medium or low
pitch and of a sonorous quality ascribed to resonance in
the chest, or thorax; voice of the thick register. It is
produced by vibration of the vocal cords through their
entire width and thickness, and with convex surfaces
presented to each other.
{Head voice} (Phon.), a kind of voice of high pitch and of a
thin quality ascribed to resonance in the head; voice of
the thin register; falsetto. In producing it, the
vibration of the cords is limited to their thin edges in
the upper part, which are then presented to each other.
{Middle voice} (Gram.), that form of the verb by which its
subject is represented as both the agent, or doer, and the
object of the action, that is, as performing some act to
or upon himself, or for his own advantage.
{Passive voice}. (Gram.) See under {Passive}, a.
{Voice glide} (Pron.), the brief and obscure neutral vowel
sound that sometimes occurs between two consonants in an
unaccented syllable (represented by the apostrophe), as in
able (a"b'l). See {Glide}, n., 2.
{Voice stop}. See {Voiced stop}, under {Voiced}, a.
{With one voice}, unanimously. ``All with one voice . . .
cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.'' --Acts xix.
34.
Voice \Voice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Voiced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Voicing}.]
1. To give utterance or expression to; to utter; to publish;
to announce; to divulge; as, to voice the sentiments of
the nation. ``Rather assume thy right in silence and . . .
then voice it with claims and challenges.'' --Bacon.
It was voiced that the king purposed to put to death
Edward Plantagenet. --Bacon.
2. (Phon.) To utter with sonant or vocal tone; to pronounce
with a narrowed glottis and rapid vibrations of the vocal
cords; to speak above a whisper.
3. To fit for producing the proper sounds; to regulate the
tone of; as, to voice the pipes of an organ.
4. To vote; to elect; to appoint. [Obs.] --Shak.
Voice \Voice\, v. i.
To clamor; to cry out. [Obs.] --South.
Voiced \Voiced\, a.
1. Furnished with a voice; expressed by the voice.
2. (Phon.) Uttered with voice; pronounced with vibrations of
the vocal cords; sonant; -- said of a sound uttered with
the glottis narrowed.
{Voiced stop}, {Voice stop} (Phon.), a stopped consonant made
with tone from the larynx while the mouth organs are
closed at some point; a sonant mute, as b, d, g hard.
Voiceful \Voice"ful\, a.
Having a voice or vocal quality; having a loud voice or many
voices; vocal; sounding.
Beheld the Iliad and the Odyssey Rise to the swelling
of the voiceful sea. --Coleridge.
Voiceless \Voice"less\, a.
1. Having no voice, utterance, or vote; silent; mute; dumb.
I live and die unheard, With a most voiceless
thought, sheathing it as a sword. --Byron.
2. (Phon.) Not sounded with voice; as, a voiceless consonant;
surd.
{Voiceless stop} (Phon.), a consonant made with no audible
sound except in the transition to or from another sound; a
surd mute, as p, t, k. -- {Voice"less*ly}, adv. --
{Voice"less*ness}, n.
Void \Void\, a. [OE. voide, OF. voit, voide, vuit, vuide, F.
vide, fr. (assumed) LL. vocitus, fr. L. vocare, an old form
of vacare to be empty, or a kindred word. Cf. {Vacant},
{Avoid}.]
1. Containing nothing; empty; vacant; not occupied; not
filled.
The earth was without form, and void. --Gen. i. 2.
I 'll get me to a place more void. --Shak.
I 'll chain him in my study, that, at void hours, I
may run over the story of his country. --Massinger.
2. Having no incumbent; unoccupied; -- said of offices and
the like.
Divers great offices that had been long void.
--Camden.
3. Being without; destitute; free; wanting; devoid; as, void
of learning, or of common use. --Milton.
A conscience void of offense toward God. --Acts
xxiv. 16.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor.
--Prov. xi.
12.
4. Not producing any effect; ineffectual; vain.
[My word] shall not return to me void, but it shall
accomplish that which I please. --Isa. lv. 11.
I will make void the counsel of Judah. --Jer. xix.
7.
5. Containing no immaterial quality; destitute of mind or
soul. ``Idol, void and vain.'' --Pope.
6. (Law) Of no legal force or effect, incapable of
confirmation or ratification; null. Cf. {Voidable}, 2.
{Void space} (Physics), a vacuum.
Syn: Empty; vacant; devoid; wanting; unfurnished; unsupplied;
unoccupied.
Void \Void\, n.
An empty space; a vacuum.
Pride, where wit fails, steps in to our defense, And
fills up all the mighty void of sense. --Pope.
Void \Void\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Voided}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Voiding}.] [OF. voidier, vuidier. See {Void}, a.]
1. To remove the contents of; to make or leave vacant or
empty; to quit; to leave; as, to void a table.
Void anon her place. --Chaucer.
If they will fight with us, bid them come down, Or
void the field. --Shak.
2. To throw or send out; to evacuate; to emit; to discharge;
as, to void excrements.
A watchful application of mind in voiding
prejudices. --Barrow.
With shovel, like a fury, voided out The earth and
scattered bones. --J. Webster.
3. To render void; to make to be of no validity or effect; to
vacate; to annul; to nullify.
After they had voided the obligation of the oath he
had taken. --Bp. Burnet.
It was become a practice . . . to void the security
that was at any time given for money so borrowed.
--Clarendon.
Void \Void\, v. i.
To be emitted or evacuated. --Wiseman.
Voidable \Void"a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being voided, or evacuated.
2. (Law) Capable of being avoided, or of being adjudged void,
invalid, and of no force; capable of being either avoided
or confirmed.
If the metropolitan . . . grants letters of
administration, such administration is not, but
voidable by sentence. --Ayliffe.
Note: A voidable contract may be ratified and confirmed; to
render it null and of no effect, it must be avoided; a
void contract can not be ratified.
Voidance \Void"ance\, n.
1. The act of voiding, emptying, ejecting, or evacuating.
2. (Eccl.) A ejection from a benefice.
3. The state of being void; vacancy, as of a benefice which
is without an incumbent.
4. Evasion; subterfuge. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Voided \Void"ed\, a.
1. Emptied; evacuated.
2. Annulled; invalidated.
3. (Her.) Having the inner part cut away, or left vacant, a
narrow border being left at the sides, the tincture of the
field being seen in the vacant space; -- said of a charge.
Voider \Void"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, voids, ?mpties, vacates, or
annuls.
2. A tray, or basket, formerly used to receive or convey that
which is voided or cleared away from a given place;
especially, one for carrying off the remains of a meal, as
fragments of food; sometimes, a basket for containing
household articles, as clothes, etc.
Piers Plowman laid the cloth, and Simplicity brought
in the voider. --Decker.
The cloth whereon the earl dined was taken away, and
the voider, wherein the plate was usually put, was
set upon the cupboard's head. --Hist. of
Richard
Hainam.
3. A servant whose business is to void, or clear away, a
table after a meal. [R.] --Decker.
4. (Her.) One of the ordinaries, much like the flanch, but
less rounded and therefore smaller.
Voiding \Void"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who, or that which, v?ids. --Bp. Hall.
2. That which is voided; that which is ejected or evacuated;
a remnant; a fragment. [R.] --Rowe.
{Voiding knife}, a knife used for gathering up fragments of
food to put them into a voider.
Voiding \Void"ing\, a.
Receiving what is ejected or voided. ``How in our voiding
lobby hast thou stood?'' --Shak.
Voidness \Void"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being void; ?mptiness; vacuity;
nullity; want of substantiality.
Voir dire \Voir dire\ [OF., to say the truth, fr. L. verus true
+ dicere to say.] (Law)
An oath administered to a witness, usually before being sworn
in chief, requiring him to speak the truth, or make true
answers in reference to matters inquired of, to ascertain his
competency to give evidence. --Greenleaf. Ld. Abinger.
Voiture \Voi"ture\, n. [F., fr. L. vectura a carrying,
conveying. Cf. {Vettura}.]
A carriage. --Arbuthnot.
Voivode \Voi"vode\, n.
See {Waywode}. --Longfellow.
Volacious \Vo*la"cious\, a. [L. volare to fly.]
Apt or fit to fly. [R.]
Volador \Vo*la*dor"\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A flying fish of California ({Exoc[oe]tus Californicus}):
-- called also {volator}.
(b) The Atlantic flying gurnard. See under {Flying}.
Volage \Vo*lage"\, a. [F.]
Light; giddy. [Obs.]
They wroughten all their lust volage. --Chaucer.
Volant \Vo"lant\ (?; 277), a. [L. volans, -antis, p. pr. of
volare to fly: cf. F. volant.]
1. Passing through the air upon wings, or as if upon wings;
flying; hence, passing from place to place; current.
English silver now was current, and our gold volant
in the pope's court. --Fuller.
2. Nimble; light and quick; active; rapid. ``His volant
touch.'' --Milton.
3. (Her.) Represented as flying, or having the wings spread;
as, an eagle volant.
{Volant piece} (Anc. Armor), an adjustable piece of armor,
for guarding the throat, etc., in a joust.
Volante \Vo*lan"te\, n. [Sp., prop., flying.]
A cumbrous two-wheeled pleasure carriage used in Cuba.
Volapuk \Vol`a*p["u]k"\, n.
Literally, world's speech; the name of an artificial language
invented by Johan Martin Schleyer, of Constance, Switzerland,
about 1879.
Volapukist \Vol`a*p["u]k"ist\, n.
One who is conversant with, or who favors adoption of,
Volap["u]k.
Volar \Vo"lar\, a. [L. vola the palm of the hand, the sole of
the foot.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the palm of the hand or the sole of the
foot.
Volary \Vol"a*ry\, n.
See {Volery}. [Obs.]
Volatile \Vol"a*tile\, a. [F. volatil, L. volatilis, fr. volare
to fly, perhaps akin to velox swift, E. velocity. Cf.
{Volley}.]
1. Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force
of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.]
2. Capable of wasting away, or of easily passing into the
a["e]riform state; subject to evaporation.
Note: Substances which affect the smell with pungent or
fragrant odors, as musk, hartshorn, and essential oils,
are called volatile substances, because they waste away
on exposure to the atmosphere. Alcohol and ether are
called volatile liquids for a similar reason, and
because they easily pass into the state of vapor on the
application of heat. On the contrary, gold is a fixed
substance, because it does not suffer waste, even when
exposed to the heat of a furnace; and oils are called
fixed when they do not evaporate on simple exposure to
the atmosphere.
3. Fig.: Light-hearted; easily affected by circumstances;
airy; lively; hence, changeable; fickle; as, a volatile
temper.
You are as giddy and volatile as ever. --Swift.
{Volatile alkali}. (Old Chem.) See under {Alkali}.
{Volatile liniment}, a liniment composed of sweet oil and
ammonia, so called from the readiness with which the
latter evaporates.
{Volatile oils}. (Chem.) See {Essential oils}, under
{Essential}.
Volatile \Vol"a*tile\, n. [Cf. F. volatile.]
A winged animal; wild fowl; game. [Obs.] --Chaucer. --Sir T.
Browne.
Volatileness \Vol"a*tile*ness\, Volatility \Vol`a*til"i*ty\, n.
[Cf. F. volatilit['e].]
Quality or state of being volatile; disposition to evaporate;
changeableness; fickleness.
Syn: See {Levity}.
Volatilizable \Vol"a*til*i`za*ble\, a. [Cf. F. volatisable.]
Capable of being volatilized.
Volatilization \Vol`a*til*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
volatilisation.]
The act or process of volatilizing, or rendering volatile;
the state of being volatilized.
Volatilize \Vol"a*til*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Volatilized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Volatilizing}.] [Cf. F. volatiliser.]
To render volatile; to cause to exhale or evaporate; to cause
to pass off in vapor.
The water . . . dissolving the oil, and volatilizing it
by the action. --Sir I.
Newton.
Volator \Vo*la"tor\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Volador}, 1.
Vol-au-vent \Vol`-au`-vent"\, n. [F.] (Cookery)
A light puff paste, with a raised border, filled, after
baking, usually with a ragout of fowl, game, or fish.
Volborthite \Vol"borth*ite\, n. [So named after Volborth, who
first discovered it.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in small six-sided tabular crystals of a
green or yellow color. It is a hydrous vanadate of copper and
lime.
Volcanian \Vol*ca"ni*an\, a.
Volcanic. [R.] --Keats.
Volcanic \Vol*can"ic\, a. [Cf. F. volcanique, It. vulcanico.]
1. Of or pertaining to a volcano or volcanoes; as, volcanic
heat.
2. Produced by a volcano, or, more generally, by igneous
agencies; as, volcanic tufa.
3. Changed or affected by the heat of a volcano.
{Volcanic bomb}, a mass ejected from a volcano, often of
molten lava having a rounded form.
{Volcanic cone}, a hill, conical in form, built up of
cinders, tufa, or lava, during volcanic eruptions.
{Volcanic foci}, the subterranean centers of volcanic action;
the points beneath volcanoes where the causes producing
volcanic phenomena are most active.
{Volcanic glass}, the vitreous form of lava, produced by
sudden cooling; obsidian. See {Obsidian}.
{Volcanic mud}, fetid, sulphurous mud discharged by a
volcano.
{Volcanic rocks}, rocks which have been produced from the
discharges of volcanic matter, as the various kinds of
basalt, trachyte, scoria, obsidian, etc., whether compact,
scoriaceous, or vitreous.
Volcanically \Vol*can"ic*al*ly\, adv.
Like a volcano.
Volcanicity \Vol`can*ic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. volcanicit['e].]
Quality or state of being volcanic; volcanic power.
Volcanism \Vol"can*ism\, n.
Volcanic power or action; volcanicity.
Volcanist \Vol"can*ist\, n. [Cf. F. volcaniste, vulcaniste.]
1. One versed in the history and phenomena of volcanoes.
2. One who believes in the igneous, as opposed to the
aqueous, origin of the rocks of the earth's crust; a
vulcanist. Cf. {Neptunist}.
Volcanity \Vol*can"i*ty\, n. [See {Volcanic}, and
{Volcanicity}.]
The quality or state of being volcanic, or volcanic origin;
volcanicity. [R.]
Volcanization \Vol`can*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of volcanizing, or the state of being volcanized; the
process of undergoing volcanic heat, and being affected by
it.
Volcanize \Vol"can*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Volcanized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Volcanizing}.] [Cf. {Vulcanize}.]
To subject to, or cause to undergo, volcanic heat, and to be
affected by its action.
Volcano \Vol*ca"no\, n.; pl. {Volcanoes}. [It. volcano, vulcano,
fr. L. Vulcanus Vulkan, the god of fire. See {Vulkan}.]
(Geol.)
A mountain or hill, usually more or less conical in form,
from which lava, cinders, steam, sulphur gases, and the like,
are ejected; -- often popularly called a {burning mountain}.
Note: Volcanoes include many of the most conspicuous and
lofty mountains of the earth, as Mt. Vesuvius in Italy
(4,000 ft. high), Mt. Loa in Hawaii (14,000 ft.),
Cotopaxi in South America (nearly 20,000 ft.), which
are examples of active volcanoes. The crater of a
volcano is usually a pit-shaped cavity, often of great
size. The summit crater of Mt. Loa has a maximum length
of 13,000 ft., and a depth of nearly 800 feet. Beside
the chief crater, a volcano may have a number of
subordinate craters.
Vole \Vole\, n. [F.]
A deal at cards that draws all the tricks. --Swift.
Vole \Vole\, v. i. (Card Playing)
To win all the tricks by a vole. --Pope.
Vole \Vole\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of micelike rodents belonging to
{Arvicola} and allied genera of the subfamily
{Arvicolin[ae]}. They have a thick head, short ears, and a
short hairy tail.
Note: The water vole, or water rat, of Europe ({Arvicola
amphibius}) is a common large aquatic species. The
short-tailed field vole ({A. agrestis}) of Northern and
Central Europe, and Asia, the Southern field vole ({A.
arvalis}), and the Siberian root vole ({A.
[oe]conomus}), are important European species. The
common species of the Eastern United States ({A.
riparius}) (called also {meadow mouse}) and the prairie
mouse ({A. austerus}) are abundant, and often injurious
to vegetation. Other species are found in Canada.
Volery \Vol"er*y\, n. [F. volerie a flying, voli[`e]re a large
bird cage, fr. voler to fly, L. volare. See {Volatile}.]
1. A flight of birds. [R.] --Locke.
2. A large bird cage; an aviary.
Volge \Volge\, n. [L. vulgus.]
The common sort of people; the crowd; the mob. [Obs.]
--Fuller.
Volitable \Vol"i*ta*ble\, a.
Volatilizable. [Obs.]
Volitation \Vol`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. volitare, volitatum, to fly
to and fro, v. freq. from volare to fly.]
The act of flying; flight. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Volitient \Vo*li"tient\, a. [See {Volition}.]
Exercising the will; acting from choice; willing, or having
power to will. ``What I do, I do volitient, not obedient.''
--Mrs. Browning.
Volition \Vo*li"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. volo I will, velle to
will, be willing. See {Voluntary}.]
1. The act of willing or choosing; the act of forming a
purpose; the exercise of the will.
Volition is the actual exercise of the power the
mind has to order the consideration of any idea, or
the forbearing to consider it. --Locke.
Volition is an act of the mind, knowingly exerting
that dominion it takes itself to have over any part
of the man, by employing it in, or withholding it
from, any particular action. --Locke.
2. The result of an act or exercise of choosing or willing; a
state of choice.
3. The power of willing or determining; will.
Syn: Will; choice; preference; determination; purpose.
Usage: {Volition}, {Choice}. Choice is the familiar, and
volition the scientific, term for the same state of
the will; viz., an ``elective preference.'' When we
have ``made up our minds'' (as we say) to a thing, i.
e., have a settled state of choice respecting it, that
state is called an immanent volition; when we put
forth any particular act of choice, that act is called
an emanent, or executive, or imperative, volition.
When an immanent, or settled state of, choice, is one
which controls or governs a series of actions, we call
that state a predominant volition; while we give the
name of subordinate volitions to those particular acts
of choice which carry into effect the object sought
for by the governing or ``predominant volition.'' See
{Will}.
Volitional \Vo*li"tion*al\, a.
Belonging or relating to volition. ``The volitional
impulse.'' --Bacon.
Volitive \Vol"i*tive\, a. [See {Volition}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the will; originating in the will;
having the power to will. ``They not only perfect the
intellectual faculty, but the volitive.'' --Sir M. Hale.
2. (Gram.) Used in expressing a wish or permission as,
volitive proposition.
Volkslied \Volks"lied\, n.; pl. {Volkslieder}. [G.] (Mus.)
A popular song, or national air.
Volley \Vol"ley\, n.; pl. {Volleys}. [F. vol['e]e; flight, a
volley, or discharge of several guns, fr. voler to fly, L.
volare. See {Volatile}.]
1. A flight of missiles, as arrows, bullets, or the like; the
simultaneous discharge of a number of small arms.
Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew. --Milton.
Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe.
--Byron.
2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley
of words. ``This volley of oaths.'' --B. Jonson.
Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. --Pope.
3.
(a) (Tennis) A return of the ball before it touches the
ground.
(b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball full to the top of the
wicket.
{Half volley}.
(a) (Tennis) A return of the ball immediately after is has
touched the ground.
(b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball so that after touching
the ground it flies towards the top of the wicket.
--R. A. Proctor.
{On the volley}, at random. [Obs.] ``What we spake on the
volley begins work.'' --Massinger.
{Volley gun}, a gun with several barrels for firing a number
of shots simultaneously; a kind of mitrailleuse.
Volley \Vol"ley\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Volleyed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Volleying}.]
To discharge with, or as with, a volley.
Volley \Vol"ley\, v. i.
1. To be thrown out, or discharged, at once; to be discharged
in a volley, or as if in a volley; to make a volley or
volleys. --Tennyson.
2.
(a) (Tennis) To return the ball before it touches the
ground.
(b)
(Cricket) To send the ball full to the top of the wicket.
--R. A. Proctor.
Volleyed \Vol"leyed\, a.
Discharged with a sudden burst, or as if in a volley; as,
volleyed thunder.
Volow \Vol"ow\, v. t. [From the answer, Volo I will, in the
baptismal service. --Richardson (Dict.).]
To baptize; -- used in contempt by the Reformers. [Obs.]
--Tyndale.
Volt \Volt\, n. [F. volte; cf. It. volta. See {Vault}.]
1. (Man.) A circular tread; a gait by which a horse going
sideways round a center makes two concentric tracks.
2. (Fencing) A sudden movement to avoid a thrust.
Volt \Volt\, n. [After Alessandro Volta, the Italian
electrician.] (Elec.)
The unit of electro-motive force; -- defined by the
International Electrical Congress in 1893 and by United
States Statute as, that electro-motive force which steadily
applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm will
produce a current of one amp[`e]re. It is practically
equivalent to 1000/1434 the electro-motive force of a
standard Clark's cell at a temperature of 15[deg] C.
Volta \Vol"ta\, n.; pl. {Volte}. [It. volta a turn, turning, a
time. See {Volt} a tread.] (Mus.)
A turning; a time; -- chiefly used in phrases signifying that
the part is to be repeated one, two, or more times; as, una
volta, once. Seconda volta, second time, points to certain
modifications in the close of a repeated strain.
Volta-electric \Vol"ta-e*lec"tric\, a.
Of or pertaining to voltaic electricity, or voltaism.
Volta-electrometer \Vol`ta-e`lec*trom"e*ter\, n.
An instrument for the exact measurement of electric currents.
Voltage \Vol"tage\, n. (Elec.)
Electric potential or potential difference, expressed in
volts.
Voltagraphy \Vol*tag"ra*phy\, n. [Voltaic + -graphy.]
In electrotypy, the act or art of copying, in metals
deposited by electrolytic action, a form or pattern which is
made the negative electrode. [R.]
Voltaic \Vol*ta"ic\, a. [Cf. F. volta["i]que, It. voltaico.]
1. Of or pertaining to Alessandro Volta, who first devised
apparatus for developing electric currents by chemical
action, and established this branch of electric science;
discovered by Volta; as, voltaic electricity.
2. Of or pertaining to voltaism, or voltaic electricity; as,
voltaic induction; the voltaic arc.
Note: See the Note under {Galvanism}.
{Voltaic arc}, a luminous arc, of intense brilliancy, formed
between carbon points as electrodes by the passage of a
powerful voltaic current.
{Voltaic battery}, an apparatus variously constructed,
consisting of a series of plates or pieces of dissimilar
metals, as copper and zinc, arranged in pairs, and
subjected to the action of a saline or acid solution, by
which a current of electricity is generated whenever the
two poles, or ends of the series, are connected by a
conductor; a galvanic battery. See {Battery}, 4.
(b), and Note.
{Voltaic circuit}. See under {Circuit}.
{Voltaic couple} or {element}, a single pair of the connected
plates of a battery.
{Voltaic electricity}. See the Note under {Electricity}.
{Voltaic pile}, a kind of voltaic battery consisting of
alternate disks of dissimilar metals, separated by
moistened cloth or paper. See 5th {Pile}.
{Voltaic protection of metals}, the protection of a metal
exposed to the corrosive action of sea water, saline or
acid liquids, or the like, by associating it with a metal
which is positive to it, as when iron is galvanized, or
coated with zinc.
Voltairean \Vol*tair"e*an\, a. [Cf. F. voltairien.]
Of or relating to Voltaire, the French author. --J. Morley.
Voltairism \Vol*tair"ism\, n.
The theories or practice of Voltaire. --J. Morley.
Voltaism \Vol"ta*ism\, n. [Cf. F. volta["i]sme.] (Physics)
That form of electricity which is developed by the chemical
action between metals and different liquids; voltaic
electricity; also, the science which treats of this form of
electricity; -- called also {galvanism}, from Galvani, on
account of his experiments showing the remarkable influence
of this agent on animals.
Voltameter \Vol*tam"e*ter\, n. [Voltaic + -meter.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the voltaic electricity passing
through it, by its effect in decomposing water or some other
chemical compound acting as an electrolyte.
Voltaplast \Vol"ta*plast\, n. [Voltaic + Gr. ? molded.]
A form of voltaic, or galvanic, battery suitable for use
electrotyping. --G. Francis.
Voltatype \Vol"ta*type\, n. [Voltaic + type.]
An electrotype. [R.]
Volti \Vol"ti\, imperative. [It., fr. voltare to turn. See
{Volt} a tread.] (Mus.)
Turn, that is, turn over the leaf.
{Volti subito} [It.] (Mus.), turn over quickly.
Voltigeur \Vol`ti*geur\, n. [F., fr. voltiger to vault, It.
volteggiare. See {Volt} a tread.]
1. A tumbler; a leaper or vaulter.
2. (Mil.) One of a picked company of irregular riflemen in
each regiment of the French infantry.
Voltmeter \Volt"me`ter\, n. [2d volt + -meter.] (elec.)
An instrument for measuring in volts the differences of
potential between different points of an electrical circuit.
Voltzite \Voltz"ite\, n. [So named in honor of Voltz, a French
engineer.] (Min.)
An oxysulphide of lead occurring in implanted spherical
globules of a yellowish or brownish color; -- called also
{voltzine}.
Volubilate \Vo*lu"bi*late\, Volubile \Vol"u*bile\], a. [See
{Voluble}.]
Turning, or whirling; winding; twining; voluble.
Volubility \Vol`u*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. volubilitas: cf. F.
volubilit['e].]
The quality or state of being voluble (in any of the senses
of the adjective).
Voluble \Vol"u*ble\, a. [L. volubilis, fr. volvere, volutum, to
roll, to turn round; akin to Gr. ? to infold, to inwrap, ? to
roll, G. welle a wave: cf. F. voluble. Cf. F. {Well} of
water, {Convolvulus}, {Devolve}, {Involve}, {Revolt}, {Vault}
an arch, {Volume}, {Volute}.]
1. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; apt to
roll; rotating; as, voluble particles of matter.
2. Moving with ease and smoothness in uttering words; of
rapid speech; nimble in speaking; glib; as, a flippant,
voluble, tongue.
[Cassio,] a knave very voluble. --Shak.
Note: Voluble was used formerly to indicate readiness of
speech merely, without any derogatory suggestion. ``A
grave and voluble eloquence.'' --Bp. Hacket.
3. Changeable; unstable; fickle. [Obs.]
4. (Bot.) Having the power or habit of turning or twining;
as, the voluble stem of hop plants.
{Voluble stem} (Bot.), a stem that climbs by winding, or
twining, round another body. -- {Vol"u*ble*ness}, n. --
{Vol"u*bly}, adv.
Volume \Vol"ume\, n. [F., from L. volumen a roll of writing, a
book, volume, from volvere, volutum, to roll. See {Voluble}.]
1. A roll; a scroll; a written document rolled up for keeping
or for use, after the manner of the ancients. [Obs.]
The papyrus, and afterward the parchment, was joined
together [by the ancients] to form one sheet, and
then rolled upon a staff into a volume (volumen).
--Encyc. Brit.
2. Hence, a collection of printed sheets bound together,
whether containing a single work, or a part of a work, or
more than one work; a book; a tome; especially, that part
of an extended work which is bound up together in one
cover; as, a work in four volumes.
An odd volume of a set of books bears not the value
of its proportion to the set. --Franklin.
4. Anything of a rounded or swelling form resembling a roll;
a turn; a convolution; a coil.
So glides some trodden serpent on the grass, And
long behind wounded volume trails. --Dryden.
Undulating billows rolling their silver volumes.
--W. Irving.
4. Dimensions; compass; space occupied, as measured by cubic
units, that is, cubic inches, feet, yards, etc.; mass;
bulk; as, the volume of an elephant's body; a volume of
gas.
5. (Mus.) Amount, fullness, quantity, or caliber of voice or
tone.
{Atomic volume}, {Molecular volume} (Chem.), the ratio of the
atomic and molecular weights divided respectively by the
specific gravity of the substance in question.
{Specific volume} (Physics & Chem.), the quotient obtained by
dividing unity by the specific gravity; the reciprocal of
the specific gravity. It is equal (when the specific
gravity is referred to water at 4[deg] C. as a standard)
to the number of cubic centimeters occupied by one gram of
the substance.
Volumed \Vol"umed\, a.
1. Having the form of a volume, or roil; as, volumed mist.
The distant torrent's rushing sound Tells where the
volumed cataract doth roll. --Byron.
2. Having volume, or bulk; massive; great.
Volumenometer \Vol`u*me*nom"e*ter\, n. [L. volumen volume +
-meter.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the volume of a body, especially
a solid, by means of the difference in tension caused by its
presence and absence in a confined portion of air.
Volumenometry \Vol`u*me*nom"e*try\, n. (Chem. & Physics)
The method or process of measuring volumes by means of the
volumenometer.
Volumescope \Vo*lu"me*scope\, n. [Volume + -scope.] (Physics)
An instrument consisting essentially of a glass tube provided
with a graduated scale, for exhibiting to the eye the changes
of volume of a gas or gaseous mixture resulting from chemical
action, and the like.
Volumeter \Vo*lu"me*ter\, n. [Cf. F. volum[`e]tre. See
{Volumetric}.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the volumes of gases or liquids
by introducing them into a vessel of known capacity.
Volumetric \Vol`u*met"ric\, a. [Volume + -metric.]
Of or pertaining to the measurement of volume.
{Volumetric analysis} (Chem.), that system of the
quantitative analysis of solutions which employs definite
volumes of standardized solutions of reagents, as measured
by burettes, pipettes, etc.; also, the analysis of gases
by volume, as by the eudiometer.
Volumetrical \Vol`u*met"ric*al\, a.
Volumetric. -- {Vol`u*met"ric*al*ly}, adv.
Voluminous \Vo*lu"mi*nous\, a. [L. voluminosus: cf. F.
volumineux.]
Of or pertaining to volume or volumes. Specifically:
(a) Consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions.
But ended foul in many a scaly fold, Voluminous and
vast. --Milton.
Over which dusky draperies are hanging, and
voluminous curtains have long since fallen. --De
Quincey.
(b) Of great volume, or bulk; large. --B. Jonson.
(c) Consisting of many volumes or books; as, the collections
of Muratori are voluminous.
(d) Having written much, or produced many volumes; copious;
diffuse; as, a voluminous writer. -- {Vo*lu"mi*nous*ly},
adv. -- {Vo*lu"mi*nous*ness}, n.
Volumist \Vol"u*mist\, n.
One who writes a volume; an author. [Obs.] --Milton.
Voluntarily \Vol"un*ta*ri*ly\, adv.
In a voluntary manner; of one's own will; spontaneously.
Voluntariness \Vol"un*ta*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being voluntary; spontaneousness;
specifically, the quality or state of being free in the
exercise of one's will.
Voluntary \Vol"un*ta*ry\, a. [L. voluntarius, fr. voluntas will,
choice, from the root of velle to will, p. pr. volens; akin
to E. will: cf. F. volontaire, Of. also voluntaire. See
{Will}, v. t., and cf. {Benevolent}, {Volition},
{Volunteer}.]
1. Proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of
choice.
That sin or guilt pertains exclusively to voluntary
action is the true principle of orthodoxy. --N. W.
Taylor.
2. Unconstrained by the interference of another; unimpelled
by the influence of another; not prompted or persuaded by
another; done of his or its own accord; spontaneous;
acting of one's self, or of itself; free.
Our voluntary service he requires. --Milton.
She fell to lust a voluntary prey. --Pope.
3. Done by design or intention; intentional; purposed;
intended; not accidental; as, if a man kills another by
lopping a tree, it is not voluntary manslaughter.
4. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the will; subject to, or
regulated by, the will; as, the voluntary motions of an
animal, such as the movements of the leg or arm (in
distinction from involuntary motions, such as the
movements of the heart); the voluntary muscle fibers,
which are the agents in voluntary motion.
5. Endowed with the power of willing; as, man is a voluntary
agent.
God did not work as a necessary, but a voluntary,
agent, intending beforehand, and decreeing with
himself, that which did outwardly proceed from him.
--Hooker.
6. (Law) Free; without compulsion; according to the will,
consent, or agreement, of a party; without consideration;
gratuitous; without valuable consideration.
7. (Eccl.) Of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary
church, in distinction from an established or state
church.
{Voluntary affidavit} or {oath} (Law), an affidavit or oath
made in extrajudicial matter.
{Voluntary conveyance} (Law), a conveyance without valuable
consideration.
{Voluntary escape} (Law), the escape of a prisoner by the
express consent of the sheriff.
{Voluntary jurisdiction}. (Eng. Eccl. Law) See {Contentious
jurisdiction}, under {Contentious}.
{Voluntary waste}. (Law) See {Waste}, n., 4.
Syn: See {Spontaneous}.
Voluntary \Vol"un*ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Voluntaries}.
1. One who engages in any affair of his own free will; a
volunteer. [R.] --Shak.
2. (Mus.) A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily,
according to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played
before, during, or after divine service.
3. (Eccl.) One who advocates voluntaryism.
Voluntaryism \Vol"un*ta*ry*ism\, n. (Eccl.)
The principle of supporting a religious system and its
institutions by voluntary association and effort, rather than
by the aid or patronage of the state.
Volunteer \Vol`un*teer"\, n. [F. volontaire. See {Voluntary},
a.]
1. One who enters into, or offers for, any service of his own
free will.
2. (Mil.) One who enters into service voluntarily, but who,
when in service, is subject to discipline and regulations
like other soldiers; -- opposed to conscript;
specifically, a voluntary member of the organized militia
of a country as distinguished from the standing army.
3. (Law) A grantee in a voluntary conveyance; one to whom a
conveyance is made without valuable consideration; a
party, other than a wife or child of the grantor, to whom,
or for whose benefit, a voluntary conveyance is made.
--Burrill.
Volunteer \Vol`un*teer"\, a.
Of or pertaining to a volunteer or volunteers; consisting of
volunteers; voluntary; as, volunteer companies; volunteer
advice.
Volunteer \Vol`un*teer"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Volunteered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Volunteering}.]
To offer or bestow voluntarily, or without solicitation or
compulsion; as, to volunteer one's services.
Volunteer \Vol`un*teer"\, v. i.
To enter into, or offer for, any service of one's own free
will, without solicitation or compulsion; as, he volunteered
in that undertaking.
Volupere \Vol"u*pere\, n. [Cf. {Envelop}.]
A woman's cap. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Voluptuary \Vo*lup"tu*a*ry\ (?; 135), n.; pl. {Voluptuaries}.
[L. voluptuarius or voluptarius, fr. voluptas pleasure.]
A voluptuous person; one who makes his physical enjoyment his
chief care; one addicted to luxury, and the gratification of
sensual appetites.
A good-humored, but hard-hearted, voluptuary. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Sensualist; epicure.
Voluptuary \Vo*lup"tu*a*ry\, a.
Voluptuous; luxurious.
Voluptuous \Vo*lup"tu*ous\, a. [F. voluptueux, L. voluptuosus,
fr. voluptas pleasure, volup agreeably, delightfully;
probably akin to Gr. ? to hope, ? hope, and to L. velle to
wish. See {Voluntary}.]
1. Full of delight or pleasure, especially that of the
senses; ministering to sensuous or sensual gratification;
exciting sensual desires; luxurious; sensual.
Music arose with its voluptuous swell. --Byron.
Sink back into your voluptuous repose. --De Quincey.
2. Given to the enjoyments of luxury and pleasure; indulging
to excess in sensual gratifications. ``The jolly and
voluptuous livers.'' --Atterbury.
Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life.
--Milton.
-- {Vo*lup"tu*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vo*lup"tu*ous*ness}, n.
Volupty \Vo*lup"ty\, n. [Cf. F. volupt['e] pleasure. See
{Voluptuous}.]
Voluptuousness. [Obs.]
Voluta \Vo*lu"ta\, n.; pl. E. {Volutas}, L. {Volut[ae]}. [L., a
spiral scroll. See {Volute}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of large, handsome marine
gastropods belonging to {Voluta} and allied genera.
Volutation \Vol`u*ta"tion\, n. [L. volutatio, from volutare to
roll, wallow, verb freq. volvere, volutum, to roll.]
A rolling of a body; a wallowing. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Volute \Vo*lute"\, n. [F. volute (cf. It. voluta), L. voluta,
from volvere, volutum, to roll. See {Voluble}.]
1. (Arch.) A spiral scroll which forms the chief feature of
the Ionic capital, and which, on a much smaller scale, is
a feature in the Corinthian and Composite capitals. See
Illust. of {Capital}, also {Helix}, and {Stale}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A spiral turn, as in certain shells.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any voluta.
{Volute spiring}, a spring formed of a spiral scroll of
plate, rod, or wire, extended or extensible in the
direction of the axis of the coil, in which direction its
elastic force is exerted and employed.
Voluted \Vo*lut"ed\, a.
Having a volute, or spiral scroll.
Volution \Vo*lu"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. volutio an arch, vault.]
1. A spiral turn or wreath.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A whorl of a spiral shell.
Volva \Vol"va\, n. [L. volva, vulva, covering.] (Bot.)
A saclike envelope of certain fungi, which bursts open as the
plant develops.
Volvox \Vol"vox\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of minute, pale-green, globular, organisms, about one
fiftieth of an inch in diameter, found rolling through water,
the motion being produced by minute colorless cilia. It has
been considered as belonging to the flagellate Infusoria, but
is now referred to the vegetable kingdom, and each globule is
considered a colony of many individuals. The commonest
species is Volvox globator, often called globe animalcule.
Volvulus \Vol"vu*lus\, n. [NL., fr. L. volvere to turn about, to
roll.] (Med.)
(a) The spasmodic contraction of the intestines which causes
colic.
(b) Any twisting or displacement of the intestines causing
obstruction; ileus. See {Ileus}.
Volyer \Vol"yer\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A lurcher. [Prov. Eng.]
Vomer \Vo"mer\, n. [L., a plowshare.] (Anat.)
(a) A bone, or one of a pair of bones, beneath the ethmoid
region of the skull, forming a part a part of the
partition between the nostrils in man and other mammals.
(b) The pygostyle.
Vomerine \Vo"mer*ine\, a.
Of or pertaining to the vomer.
Vomica \Vom"i*ca\, n. [L., fr. vomere to throw up, vomit.]
(Med.)
(a) An abscess cavity in the lungs.
(b) An abscess in any other parenchymatous organ.
Vomicine \Vom"i*cine\, n. [From nux vomica.] (Chem.)
See {Brucine}.
Vomic nut \Vom"ic nut`\ [Cf. F. noix vomique.]
Same as {Nux vomica}.
Vomit \Vom"it\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Vomited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vomiting}.] [Cf. L. vomere, vomitum, and v. freq. vomitare.
See {Vomit}, n.]
To eject the contents of the stomach by the mouth; to puke;
to spew.
Vomit \Vom"it\, v. t.
1. To throw up; to eject from the stomach through the mouth;
to disgorge; to puke; to spew out; -- often followed by up
or out.
The fish . . . vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
--Jonah ii.
10.
2. Hence, to eject from any hollow place; to belch forth; to
emit; to throw forth; as, volcanoes vomit flame, stones,
etc.
Like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke. --Milton.
Vomit \Vom"it\, n. [L. vomitus, from vomere, vomitum, to vomit;
akin to Gr. ?, Skr. vam, Lith. vemiti. Cf. {Emetic},
{Vomito}.]
1. Matter that is vomited; esp., matter ejected from the
stomach through the mouth.
Like vomit from his yawning entrails poured.
--Sandys.
2. (Med.) That which excites vomiting; an emetic.
He gives your Hollander a vomit. --Shak.
{Black vomit}. (Med.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Vomit nut}, nux vomica.
Vomiting \Vom"it*ing\, n.
The spasmodic ejection of matter from the stomach through the
mouth.
Vomition \Vo*mi"tion\, n. [L. vomitio.]
The act or power of vomiting. --Grew.
Vomitive \Vom"i*tive\, a. [Cf. F. vomitif.]
Causing the ejection of matter from the stomach; emetic.
Vomito \Vo*mi"to\, n. [Sp. v['o]mito, fr. L. vomitus. See
{Vomit}, n.] (Med.)
The yellow fever in its worst form, when it is usually
attended with black vomit. See {Black vomit}.
Vomitory \Vom"i*to*ry\, a. [L. vomitorious.]
Causing vomiting; emetic; vomitive.
Vomitory \Vom"i*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Vomitories}.
1. An emetic; a vomit. --Harvey.
2. [L. vomitorium.] (Arch.) A principal door of a large
ancient building, as of an amphitheater.
Sixty-four vomitories . . . poured forth the immense
multitude. --Gibbon.
Vomiturition \Vom`i*tu*ri"tion\, n. [Cf. F. vomiturition.]
(Med.)
(a) An ineffectual attempt to vomit.
(b) The vomiting of but little matter; also, that vomiting
which is effected with little effort. --Dunglison.
Vondsira \Vond*si"ra\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Vansire}.
Voodoo \Voo"doo\, n.
1. See {Voodooism}.
2. One who practices voodooism; a negro sorcerer.
Voodoo \Voo"doo\, a.
Of or pertaining to voodooism, or a voodoo; as, voodoo
incantations.
Voodooism \Voo"doo*ism\, n. [Probably (through Creole French
vaudoux a negro sorcerer) fr. F. Vaudois Waldensian, because
the Waldenses were accused of sorcery.]
A degraded form of superstition and sorcery, said to include
human sacrifices and cannibalism in some of its rites. It is
prevalent among the negroes of Hayti, and to some extent in
the United States, and is regarded as a relic of African
barbarism.
Voracious \Vo*ra"cious\, a. [L. vorax, -acis, fr. vorare to
devour; akin to Gr. ? meat, food, ? to devour, Skr. gar. Cf.
{Devour}.]
Greedy in eating; very hungry; eager to devour or swallow;
ravenous; gluttonous; edacious; rapacious; as, a voracious
man or appetite; a voracious gulf or whirlpool. --Dampier. --
{Vo*ra"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Vo*ra"cious*ness}, n.
Voracity \Vo*rac"i*ty\, n. [L. voracitas: cf. F. voracit['e].]
The quality of being voracious; voraciousness.
Voraginous \Vo*rag"i*nous\, a. [L. voraginosus, fr. vorago an
abyss, fr. vorare to swallow up.]
Pertaining to a gulf; full of gulfs; hence, devouring. [R.]
--Mallet.
Vortex \Vor"tex\, n.; pl. E. {Vortexes}, L. {Vortices}. [L.
vortex, vertex, -icis, fr. vortere, vertere, to turn. See
{Vertex}.]
1. A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling
or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in
the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the
center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a
fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy.
2. (Cartesian System) A supposed collection of particles of
very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion
around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a
planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation
of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing
it, by a theory of vortices.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small
Turbellaria belonging to {Vortex} and allied genera. See
Illustration in Appendix.
{Vortex atom} (Chem.), a hypothetical ring-shaped mass of
elementary matter in continuous vortical motion. It is
conveniently regarded in certain mathematical speculations
as the typical form and structure of the chemical atom.
{Vortex wheel}, a kind of turbine.
Vortical \Vor"ti*cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vortex or vortexes; resembling a vortex
in form or motion; whirling; as, a vortical motion. --
{Vor"ti*cal*ly}, adv.
Vorticel \Vor"ti*cel\, n. [Cf. F. vorticelle. See {Vortex}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A vorticella.
Vorticella \Vor`ti*cel"la\, n.; pl. E. {Vorticellas}, L.
{Vorticell[ae]}. [NL., dim. fr. L. vortex. See {Vortex}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of ciliated Infusoria belonging
to {Vorticella} and many other genera of the family
{Vorticellid[ae]}. They have a more or less bell-shaped body
with a circle of vibrating cilia around the oral disk. Most
of the species have slender, contractile stems, either simple
or branched.
Vorticose \Vor"ti*cose`\, a. [L. vorticosus.]
Vortical; whirling; as, a vorticose motion.
Vortiginous \Vor*tig"i*nous\, a. [Cf. {Vertiginous}.]
Moving rapidly round a center; vortical. [R.] --Cowper.
Votaress \Vo"ta*ress\, n. [See {Votary}, n.]
A woman who is a votary. --Shak.
Votarist \Vo"ta*rist\, n. [See {Votary}.]
A votary.
Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed. --Milton.
Votary \Vo"ta*ry\, a. [From L. votus, p. p. vovere to vow, to
devote. See {Vote}, {Vow}.]
Consecrated by a vow or promise; consequent on a vow;
devoted; promised.
Votary resolution is made equipollent to custom.
--Bacon.
Votary \Vo"ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Votaries}.
One devoted, consecrated, or engaged by a vow or promise;
hence, especially, one devoted, given, or addicted, to some
particular service, worship, study, or state of life. ``You
are already love's firm votary.'' --Shak.
'T was coldness of the votary, not the prayer, that was
in fault. --Bp. Fell.
But thou, my votary, weepest thou? --Emerson.
Vote \Vote\, n. [L. votum a vow, wish, will, fr. vovere, votum,
to vow: cf. F. vote. See {Vow}.]
1. An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer. [Obs.]
--Massinger.
2. A wish, choice, or opinion, of a person or a body of
persons, expressed in some received and authorized way;
the expression of a wish, desire, will, preference, or
choice, in regard to any measure proposed, in which the
person voting has an interest in common with others,
either in electing a person to office, or in passing laws,
rules, regulations, etc.; suffrage.
3. That by means of which will or preference is expressed in
elections, or in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a
ticket; as, a written vote.
The freeman casting with unpurchased hand The vote
that shakes the turrets of the land. --Holmes.
4. Expression of judgment or will by a majority; legal
decision by some expression of the minds of a number; as,
the vote was unanimous; a vote of confidence.
5. Votes, collectively; as, the Tory vote; the labor vote.
{Casting vote}, {Cumulative vote}, etc. See under {Casting},
{Cumulative}, etc.
Vote \Vote\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Voted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Voting}.] [Cf. F. voter.]
To express or signify the mind, will, or preference, either
viva voce, or by ballot, or by other authorized means, as in
electing persons to office, in passing laws, regulations,
etc., or in deciding on any proposition in which one has an
interest with others.
The vote for a duelist is to assist in the prostration
of justice, and, indirectly, to encourage the crime.
--L. Beecher.
To vote on large principles, to vote honestly, requires
a great amount of information. --F. W.
Robertson.
Vote \Vote\, v. t.
1. To choose by suffrage; to elec?; as, to vote a candidate
into office.
2. To enact, establish, grant, determine, etc., by a formal
vote; as, the legislature voted the resolution.
Parliament voted them one hundred thousand pounds.
--Swift.
3. To declare by general opinion or common consent, as if by
a vote; as, he was voted a bore. [Colloq.]
4. To condemn; to devote; to doom. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
Voter \Vot"er\, n.
One who votes; one who has a legal right to vote, or give his
suffrage; an elector; a suffragist; as, an independent voter.
Voting \Vot"ing\,
a. & n. from {Vote}, v.
{Voting paper}, a form of ballot containing the names of more
candidates than there are offices to be filled, the voter
making a mark against the preferred names. [Eng.]
Votist \Vot"ist\, n.
One who makes a vow. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Votive \Vo"tive\, a. [L. votivus, fr. votum a vow: cf. F. votif.
See {Vow}.]
Given by vow, or in fulfillment of a vow; consecrated by a
vow; devoted; as, votive offerings; a votive tablet. ``Votive
incense.'' --Keble.
We reached a votive stone, that bears the name Of Aloys
Reding. --Wordsworth.
Embellishments of flowers and votive garlands.
--Motley.
{Votive medal}, a medal struck in grateful commemoration of
some auspicious event.
{Votive offering}, an offering in fulfillment of a religious
vow, as of one's person or property. -- {Vo"tive*ly}, adv.
-- {Vo"tive*ness}, n.
Votress \Vo"tress\, n.
A votaress. --Dryden.
Vouch \Vouch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vouched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vouching}.] [OE. vouchen, OF. vochier to call, fr. L. vocare
to call, fr. vox, vocis, voice. See {Voice}, and cf.
{Avouch}.]
1. To call; to summon. [Obs.]
[They] vouch (as I might say) to their aid the
authority of the writers. --Sir T.
Elyot.
2. To call upon to witness; to obtest.
Vouch the silent stars and conscious moon. --Dryden.
3. To warrant; to maintain by affirmations; to attest; to
affirm; to avouch.
They made him ashamed to vouch the truth of the
relation, and afterwards to credit it. --Atterbury.
4. To back; to support; to confirm; to establish.
Me damp horror chilled At such bold words vouched
with a deed so bold. --Milton.
5. (Law) To call into court to warrant and defend, or to make
good a warranty of title.
He vouches the tenant in tail, who vouches over the
common vouchee. --Blackstone.
Syn: To obtest; declare; affirm; attest; warrant; confirm;
asseverate; aver; protest; assure.
Vouch \Vouch\, v. i.
1. To bear witness; to give testimony or full attestation.
He will not believe her until the elector of Hanover
shall vouch for the truth of what she has . . .
affirmed. --Swift.
2. To assert; to aver; to declare. --Shak.
Vouch \Vouch\, n.
Warrant; attestation. [Obs.]
The vouch of very malice itself. --Shak.
Vouchee \Vouch*ee"\, n. (Law)
The person who is vouched, or called into court to support or
make good his warranty of title in the process of common
recovery. --Blackstone.
Voucher \Vouch"er\, n.
1. One who vouches, or gives witness or full attestation, to
anything.
Will his vouchers vouch him no more? --Shak.
The great writers of that age stand up together as
vouchers for one another's reputation. --Spectator.
2. A book, paper, or document which serves to vouch the truth
of accounts, or to confirm and establish facts of any
kind; also, any acquittance or receipt showing the payment
of a debt; as, the merchant's books are his vouchers for
the correctness of his accounts; notes, bonds, receipts,
and other writings, are used as vouchers in proving facts.
3. (Law)
(a) The act of calling in a person to make good his
warranty of title in the old form of action for the
recovery of lands.
(b) The tenant in a writ of right; one who calls in
another to establish his warranty of title. In common
recoveries, there may be a single voucher or double
vouchers. --Blackstone.
Vouchment \Vouch"ment\, n.
A solemn assertion. [R.]
Vouchor \Vouch/or\, n. (Law)
Same as {Voucher}, 3
(b) .
Vouchsafe \Vouch*safe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vouchsafed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vouchsafing}.] [Vouch + safe, that is, to vouch
or answer for safety.]
1. To condescend to grant; to concede; to bestow.
If ye vouchsafe that it be so. --Chaucer.
Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two?
--Shak.
It is not said by the apostle that God vouchsafed to
the heathens the means of salvation. --South.
2. To receive or accept in condescension. [Obs.] --Shak.
Vouchsafe \Vouch*safe"\, v. i.
To condescend; to deign; to yield; to descend or stoop.
--Chaucer.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
--Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
Vouchsafe, illustrious Ormond, to behold What power the
charms of beauty had of old. --Dryden.
Vouchsafement \Vouch*safe"ment\, n.
The act of vouchsafing, or that which is vouchsafed; a gift
or grant in condescension. --Glanvill.
Voussoir \Vous`soir"\, n. [F., akin to vo[^u]te an arch, a
vault.] (Arch.)
One of the wedgelike stones of which an arch is composed.
Vow \Vow\, n. [OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v?u, from L.
votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. {Avow}, {Devout}, {Vote}.]
1. A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by
which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or
conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter
time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of
one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty.
``Nothing . . . that may . . . stain my vow of Nazarite.''
--Milton.
I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. --2 Sam. xv.
7.
I am combined by a sacred vow. --Shak.
2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or
affection; as, the marriage vow.
Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to
their plighted faith. --Dryden.
Vow \Vow\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vowing}.] [OE. vouen, OF. vouer, voer, F. vouer, LL. votare.
See {Vow}, n.]
1. To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity,
by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly.
``When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.''
--Eccl. v. 4.
[Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. --Shak.
2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate.
Vow \Vow\, v. i.
To make a vow, or solemn promise.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that
thou shouldest vow and not pay. --Eccl. v. 5.
Vowel \Vow"el\, n. [F. voyelle, or an OF. form without y, L.
vocalis (sc. littera), from vocalis sounding, from vox,
vocis, a voice, sound. See {Vocal}.] (Phon.)
A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by
resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each
case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character
or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a
{consonant} in that the latter, whether made with or without
vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind
of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or
character which represents such a sound. See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 5, 146-149.
Note: In the English language, the written vowels are a, e,
i, o, u, and sometimes w and y. The spoken vowels are
much more numerous.
{Close vowel}. See under {Close}, a.
{Vowel point}. See under {Point}, n.
Vowel \Vow"el\, a.
Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal.
Voweled \Vow"eled\, a.
Furnished with vowels. [Written also {vowelled}.] --Dryden.
Vowelish \Vow"el*ish\, a.
Of the nature of a vowel. [R.] ``The power [of w] is always
vowelish.'' --B. Jonson.
Vowelism \Vow"el*ism\, n.
The use of vowels. [R.]
Vowelize \Vow"el*ize\, v. t.
To give the quality, sound, or office of a vowel to.
Vower \Vow"er\, n.
One who makes a vow. --Bale.
Vow-fellow \Vow"-fel`low\, n.
One bound by the same vow as another. [R.] --Shak.
Vox \Vox\, n. [L. See {Voice}.]
A voice.
{Vox humana}[L., human voice] (Mus.), a reed stop in an
organ, made to imitate the human voice.
Voyage \Voy"age\ (?; 48), n. [OE. veage, viage, OF. veage,
viage, veiage, voiage, F. voyage, LL. viaticum, fr. L.
viaticum traveling money, provision for a journey, from
viaticus belonging to a road or journey, fr. via way, akin to
E. way. See {Way}, n., and cf. {Convey}, {Deviate},
{Devious}, {Envoy}, {Trivial}, {Viaduct}, {Viaticum}.]
1. Formerly, a passage either by sea or land; a journey, in
general; but not chiefly limited to a passing by sea or
water from one place, port, or country, to another;
especially, a passing or journey by water to a distant
place or country.
I love a sea voyage and a blustering tempest. --J.
Fletcher.
So steers the prudent crane Her annual voyage, borne
on winds. --Milton.
All the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows
and in miseries. --Shak.
2. The act or practice of traveling. [Obs.]
Nations have interknowledge of one another by voyage
into foreign parts, or strangers that come to them.
--Bacon.
3. Course; way. [Obs.] --Shak.
Voyage \Voy"age\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Voyaged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Voyaging}.] [Cf. F. voyager.]
To take a voyage; especially, to sail or pass by water.
A mind forever Voyaging through strange seas of thought
alone. --Wordsworth.
Voyage \Voy"age\, v. t.
To travel; to pass over; to traverse.
With what pain [I] voyaged the unreal, vast, unbounded
deep. --Milton.
Voyageable \Voy"age*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. voyageable.]
That may be sailed over, as water or air; navigable.
Voyager \Voy"a*ger\, n. [Cf. F. voyager traveling.]
One who voyages; one who sails or passes by sea or water.
Voyageur \Voy`a`geur"\, n. [F., fr. voyager to travel. See
{Voyage}.]
A traveler; -- applied in Canada to a man employed by the fur
companies in transporting goods by the rivers and across the
land, to and from the remote stations in the Northwest.
Voyol \Voy"ol\, n. (Naut.)
(a) See {Viol}, 2.
(b) The block through which a messenger passes. [Written also
{viol}, and {voyal}.]
Vraisemblance \Vrai`sem`blance"\, n. [F.]
The appearance of truth; verisimilitude.
Vugg \Vugg\, Vugh \Vugh\, n. (Mining)
A cavity in a lode; -- called also {vogle}.
Vulcan \Vul"can\, n. [L. Vulcanus, Volcanus: cf. Skr. ulk[=a] a
firebrand, meteor. Cf. {Volcano}.] (Rom. Myth.)
The god of fire, who presided over the working of metals; --
answering to the Greek Heph[ae]stus.
Vulcanian \Vul*ca"ni*an\, a. [L. Vulcanius.]
1. Of or pertaining to Vulcan; made by Vulcan; hence, of or
pertaining to works in iron or other metals.
Ingenious allusions to the Vulcanian panoply which
Achilles lent to his feebler friend. --Macaulay.
2. (Geol.) Volcanic.
Vulcanic \Vul*can"ic\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Vulcan; made by Vulcan; Vulcanian.
2. Of or pertaining to volcanoes; specifically, relating to
the geological theory of the Vulcanists, or Plutonists.
Vulcanicity \Vul`can*ic"i*ty\, n.
Volcanicity.
Vulcanism \Vul"can*ism\, n.
Volcanism.
Vulcanist \Vul"can*ist\, n.
A volcanist.
Vulcanite \Vul"can*ite\, n.
Hard rubber produced by vulcanizing with a large proportion
of sulphur.
Vulcanization \Vul`can*i*za"tion\, n. [See {Vulcan}.]
The act or process of imparting to caoutchouc, gutta-percha,
or the like, greater elasticity, durability, or hardness by
heating with sulphur under pressure.
Vulcanize \Vul"can*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vulcanized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Vulcanizing}.]
To change the properties of, as caoutchouc, or India rubber,
by the process of vulcanization.
{Vulcanized fiber}, paper, paper pulp, or other fiber,
chemically treated, as with metallic chlorides, so as to
form a substance resembling ebonite in texture, hardness,
etc. --Knight.
{Vulcanized rubber}, India rubber, vulcanized.
Vulcanizer \Vul"can*i`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, vulcanizes; esp., an apparatus for
vulcanizing caoutchouc.
Vulcano \Vul*ca"no\, n.
A volcano. [Obs.]
Vulcanology \Vul`can*ol"o*gy\, n. [See {Vulcan}, and {-logy}.]
The science which treats of phenomena due to plutonic action,
as in volcanoes, hot springs, etc. [R.]
Vulgar \Vul"gar\, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude,
the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf.
{Divulge}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people;
common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use;
vernacular. ``As common as any the most vulgar thing to
sense. '' -- Shak.
Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the
praise. --Milton.
It might be more useful to the English reader . . .
to write in our vulgar language. --Bp. Fell.
The mechanical process of multiplying books had
brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue
within the reach of every class. --Bancroft.
2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as
distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining
to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished;
hence, sometimes, of little or no value. ``Like the vulgar
sort of market men.'' --Shak.
Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar
life. --Addison.
In reading an account of a battle, we follow the
hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on
the vulgar heaps of slaughter. --Rambler.
3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish;
also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low;
coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or
manners.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak.
{Vulgar fraction}. (Arith.) See under {Fraction}.
Vulgar \Vul"gar\, n. [Cf. F. vulgaire.]
1. One of the common people; a vulgar person. [Obs.]
These vile vulgars are extremely proud. --Chapman.
2. The vernacular, or common language. [Obs.]
Vulgarian \Vul*ga"ri*an\, n.
A vulgar person; one who has vulgar ideas. Used also
adjectively.
Vulgarism \Vul"gar*ism\, n. [Cf. F. vulgarisme.]
1. Grossness; rudeness; vulgarity.
2. A vulgar phrase or expression.
A fastidious taste will find offense in the
occasional vulgarisms, or what we now call
``slang,'' which not a few of our writers seem to
have affected. --Coleridge.
Vulgarity \Vul*gar"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. vulgarit['e], L. vulgaritas
the multitude.]
1. The quality or state of being vulgar; mean condition of
life; the state of the lower classes of society. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. Grossness or clownishness of manners of language; absence
of refinement; coarseness.
The reprobate vulgarity of the frequenters of
Bartholomew Fair. --B. Jonson.
Vulgarization \Vul`gar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of making vulgar, or common.
Vulgarize \Vul"gar*ize\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Vulgarized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Vulgarizing}.] [Cf. F. vulgariser, LL.
vulgarizare.]
To make vulgar, or common.
Exhortation vulgarized by low wit. --V. Knox.
Vulgarly \Vul"gar*ly\, adv.
In a vulgar manner.
Vulgarness \Vul"gar*ness\, n.
The quality of being vulgar.
Vulgate \Vul"gate\, n. [NL. vulgata, from L. vulgatus usual,
common, p. p. of vulgare to make general, or common, fr.
vulgus the multitude: cf. F. vulgate. See {Vulgar}, a.]
An ancient Latin version of the Scripture, and the only
version which the Roman Church admits to be authentic; -- so
called from its common use in the Latin Church.
Note: The Vulgate was made by Jerome at the close of the 4th
century. The Old Testament he translated mostly from
the Hebrew and Chaldaic, and the New Testament he
revised from an older Latin version. The Douay version,
so called, is an English translation from the Vulgate.
See {Douay Bible}.
Vulgate \Vul"gate\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Vulgate, or the old Latin version of
the Scriptures.
Vulnerability \Vul`ner*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being vulnerable; vulnerableness.
Vulnerable \Vul"ner*a*ble\, a. [L. vulnerabilis wounding,
injurious, from vulnerare to wound, vulnus a wound; akin to
Skr. vra?a: cf. F. vuln['e]rable.]
1. Capable of being wounded; susceptible of wounds or
external injuries; as, a vulnerable body.
Achilles was vulnerable in his heel; and there will
be wanting a Paris to infix the dart. --Dr. T.
Dwight.
2. Liable to injury; subject to be affected injuriously;
assailable; as, a vulnerable reputation.
His skill in finding out the vulnerable parts of
strong minds was consummate. --Macaulay.
Vulnerableness \Vul"ner*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being vulnerable; vulnerability.
Vulnerary \Vul"ner*a*ry\, a. [L. vulnearius: cf. F.
vuln['e]raire.]
Useful in healing wounds; adapted to the cure of external
injuries; as, vulnerary plants or potions. ``Such vulnerary
remedies.'' --Sir W. Scott. -- n. [Cf. F. vuln['e]raire.]
(Med.) A vulnerary remedy.
Vulnerate \Vul"ner*ate\, v. t. [L. vulneratus, p. p. of
vulnerare to wound.]
To wound; to hurt. [Obs.]
Vulneration \Vul`ner*a"tion\, n. [L. vulneratio.]
The act of wounding, or the state of being wounded. [Obs.]
Vulnerose \Vul"ner*ose`\, a.
Full of wounds; wounded.
Vulnific \Vul*nif"ic\, Vulnifical \Vul*nif"ic*al\, a. [L.
vulnificus; vulnus a wound + facere to make.]
Causing wounds; inflicting wounds; wounding.
Vulnose \Vul*nose"\, a.
Having wounds; vulnerose. [R.]
Vulpes \Vul"pes\, n. [L., a fox.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Carnivora including the foxes.
Vulpic \Vul"pic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained
from a lichen ({Cetraria vulpina}) as a yellow or red
crystalline substance which on decomposition yields pulvinic
acid.
Vulpicide \Vul"pi*cide\, n. [L. vulpes a fox + caedere to kill.]
One who kills a fox, except in hunting; also, the act of so
killing a fox. [Written also {vulpecide}.]
Vulpine \Vul"pine\ (?; 277), a. [L. vulpinus, from vulpes a
fox.]
Of or pertaining to the fox; resembling the fox; foxy;
cunning; crafty; artful.
{Vulpine phalangist} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian carnivorous
marsupial ({Phalangista, or Trichosurus, vulpina}); --
called also {vulpine phalanger}, and {vulpine opossum}.
Vulpinic \Vul*pin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Same as {Vulpic}.
Vulpinism \Vul"pin*ism\, n.
The quality of being cunning like the fox; craft; artfulness.
[R.]
He was without guile, and had no vulpinism at all.
--Carlyle.
Vulpinite \Vul"pi*nite\, n. [So called after Vulpino, in Italy.]
(Min.)
A scaly granular variety of anhydrite of a grayish white
color, used for ornamental purposes.
Vultern \Vul"tern\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The brush turkey ({Talegallus Lathami}) of Australia. See
{Brush turkey}.
Vulture \Vul"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. vultur, L. vultur: cf. OF.
voltour, F. vautour.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of rapacious birds belonging to
{Vultur}, {Cathartes}, {Catharista}, and various other genera
of the family {Vulturid[ae]}.
Note: In most of the species the head and neck are naked or
nearly so. They feed chiefly on carrion. The condor,
king vulture, turkey buzzard, and black vulture
({Catharista atrata}) are well known American species.
The griffin, lammergeir, and Pharaoh's chicken, or
Egyptian vulture, are common Old World vultures.
Vulturine \Vul"tur*ine\ (?; 277), a. [L. vulturinus.]
Of or pertaining to a vulture; resembling a vulture in
qualities or looks; as, the vulturine sea eagle ({Gypohierax
Angolensis}); vulturine rapacity.
The vulturine nose, which smells nothing but
corruption, is no credit to its possessor. --C.
Kingsley.
Vulturish \Vul"tur*ish\, a.
Vulturous.
Vulturism \Vul"tur*ism\, n.
The quality or state of being like a vulture; rapaciousness.
Vulturous \Vul"tur*ous\, a.
Like a vulture; rapacious.
Vulva \Vul"va\, n. [L. vulva, volva, from volvere to roll.]
1. (Anat.) The external parts of the female genital organs;
sometimes, the opening between the projecting parts of the
external organs.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The orifice of the oviduct of an insect or
other invertebrate.
Vulviform \Vul"vi*form\, a. [L. vulva, volva, a wrapper +
-form.] (Bot.)
Like a cleft with projecting edges.
Vulvitis \Vul*vi"tis\, n. [NL. See {Vulva}, and {-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the vulva.
Vulvo-uterine \Vul`vo-u"ter*ine\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining both to the vulva and the uterus.
Vulvovaginal \Vul`vo*vag"i*nal\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining both to the vulva and the vagina.
Vyce \Vyce\, n. [Cf. {Vise}.] (Coopering)
A kind of clamp with gimlet points for holding a barrel head
while the staves are being closed around it. --Knight.
Vying \Vy"ing\,
a. & n. from {Vie}. -- {Vy"ing*ly}, adv.