VENTILATE, ven'ti-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to fan with wind: to open to the free
passage of air: to cause fresh air to pass through: to expose to
examination and discussion: to make public.--_adj._ VEN'TILABLE.--_ns._
VENTIL[=A]'BRUM, flabellum; VENTIL[=A]'TION, act or art of ventilating:
state of being ventilated: free exposure to air: supply of air: act of
examining and making public: public exposure.--_adj._
VEN'TIL[=A]TIVE.--_n._ VEN'TIL[=A]TOR, that which ventilates: a contrivance
for introducing fresh air. [L. _ventil[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ventulus_, dim.
of _ventus_, the wind.]
VENTOSE, ven't[=o]s, _adj._ windy.--_n._ the sixth month of the French
Revolutionary Calendar, 19th February to 20th March.--_n._ VENTOS'ITY,
windiness: empty pride. [L. _ventosus_--_ventus_, wind.]
VENTRAL, ven'tral, _adj._ belonging to the belly: (_bot._) denoting the
anterior or inferior surface: in the body, situated opposite the dorsal or
back aspect.--_n._ in fishes, one of the posterior fins.--_advs._ VEN'TRAD
(_zool._, _anat._), to or toward the belly, or ventral surface or aspect of
the body; VEN'TRALLY.--_adj._ VEN'TRIC.--_n._ VEN'TRICLE, a small cavity
within an animal body, as in the heart or brain: (_Shak._) the
womb.--_adjs._ VEN'TRIC[=O]SE, VEN'TRICOUS, swelling out in the middle:
bellied; VENTRIC'[=U]LAR. [L. _ventralis_--_venter_, the belly.]
VENTRICULITE, ven-trik'[=u]-l[=i]t, _n._ one of a genus of fossil sponges
found in the cretaceous system, and often giving their shape to flint
nodules.
VENTRILOQUISM, ven-tril'[=o]-kwizm, _n._ the act or art of producing tones
and words without any motion of the mouth, so that the hearer is induced to
refer the sound to some other place--also VENTRILOC[=U]'TION,
VENTRIL'OQUY.--_adv._ VENTRIL[=O]'QUIALLY.--_v.i._ VENTRIL'OQUISE, to
practise ventriloquism.--_n._ VENTRIL'OQUIST, one who practises
ventriloquism.--_adjs._ VENTRILOQUIS'TIC, VENTRIL[=O]'QUIAL,
VENTRIL'OQUOUS. [L. _ventriloquus_, speaking from the belly--_venter_, the
belly, _loqui_, to speak.]
VENTRIPOTENT, ven-trip'[=o]-tent, _adj._ (_rare_) of great gastronomic
capacity. [L. _venter_, belly, _potens_--_posse_, to have power.]
VENTROSITY, ven-tros'i-ti, _n._ the state of having a pot-belly.
VENTURE, ven't[=u]r, _n._ chance, luck, hazard: that which is put to hazard
(esp. goods sent by sea at the sender's risk): an undertaking whose issue
is uncertain or dangerous.--_v.t._ to send on a venture: to expose to
hazard: to risk.--_v.i._ to make a venture: to run a risk: to dare.--_n._
VEN'T[=U]RER.--_adjs._ VEN'T[=U]ROUS, VEN'T[=U]RESOME.--_advs._
VEN'T[=U]ROUSLY, VEN'T[=U]RESOMELY.--_ns._ VEN'T[=U]ROUSNESS,
VEN'T[=U]RESOMENESS.--VENTURE ON, UPON, to dare to engage in.--AT A
VENTURE, at hazard, random. [Short for _adventure_.]
VENUE, ven'[=u], _n._ (_Shak._) a hit in fencing: a bout or match: a lunge,
thrust. [O. Fr.,--L. _ven[=i]re_, to come.]
VENUE, ven'[=u], _n._ (_law_) the place where an action is laid: the
district from which a jury comes to try a question of fact: in England,
usually the county where a crime is alleged to have been committed.--CHANGE
OF VENUE, change of place of trial; LAY THE VENUE, to specify the place
where the trial is to be held. [A particular use of preceding word, but
confused with O. Fr. _visne_, neighbourhood--L. _vicinia_, neighbourhood.]
VENUS, v[=e]'nus, _n._ (_Roman myth._) the goddess of love, originally of
spring, patron of flower-gardens, but identified with the Greek Aphrodite:
beauty and love deified: sexual commerce, venery: the most brilliant of the
planets, second in order from the sun.--VENUS'S FLOWER-BASKET, a beautiful
glass sponge; VENUS'S FLY-TRAP (see DIONÆA); VENUS'S GIRDLE, a tæniate
ctenophoran.--MOUNT OF VENUS (_palm._), the elevation at the base of the
thumb. [L., orig. personified from _venus_, desire; akin to _vener[=a]ri_,
to worship.]
VERACIOUS, ve-r[=a]'shus, _adj._ truthful: true.--_adv._
VER[=A]'CIOUSLY.--_n._ VERAC'ITY, the quality of being veracious: habitual
truthfulness: truth. [L. _verax_, _veracis_--_verus_, true.]
VERANDA, VERANDAH, ve-ran'da, _n._ a kind of covered balcony or open
portico, with a roof sloping beyond the main building, supported by light
pillars. [Hind. _varand[=a]_, perh. from Pers. _bar[=a]madah_, a
porch--_bar_, up, _[=a]madan_, to come; by others derived from Old Port,
_varanda_, a balcony--_vara_, a rod--L. _vara_, a rod.]
VERATRUM, v[=e]-r[=a]'trum, _n._ hellebore.--_adj._ VER[=A]'TRIC.--_ns._
VER[=A]'TRIN, -E, a poisonous ointment used to relieve neuralgia.--_v.t._
VER[=A]'TRISE, to poison with veratrin. [L.]
VERB, verb, _n._ (_gram._) the part of speech which asserts or predicates
something.--_adj._ VER'BAL, relating to or consisting in words: spoken (as
opposed to _written_): exact in words: attending to words only: literal,
word for word: derived directly from a verb.--_n._ a part of speech, a noun
derived from a verb.--_n._ VERBALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ VER'BALISE, to turn
into a verb.--_ns._ VER'BALISM, something expressed in words or orally;
VER'BALIST, one skilled in words: a literalist; VERBAL'ITY.--_adv._
VER'BALLY.--_ns._ VERB[=A]'RIAN, a coiner of words; VERB[=A]'RIUM, a game
played with the letters of the alphabet.--_adv._ VERB[=A]'TIM, word for
word: (_Shak._) orally, verbally.--_ns._ VER'BI[=A]GE, abundance of words:
wordiness: verbosity; VER'BICIDE, the perversion of a word, as if the
killing of its natural meaning: one who so mangles words, a punster;
VER'BICULTURE, the deliberate cultivation or production of words;
VERBIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of verbifying.--_v.t._ VER'BIFY, to
verbalise.--_ns._ VERBIGER[=A]'TION, the morbid and purposeless repetition
of certain words and phrases at short intervals; VER'BO-M[=A]'NIAC, one
crazy about words and their study, a dictionary-maker.--_adj._ VERB[=O]SE',
containing more words than are necessary: wordy: diffuse.--_adv._
VERB[=O]SE'LY.--_ns._ VERB[=O]SE'NESS, VERBOS'ITY.--VERBAL DEFINITION, a
definition intended to state the meaning of a word, apart from the essence
of the thing signified; VERBAL INSPIRATION, that view which regards Holy
Scripture as _literally_ inspired; VERBAL NOTE, in diplomacy, an unsigned
memorandum calling attention to a neglected, though perhaps not urgent,
matter. [Fr. _verbe_--L. _verbum_.]
VERBENA, ver-b[=e]'na, _n._ a genus of plants of natural order
_Verbenaceæ_, cultivated for their fragrance or beauty: vervain.--_adj._
VERBEN[=A]'CEOUS. [L. _verbenæ_, leaves, twigs, &c.]
VERBERATE, ver'b[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to strike.--_n._ VERBER[=A]'TION. [L.
_verber[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to scourge.]
VERDANT, v[.e]r'dant, _adj._ green: fresh (as grass or foliage):
flourishing: inexperienced: ignorant.--_n._ VER'DANCY.--_adv._
VER'DANTLY.--_ns._ VER'DERER, -OR, an officer in the old English royal
forests who had charge of the vert (q.v.); VER'D[=U]RE, greenness:
freshness of growth.--_v.t._ to cover with verdure.--_adjs._ VER'D[=U]RED;
VER'D[=U]RELESS; VER'D[=U]ROUS. [Fr. _verdoyant_--L. _viridans_, _-antis_,
pr.p. of _virid[=a]re_, to grow green--_viridis_, green--_vir[=e]re_, to be
green.]
VERDE-ANTIQUE, verd-an-t[=e]k', _n._ a beautiful stone of a dark-green
colour with patches of white, and sometimes black and red--a mixture of
serpentine with limestone dolomite or magnesite, much prized by the ancient
Romans. [O. Fr.]
VERDICT, ver'dikt, _n._ the finding of a jury on a trial: decision: opinion
pronounced.--OPEN VERDICT, a verdict upon an inquest which finds that a
crime has been committed without specifying the criminal; SPECIAL VERDICT,
a verdict in which specific facts are found and put on the record. [O. Fr.
_verdit_--Low L. _veredictum_--L. _vere_, truly, _dictum_, a saying.]
VERDIGRIS, ver'di-gris, _n._ a basic acetate of copper, the greenish rust
of copper, brass, or bronze: a bluish-green paint got artificially from
copper-plates.--_v.t._ to coat with verdigris.--Also VER'DEGRIS. [M. E.
_verdegrese_, _verte grece_--O. Fr. _verd (vert) de gris_--_verd_, green,
_de_, of, _Gris_, Greeks--L. _Græcus_, Greek. _Vert de gris_ has been
wrongly explained as 'green of gray'--_gris_, gray, or as 'green of
copper'--L. _æs_, _æris_, copper.]
VERDITER, ver'di-t[.e]r, _n._ a light-blue pigment, essentially a hydrated
cupric carbonate--_Green verditer_ is the blue pigment changed to green by
boiling. [A corr. of Fr. _verd-de-terre_=earth green.]
VERDOY, ver'doi, _adj._ (_her._) charged with flowers, leaves, or vegetable
charges, as a bordure. [Fr. _verd_, green.]
VERDUN, ver-dun', _n._ a 16th-cent. form of rapier. [From the French town
_Verdun_.]
VERECUND, ver'[=e]-kund, _adj._ (_obs._) modest.--_adj._
VERECUN'DIOUS.--_n._ VERECUN'DITY.
VERETILLIFORM, ver-e-til'i-form, _adj._ rod-like, virgate.--Also
VERETILL'EOUS.
VERGE, verj, _n._ a slender green branch, a twig: a rod, staff, or mace, or
anything like them, used as an emblem of authority: extent of jurisdiction
(esp. of the lord-steward of the royal household): the brink, extreme edge:
the horizon: a boundary, limit: scope, opportunity: in gardening, the grass
edging of a bed or border.--_ns._ VER'GER, one who carries a verge or
emblem of authority: the beadle of a cathedral church: a pew-opener or
attendant in church; VER'GERSHIP; VERGETTE' (_her._), a pallet. [L.
_virga_, a slender branch.]
VERGE, verj, _v.i._ to bend or incline: to tend downward: to slope: to
tend: to border upon.--_n._ VER'GENCY.--_adj._ VER'GENT. [L. _verg[)e]re_,
to bend, incline; cf. _valgus_, wry.]
VERIDICAL, v[=e]-rid'i-kal, _adj._ truthful, truth-telling: true.--_adv._
VERID'ICALLY.--_adj._ VERID'ICOUS, truthful. [L. _verus_, true,
_dic[)e]re_, to say.]
VERIEST. See VERY.
VERIFY, ver'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make out or show to be true: to establish
the truth of by evidence: to fulfil: to confirm the truth or authenticity
of: (_Shak._) to affirm, support, strengthen:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._
ver'if[=i]ed.--_n._ VERIF[=I]ABIL'ITY.--_adj._ VER'IF[=I]ABLE, that may be
verified, proved, or confirmed.--_ns._ VERIFIC[=A]'TION, a verifying or
proving to be true: the state of being verified; VER'IF[=I]ER. [L. _verus_,
true, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]
VERILY, ver'i-li, _adv._ truly: certainly: really.
VERISIMILAR, ver-i-sim'i-lar, _adj._ truth-like: likely: probable.--_adv._
VERISIM'ILARLY.--_ns._ VERISIMIL'ITUDE, similitude or likeness to truth:
likelihood; VERISIMIL'ITY (_obs._).--_adj._ VERISIM'ILOUS. [L.
_verisimilis_--_verus_, true, _similis_, like.]
VERITY, ver'i-ti, _n._ the quality of being true or real: truth: a true
assertion or tenet: (_Shak._) honesty:--_pl._ VER'ITIES.--_adj._
VER'ITABLE, true: according to fact: real: actual.--_adv._ VER'ITABLY.--OF
A VERITY, certainly. [L. _veritas_--_verus_, true.]
VERJUICE, ver'j[=oo]s, _n._ the expressed juice of green or unripe fruit:
sourness of temper.--_v.t._ to make sour or acid. [Fr. _verjus_--_vert_,
green (cf. _Verdant_), and Fr. _jus_, juice.]
VERMEIL, VERMIL, ver'mil, _n._ (_Spens._) same as VERMILION:
silver-gilt.--_adj._ VER'MEIL-TINC'TURED (_Milt._), tinged bright-red.
[Illustration]
VERMES, ver'm[=e]z, _n.pl._ worms: the name given by Linnæus to one of the
classes in his zoological system, in which he included all the invertebrate
animals, other than Insecta, whether of worm-like form or not.--_ns._
VERMEOL'OGIST, one skilled in vermeology; VERMEOL'OGY, the knowledge of
worms, helminthology.--_adjs._ VER'MIAN, VERMI'CEOUS, worm-like;
VER'MICIDAL, destroying worms.--_n._ VER'MICIDE, a worm-killer.--_adjs._
VERMIC'[=U]LAR, VERMIC'[=U]LATE, -D, pertaining to or like a worm (esp. in
its motion): inlaid or formed so as to imitate the track of worms: crawling
like a worm.--_v.t._ VERMIC'[=U]LATE, to form inlaid work which resembles
the motion or track of worms.--_ns._ VERMICUL[=A]'TION; VER'MICULE, a
little worm.--_adjs._ VERMIC'ULOSE, VERMIC'ULOUS, wormy; VER'MIFORM, having
the form of a worm; VERMIF'UGAL, expelling worms.--_n._ VER'MIFUGE
(_med._), a substance that destroys intestinal worms or expels them from
the digestive canal.--_adjs._ VER'MIGRADE, wriggling like a worm;
VERMIV'OROUS, devouring worms, feeding on grubs. [L. _vermis_, a worm.]
VERMICELLI, ver-mi-chel'i, or -sel'i, _n._ the stiff paste or dough of fine
wheat-flour made into small worm-like or thread-like rolls. [It., pl. of
_vermicello_--L. _vermiculus_, dim. of _vermis_, worm.]
VERMILION, ver-mil'yun, _n._ a bright-red pigment obtained from cinnabar,
but generally made artificially from mercury and sulphur: any beautiful red
colour: (_obs._) the kermes or cochineal insect, also the product of
cochineal.--_adj._ of the colour of vermilion.--_v.t._ to dye vermilion: to
colour a delicate red.--_n._ VER'MILY (_Spens._), same as VERMILION. [O.
Fr. _vermillon_--_vermeil_--L. _vermiculus_, a little worm, hence (in the
Vulgate) the 'scarlet' worm, dim. of _vermis_, a worm.]
VERMIN, ver'min, _n.sing._ and _pl._ a worm: a name for all obnoxious
insects, as bugs, fleas, and lice; troublesome animals, such as mice, rats;
animals destructive to game, such as weasels, polecats, also hawks and
owls: any contemptible person, or such collectively.--_v.i._ VER'MIN[=A]TE,
to breed vermin.--_ns._ VERMIN[=A]'TION; VER'MIN-KILL'ER.--_adj._
VER'MINOUS, infested with worms: like vermin.--_adv._ VER'MINOUSLY. [Fr.
_vermine_--L. _vermis_, a worm.]
VERMUTH, VERMOUTH, ver'mooth, _n._ a mild cordial consisting of white wine
flavoured with wormwood, used as a stimulant for the appetite. [Ger.
_wermuth_, wormwood; cf. A.S. _werm[=o]d_.]
VERNACULAR, ver-nak'[=u]-lar, _adj._ native: belonging to the country of
one's birth.--_n._ one's mother-tongue.--_n._ VERNACULARIS[=A]'TION, the
act of making vernacular.--_v.t._ VERNAC'ULARISE, to make
vernacular.--_ns._ VERNAC'ULARISM, a vernacular word or idiom, the use of
such; VERNACULAR'ITY, an idiom.--_adv._ VERNAC'ULARLY.--_v.t._
VERNAC'ULATE, to express in a vernacular idiom.--_adj._ VERNAC'ULOUS,
scurrilous. [L. _vernaculus_--_verna_, a home-born slave.]
VERNAL, ver'nal, _adj._ belonging to the spring: appearing in spring:
belonging to youth.--_adv._ VER'NALLY.--_adj._ VER'NANT (_Milt._),
flourishing as in spring.--_v.i._ VER'N[=A]TE, to flourish.--_n._
VERN[=A]'TION, the particular manner of arrangement of leaves in the
bud.--VERNAL EQUINOX, the equinox on or about 21st March (see EQUINOX);
VERNAL GRASS, a common British meadow grass about a foot high, and sown
among hay for its flavour and agreeable odour. [L. _vernalis_--_ver_,
spring.]
VERNER'S LAW. See LAW.
VERNIER, ver'ni-[.e]r, _n._ a contrivance for measuring very small
intervals, consisting of a short scale made to slide along a graduated
instrument. [So called from Pierre _Vernier_ (1580-1637) of Brussels, its
inventor.]
VERONESE, ver-[=o]-n[=e]s', or -n[=e]z', _n._ of or pertaining to _Verona_
in Italy.--_n._ an inhabitant of VERONA.
VERONICA, v[=e]-ron'i-ka, _n._ a portrait of our Saviour's face on a
handkerchief--from the legend that St Veronica wiped the sweat from the
face of Jesus, on His way to Calvary, with her handkerchief, whereupon His
features were impressed on the cloth: a genus of plants, popularly known as
Speedwell. [_Veronica_, not L. _vera_, true, Gr. _eik[=o]n_, image, but
identical with _Beren[=i]c[=e]_, the traditional name of the woman cured of
the issue of blood--a corr. of Gr. _pherenik[=e]_, victorious--_pherein_,
to bear, _nik[=e]_, victory.]
VERRÉ, VERREY, ve-r[=a]', _adj._ Same as VAIRÉ.
VERREL, ver'el, _n._ a corruption of _ferrule_.
VERRICULE, ver'i-k[=u]l, _n._ a tuft of upright hairs. [L. _verriculum_, a
net.]
VERRUCA, ve-r[=u]'ka, _n._ a wart, a glandular elevation: one of the
wart-like sessile apothecia of some lichens.--_adjs._ VERR[=U]'CIFORM,
warty; VER'R[=U]COSE, VER'R[=U]COUS, covered with little knobs or wart-like
prominences: warty; VERR[=U]'CULOSE, minutely verrucose. [L. _verruca_, a
wart.]
VERRUGAS, ve-r[=oo]'gas, _n._ an endemic disease of Peru, characterised by
warty tumours on the skin. [Sp.,--L. _verruca_, a wart.]
VERSABILITY, ver-sa-bil'i-ti, _n._ aptness to be turned round.--_adj._
VER'SABLE.--_n._ VER'SABLENESS. [L. _vers[=a]re_, to whirl about.]
VERSAL, ver'sal, _adj._ (_Shak._) abbrev. of _universal_.
VERSANT, ver'sant, _adj._ familiar, conversant: (_her._) with wings erect
and open.--_n._ the general slope of surface of a country. [Fr.,--L.
_vers[=a]re_, to whirl about.]
VERSATILE, ver'sa-til, _adj._ capable of being moved or turned round:
changeable: unsteady: turning easily from one thing to another: (_bot._)
swinging freely on a support: (_ornith._) reversible, of toes.--_adv._
VER'SATILELY.--_ns._ VER'SATILENESS, VERSATIL'ITY, the quality of being
versatile: changeableness: the faculty of turning easily to new tasks or
subjects. [Fr.,--L. _versatilis_--_vers[=a]re_, freq. of _vert[)e]re_, to
turn.]
VERSE, vers, _n._ a line of poetry: metrical arrangement and language:
poetry: a stanza: a short division of any composition, esp. of the chapters
of the Bible, originally confined to the metrical books, applied first to
whole Bible in 1528: (_mus._) a portion of an anthem to be performed by a
single voice to each part.--_v.t._ to relate in verse.--_ns._
VERS-DE-SOCIÉTÉ (same as SOCIETY-VERSE; see under SOCIABLE); VERSE'LET;
VERSE-M[=A]'KER; VERSE-M[=A]'KING; VERSE'-MAN, a writer of verses;
VERSE'-MONG'ER, a scribbler of verses; VERSE'-MONG'ERING, verse-writing,
esp. of poor verses; VER'SER, a versifier; VER'SET (_mus._), a very short
organ interlude or prelude; VER'SICLE, a little verse: in liturgy, the
verse said by the officiant.--_adj._ VERSIC'[=U]LAR, pertaining to
verses.--_ns._ VERSIFIC[=A]'TION, the act, art, or practice of composing
metrical verses; VER'SIFIC[=A]TOR, VER'SIFIC[=A]TRIX, a male, female, maker
of verses; VER'SIF[=I]ER.--_v.i._ VER'SIFY, to make verses.--_v.t._ to
relate in verse: to turn into verse:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._
ver'sif[=i]ed.--_n._ VER'SION, the act of translating or turning from one
language into another: that which is translated from one language into
another: account: statement: a school exercise, generally of composition in
a foreign language.--_adj._ VER'SIONAL, pertaining to a version or
translation.--_n._ VER'SIONIST, a translator.--_adj._ VER'S[=U]AL, of the
character of a verse, pertaining to verses or short paragraphs. [A.S.
_fers_--L. _versus_, _vorsus_, a line, furrow, turning--_vert[)e]re_, to
turn; influenced by O. Fr. _vers_.]
VERSED, verst, _adj._ thoroughly acquainted, skilled (fol. by _in_):
(_math._) reversed.--_adj._ VERSÉ (_her._), reversed or turned in an
unusual direction.--Also RENVERSE. [Fr. _versé_--L. _versatus_, pa.p. of
_vers[=a]ri_, to turn round.]
VERSICOLOUR, ver'si-kul-ur, _adj._ having diverse or having changeable
colours.--Also VERSICOL'OURED. [L. _vers[=a]re_, to change, and colour.]
VERSIFORM, ver'si-form, _adj._ varying in form.
VERSO, ver's[=o], _n._ a left-hand page: the reverse of a coin or medal.
VERST, verst, _n._ a Russian mile, 3500 feet in length, or almost
two-thirds of an English mile. [Russ. _versta_, a verst; perh.
_vertiet[)i]_, to turn, cog. with L. _vert[)e]re_, to turn.]
VERSUS, ver'sus, _prep._ against, in legal phraseology--abbreviated _v._
and _vs._ [L.]
VERSUTE, ver-s[=u]t, _adj._ crafty, wily.
VERT, vert, _n._ in forest law, every green leaf or plant having green
leaves which may serve as a covert for deer: a power to cut green trees or
wood: (_her._) a green colour represented by parallel lines sloping
diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base. [Fr. _vert_--L.
_viridis_, green.]
VERT, vert, _n._ a familiar word for _convert_ or _pervert_.--_v.i._ to
become such.
VERTEBRA, ver't[=e]-bra, _n._ one of the segmented portions of the spinal
column:--_pl._ VERTEBRÆ (ver'te-br[=e]).--_adj._ VER'TEBRAL.--_adv._
VER'TEBRALLY.--_n.pl._ VERTEBR[=A]'TA, a division of the animal kingdom
containing all animals having a backbone or its equivalent.--_n._
VER'TEBR[=A]TE, an animal having an internal skeleton with a
backbone.--_adjs._ VER'TEBR[=A]TE, -D, furnished with joints: having a
backbone.--_n._ VERTEBR[=A]'TION, the formation of vertebræ;.
[L.,--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]
VERTEX, v[.e]r'teks, _n._ the top or summit: the point of a cone, pyramid,
or angle; (_astron._) the zenith: (_anat._) the crown of the head:--_pl._
VER'TICES.--_adj._ VER'TICAL, pertaining to the vertex: placed in the
zenith: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon.--_n._ a vertical
line.--_adv._ VER'TICALLY.--_n._ VER'TICALNESS.--VERTICAL ANGLES, opposite
angles formed by intersecting lines; VERTICAL CIRCLE, a great circle of the
heavens passing through the zenith and the nadir. [L., eddy,
summit--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]
VERTICILLATE, ver-ti-sil'[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) arranged round the stalk in
a ring or whorl, as leaves or flowers, whorled.--_n._ VER'TICIL, a whorl.
[Low L. _verticillatus_--_verticillus_, dim. of _vertex_.]
VERTIGO, ver'ti-g[=o], or ver-t[=i]'g[=o], _n._ a sensation of giddiness:
dizziness.--_adjs._ VERTIGINATE (ver-tij'-), VERTIG'INOUS, turning round:
affected with vertigo: giddy.--_adv._ VERTIG'INOUSLY.--_n._
VERTIG'INOUSNESS. [L.,--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]
VERTU, old spelling of virtue.--_adj._ VER'TUOUS (_Spens._), possessing
virtue or power.
VERTUMNUS, ver-tum'nus, _n._ an ancient Roman divinity of gardens and
orchards, a spring god.
VERULAMIAN, v[.e]r-[=u]-l[=a]'mi-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to St Albans,
or Francis Bacon, Baron _Verulam_, Viscount St Albans (1561-1626). [L.
_Verulamium_, an ancient British city near the site of St Albans.]
VERULED, ver'[=oo]ld, _adj._ (_her._) ringed, as a horn, in a different
tincture.--_n._ VER'ULES (_her._), a bearing consisting of a series of
concentric rings, one within another. [_Virole_.]
VERVAIN, ver'v[=a]n, _n._ a plant of the genus _Verbena_--credited with
efficacy in love-philtres, good against witches, &c. [O. Fr. _verveine_--L.
_verb[=e]na_.]
VERVE, verv, _n._ the enthusiasm which animates a poet or artist:
animation: energy. [Fr.]
VERVELLE, ver-vel', _n._ the loop that secured the camail in medieval
armour. [Fr.]
VERVELS, verv'elz, _n.pl._ small rings attached to the ends of the jesses
of a hawk, through which the leash is passed that fastens the hawk to its
block.--_adj._ VERV'ELLED. [Fr. _vervelle_.]
VERVET, ver'vet, _n._ a South African monkey.
VERY, ver'i, _adj._ true (now used chiefly in an intensive sense): real (so
in _B._): actual--sometimes used in superlative form VER'IEST.--_adv._ in a
high degree.--IN VERY DEED, of a truth, certainly. [Older form _veray_--O.
Fr. _verai_ (Fr. _vrai_), from L. _verax_, _veracis_, speaking
truly--_verus_, true; cf. Ger. _wahr_.]
VESALIAN, v[=e]-s[=a]'li-an, _adj._ connected with the name of the
anatomist Andreas _Vesalius_ (1514-64).
VESANIA, v[=e]-s[=a]'ni-a, _n._ insanity.
VESICA, v[=e]-s[=i]'ka, _n._ (_anat._) a bladder, sac, esp. the urinary
bladder:--_pl._ VESICÆ (v[=e]-s[=i]'s[=e]).--_adjs._ VES'ICAL, of or
pertaining to a vesica; VES'ICANT, blistering.--_n._ a substance that
vesicates or raises blisters.--_v.t._ VES'IC[=A]TE, to raise blisters
on:--_pr.p._ ves'ic[=a]ting; _pa.p._ ves'ic[=a]ted.--_ns._ VESIC[=A]'TION,
the act or process of raising blisters on the skin; VES'IC[=A]TORY (same as
VESICANT); VES'ICLE, a small bladder or blister: a small cavity in an
animal body; (_bot._) a bladder-like cell; V[=E]SIC'[=U]LA, a
vesicle.--_adj._ V[=E]SIC'ULAR.--_adv._ V[=E]SIC'[=U]LARLY.--_n._
V[=E]SIC[=U]L[=A]'TION, formation of vesicles.--_adjs._
V[=E]SIC[=U]LIF'EROUS, bearing vesicles; V[=E]SIC'[=U]LIFORM;
V[=E]SIC'[=U]LOSE, V[=E]SIC'[=U]LOUS, V[=E]SIC'[=U]L[=A]TE, pertaining to
or full of vesicles: full of interstices: having little glands on the
surface.--VESICA PISCIS (a fish's bladder), a symbol of Christ, an oval
aureole surrounding the entire upright figure, supposed to contain an
allusion to the sacred Christian emblem, the _ichthys_. [L., bladder.]
VESPER, ves'p[.e]r, _n._ the evening star, Venus: the evening: (_pl._) the
last but one of the seven canonical hours: evensong, evening service
generally.--_adj._ VES'PERAL, pertaining to the evening or to
vespers.--_n._ VES'PER-BELL, the bell that summons to vespers.--_adjs._
VES'PERTINE, VES'PERTINAL, of or pertaining to the evening: (_bot._)
opening in the evening: (_zool._) active in the evening.--SICILIAN VESPERS
(see SICILIAN). [Fr.,--L.; Gr. _hesperos_.]
VESPERTILIO, ves-p[.e]r-til'i-[=o], _n._ a Linnæan genus of mammals, of
order _Primates_--the modern order _Chiroptera_.--_adj._ VESPERTIL'IONINE.
VESPIARY, ves'pi-a-ri, _n._ a hornet's nest.--_adj._ VES'PIFORM, VES'PINE,
wasp-like.
VESSEL, ves'el, _n._ a vase or utensil for holding something: a hollow
structure made to float on water, used for conveyance, &c.: a tube in which
fluids, as blood, &c., are contained: a person considered as an agent of
God.--THE WEAKER VESSEL, a phrase colloquially applied to a woman, in
allusion to 1 Pet. iii. 7. [O. Fr. _vessel_ (Fr. _vaisseau_)--L.
_vascellum_, dim. of _vas_, a vase.]
VEST, vest, _n._ that which is put on as dress: a garment: a waistcoat:
formerly a cassock-like garment: a kind of close jacket worn by women, an
extra piece or trimming on the front of the bodice of a woman's gown, often
V-shaped: a knitted or woven undergarment: (_arch._) a vestment.--_v.t._ to
clothe: to invest: (_law_) to give fixed right of possession.-_v.i._ to
descend or to take effect, as a right.--_adj._ VES'TED, clothed, wearing
robes of ceremony: not contingent or suspended, hence (_law_) already
acquired: denoting a present absolute right.--_n._ VES'TIARY (_obs._), a
wardrobe: (_rare_) garb, clothing:--_pl._ VES'TIARIES.--_n._ VES'TING,
cloth for men's waistcoats.--VEST IN INTEREST, to devolve as matter of
right without reference to immediate right of possession. [Fr. _veste_--L.
_vestis_.]
VESTA, ves'ta, _n._ among the Romans, the chaste goddess that presided over
the family, in whose temple the sacred fire was continually kept burning:
the fourth planetoid discovered in 1807: a match or waxlight:--_pl._
VES'TAS.--_adj._ VES'TAL, pertaining to or consecrated to the service of
Vesta: chaste: pure.--_n._ in the ancient Roman religion, one of the six
patrician virgins consecrated to Vesta: a virgin, a nun, a woman of
spotless chastity.
VESTIBULE, ves'ti-b[=u]l, _n._ an open court or porch before a house: a
hall next the entrance to a house: (_anat._) a small bony cavity forming
part of the ear--also VESTIB'-[=U]LUM.--_v.t._ to furnish with a
vestibule.--_adjs._ VESTIB'[=U]LAR, VESTIB'[=U]L[=A]TE. [Fr.,--L.
_vestibulum_--traced by some to _ve_, apart, _stabulum_, abode; by others
to _vestis_, garment, as being the place where the outer clothing is put on
or off in entering or leaving a house.]
VESTIGE, ves'tij, _n._ a track or footprint: traces or remains of
something: (_biol._) an organ or tissue which still survives but has lost
the utility it possessed, but corresponding to a useful part in an organism
of lower type.--_adjs._ VESTI'GIAL, VESTI'GIARY.--_n._ VESTI'GIUM (_anat._,
_biol._), a vestige. [Fr.,--L. _vestigium_--_vestig[=a]re_, to track.]
VESTIMENT, ves'ti-ment, _n._ (_Spens._)=_Vestment_.
VESTITURE, ves'ti-t[=u]r, _n._ the hairs, scales, &c. covering a surface.
VESTLET, vest'let, _n._ a tubicolous sea-anemone of genus _Cerianthus_.
VESTMENT, vest'ment, _n._ something put on, a garment: a long outer robe:
(_pl._) articles of dress worn by the clergy during divine service and the
administration of the sacraments--_amice_, _alb_, _girdle_, _maniple_,
_stole_, _chasuble_, &c.: covering of the altar. [L.
_vestimentum_--_vest[=i]re_, to clothe--_vestis_, a garment.]
VESTRY, ves'tri, _n._ a room adjoining a church in which the vestments are
kept and parochial meetings held, any small room attached to a church: in
English parishes, a meeting of the ratepayers to elect parish officers, to
assess church-rates, and to manage the property of the parish, the
incumbent acting as chairman.--_adj._ VES'TRAL.--_ns._ VES'TRY-CLERK, an
officer chosen by the vestry who keeps the parish accounts and books;
VES'TRYMAN, a member of a vestry.--SELECT VESTRY, a board consisting of
representatives of the ratepayers, as opposed to the _common vestry_ or
assembly of all the ratepayers. [Fr.,--L. _vestiarium_--_vestiarius_,
belonging to clothes--_vestis_, a garment.]
VESTURE, ves't[=u]r, _n._ clothing: dress: a robe: integument.--_v.t._ to
clothe, robe.--_adjs._ VES'T[=U]RAL; VES'T[=U]RED.--_n._ VES'T[=U]RER, one
who has charge of ecclesiastical vestments.
VESUVIAN, v[=e]-s[=u]'vi-an, _adj._ pertaining or relating to _Vesuvius_, a
volcano near Naples.--_n._ a kind of match used in lighting cigars,
&c.--_n._ VES[=U]'VIAN[=I]TE, a mineral allied to garnet, sometimes called
pyramidal garnet, found in volcanic and primitive rocks, and so called
because frequent in masses ejected from Vesuvius--also Idocrase.--_v.t._
VES[=U]'VIATE, to burst forth like an eruption.
VET., vet, _n._ (_coll._) an abbreviation from _veterinary_ (_surgeon_).
VETCH, vech, _n._ a genus of plants, mostly climbing, some cultivated for
fodder, esp. the tare.--_n._ VETCH'LING, a name of various vetch-like
plants.--_adj._ VETCH'Y, abounding with vetches: (_Spens._) consisting of
vetches. [O.Fr. _veche_ (Fr. _vesce_)--L. _vicia_, akin to _vinc[=i]re_, to
bind.]
VETERAN, vet'e-ran, _adj._ old, experienced: long exercised, esp. in
military life.--_n._ one long exercised in any service, esp. in
war.--_v.t._ VET'ERANISE, to make veteran.--_v.i._ (_U.S._) to re-enlist
for military service. [L. _veteranus_--_vetus_, _veteris_, old.]
VETERINARY, vet'e-ri-na-ri, _adj._ pertaining to the art of treating the
diseases of domestic animals: professing or practising this art.--_n._ one
skilled in the diseases of domestic animals.--Also VETERIN[=A]'RIAN. [L.
_veterinarius_--_veterina_ (_bestia_), a beast of burden.]
VETIVER, vet'i-v[.e]r, _n._ the dried roots of the cuscus-grass, with an
odour like sandalwood--making baskets, fans, and mats,
VETO, v[=e]'t[=o], _n._ any authoritative prohibition: the power of
rejecting or forbidding:--_pl._ VETOES (v[=e]'t[=o]z).--_v.t._ to reject by
a veto: to withhold assent to.--ABSOLUTE VETO, a veto without restriction.
[L. _vet[=a]re_, to forbid.]
VETTURA, vet-t[=oo]'ra, _n._ an Italian four-wheeled carriage.--_n._
VETTURINO (vet-t[=oo]-r[=e]'n[=o]), one who drives or lends for hire a
vettura:--_pl._ VETTURI'NI. [It.,--L. _vectura_, a carrying--_veh[)e]re_,
to convey.]