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.
Ver"ni*cle (?), n. A Veronica. See Veronica, 1. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
A vernicle had he sowed upon his cap.
Chaucer.
Ver"ni*cose` (?), a. [See Varnish.] (Bot.) Having a brilliantly
polished surface, as some leaves.
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.
Ver"nile (?), a. [L. vernilis servile. See Vernacular.] Suiting a
salve; servile; obsequious. [R.]
The example . . . of vernile scurrility.
De Quincey.
Ver*nil"i*ty (?), n. [L. vernilitas.] Fawning or obsequious behavior;
servility. [R.] Bailey.
Ver"nine (?), n. [Vernal + - ine.] (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from
the shoots of the vetch, red clover, etc., as a white crystalline
substance.
Ver"nish (?), n. & v. Varnish. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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.
||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.
||
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.
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.
Ver"ray (?), a. Very; true. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ver"ray*ment (?), adv. [OF. veraiement. See Very.] Verily; truly.
[Obs.] Chaucer.