VIRELAY, vir'e-l[=a], _n._ an ancient kind of French poem in short lines,
and consisting of only two rhymes, their order as well as the length of the
verses being arbitrary. [Fr. _virelai_--_virer_, to turn, _lai_, a song.]
VIREO, vir'[=e]-[=o], _n._ a genus of American singing birds, the
greenlets. [L.]
VIRESCENT, v[=i]-res'ent, _adj._ growing green, greenish.--_n._
VIRES'CENCE, greenness: (_bot._) the turning green of organs properly
bright-coloured. [L., pr.p. of _vir[=e]re_, to be green.]
VIRGATE, v[.e]r'g[=a]t, _adj._ like a wand or rod: slender, straight.--_n._
an old English measure of surface. [L. _virga_, a rod.]
VIRGILIAN, v[.e]r-jil'i-an, _adj._ relating to or resembling the style of
_Virgil_, the Roman poet (70-21 B.C.).
VIRGIN, v[.e]r'jin, _n._ a maiden: a woman who has had no sexual
intercourse with man: one devoted to virginity: a madonna, a figure of the
Virgin: a person of either sex who has not known sexual intercourse: any
female animal that has not copulated: a parthenogenetic insect: (_astron._)
Virgo, one of the signs of the zodiac.--_adj._ becoming a maiden: maidenly:
pure: chaste: undefiled: fresh, new: parthenogenetic.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to
continue chaste.--_adj._ VIR'GINAL, maidenly: (_zool._)
parthenogenetic.--_n._ VIRGIN[=A]'LE, a book of prayers and hymns to the
Virgin Mary.--_adj._ VIR'GIN-BORN, born of the VIRGIN, of Jesus Christ:
(_zool._) born by internal gemmation without impregnation.--_ns._
VIRGIN'ITY, VIR'GINHOOD, the state of a virgin; VIR'GIN-KNOT (_Shak._),
maidenly chastity, in reference to the unloosing of the girdles of Greek
and Roman maidens on marriage.--_adj._ VIR'GINLY, pure.--_adv._
chastely.--_ns._ VIR'GIN'S-BOW'ER, a species of clematis, hedge-vine;
VIR'GIN-WOR'SHIP, adoration of the Virgin Mary; VIR'GO, the Virgin, in the
zodiac.--VIRGIN BIRTH, GENERATION, parthenogenesis; VIRGIN CLAY, in
pottery, &c., clay which has never been fired.--THE VIRGIN, THE BLESSED
VIRGIN, the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. [O, Fr.,--L. _virgo_,
_virginis_.]
VIRGINAL, v[.e]r'jin-al, _n._ an old keyed musical instrument, oblong in
shape, one of the three forms of the harpsichord.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to
finger, as on a virginal.
VIRGINIA, v[.e]r-jin'i-a, _n._ a well-known brand of tobacco, grown and
manufactured in _Virginia_.--_n._ VIRGIN'IA-CREEP'ER, an American climbing
vine, common in the south of England, remarkable for the bright-red colour
it assumes in autumn.--_adj._ VIRGIN'IAN, pertaining to Virginia.--_n._ a
native of Virginia.
VIRGULE, v[.e]r'g[=u]l, _n._ a little rod: a mark of punctuation, a
comma.--_adj._ VIR'G[=U]L[=A]TE, rod-shaped.--_n._ VIRGUL'TUM, a twig. [L.
_virgula_--_virga_, a twig.]
VIRID, vir'id, _adj._ green.--_n._ VIRID'IAN, a deep and pure bluish-green
pigment, being a hydrated sesquioxide of chromium.--_adj._ VIRIDIGENOUS
(-ij'-), producing a green tint.--_ns._ VIRID'ITY, VIR'IDNESS, verdure:
greenness. [L., _viridis_, green--_vir[=e]re_, to be green.]
VIRIDESCENT, vir-i-des'ent, _adj._ slightly green: greenish.--_n._
VIRIDES'CENCE. [L. _viridis_, green.]
VIRILE, vir'il, or v[=i]'ril, _adj._ of or belonging to a man or to the
male sex: masculine: manly.--_n._ VIRIL'ITY, the state or quality of being
a man: the power of a full-grown male: the power of procreation: manhood.
[L. _virilis_--_vir_, a man; cog. with Gr. _h[=e]r[=o]s_, a hero, Old High
Ger. _wer_, a man.]
VIROLE, vi-r[=o]l', _n._ a ferrule: (_her._) a hoop or ring. [O. Fr.; a
doublet of _ferrule_.]
VIRTU, v[.e]r't[=oo], or -t[=oo]', _n._ a love of the fine arts: taste for
curiosities: objects of art or antiquity.--_adjs._ VIRTUOSE',
VIRTU[=O]'SIC, exhibiting the qualities and skill of a virtuoso.--_ns._
VIRTUOS'ITY, lovers of the elegant arts as a class: exceptional skill in
some of the fine arts; VIRTU[=O]'S[=O], one skilled in the fine arts, in
antiquities, curiosities, and the like: a skilful musician, painter, &c.
(_pl._ VIRTU[=O]'S[=O]S, VIRTU[=O]'SI):--_fem._ VIRTU[=O]'SA (_pl._
VIRTU[=O]'SE, -se); VIRTU[=O]'S[=O]SHIP. [It.; a doublet of _virtue_.]
VIRTUE, v[.e]r'tu, _n._ excellence: worth: moral excellence: the practice
of duty: a moral excellence: sexual purity, esp. female chastity: purity:
(_B._) strength: force: inherent power, efficacy: one of the orders of the
celestial hierarchy.--_adj._ VIR'TUAL, having virtue or efficacy: having
the efficacy without the material part: in effect though not in fact:
(_mech._) possible and infinitesimal.--_adv._ VIR'TUALLY.--_adjs._
VIR'TUELESS, wanting virtue: without efficacy; VIR'TUE-PROOF (_Milt._),
impregnable in virtue; VIR'TUOUS, having virtue or moral goodness:
blameless: righteous: practising duty: being according to the moral law:
chaste (of a woman).--_adv._ VIR'TUOUSLY.--_n._ VIR'TUOUSNESS.--BY, IN,
VIRTUE OF, through the power, force, or efficacy of; MAKE A VIRTUE OF
NECESSITY, to do as if from inclination or sense of duty something one must
needs do; SEVEN PRINCIPAL VIRTUES, faith, hope, charity, justice, prudence,
temperance, and fortitude--the first three the _theological_, the last four
the _moral_ virtues; THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (see CARDINAL). [O. Fr.,--L.
_virtus_, bravery, moral excellence--_vir_, a man; cf. Gr. _h[=e]r[=o]s_,
Sans. _vira_, a hero.]
VIRULENT, vir'[=u]-lent, _adj._ full of poison: very active in injury:
bitter in enmity: malignant.--_ns._ VIR'ULENCE, VIR'ULENCY.--_adv._
VIR'ULENTLY. [L. _virulentus_--_virus_, poison.]
VIRUS, v[=i]'rus, _n._ contagious or poisonous matter (as of ulcers, &c.):
the poison which causes infection: any foul, hurtful matter.--_adjs._
V[=I]'ROSE, V[=I]'ROUS; VIR[=U]LIF'EROUS, bearing a specific virus. [L.;
cog. with Gr. _ios_, Sans. _visha_, poison.]
VIS, vis, _n._ force: power:--_pl._ V[=I]'RES.--VIS INERTIÆ, inertia:
sluggishness; VIS MORTUA, force of pressure, dead force; VIS VIVA, living
force, equal to the mass of a moving body multiplied by the square of its
velocity. [L.]
VISAGE, viz'[=a]j, _n._ the face or look.--_adj._ VIS'AGED. [Fr., through
an assumed form _visaticum_, from L. _visus_, seen--_vid[=e]re_, to see.]
VIS-À-VIS, v[=e]z'-a-v[=e]', _adv._ facing one another.--_n._ one who
faces, or is opposite to, another: a light carriage with seats facing each
other: a kind of couch. [Fr. _vis_, face (--L. _visus_, look), _à_, to,
_vis_, face.]
VISCACHA, vis-kach'a, _n._ a South American rodent of the Chinchilla
family, inhabiting the South American Pampas, of stout form and about
twenty inches in length, a gregarious burrower and nocturnal in
habits--also _Bizcacha_.--_n._ VISCACHERA (vis-ka-ch[=a]'ra), a settlement
of viscachas. [Sp.; prob. of Peruv. origin.]
VISCERA, vis'e-ra, _n.pl._ the inner parts of the animal body: the
entrails:--_sing._ VIS'CUS.--_adj._ VIS'CERAL, pertaining to the viscera:
abdominal.--_v.t._ VIS'CER[=A]TE, to disembowel. [L. _viscus_ (pl.
_viscera_).]
[Illustration]
VISCOUNT, v[=i]'kownt, _n._ an officer who formerly acted as deputy to the
earl, the _vice-comes_: a title of nobility next below an earl:--_fem._
V[=I]'SCOUNTESS.--_ns._ V[=I]'SCOUNTCY, V[=I]'SCOUNTSHIP, V[=I]'SCOUNTY,
the rank or dignity of a viscount. [O. Fr. _viscomte_ (Fr. _vicomte_)--Low
L. _vice-comes_--L. _vice_, in place of, _comes_, a companion.]
VISCOUS, vis'kus, _adj._ sticky: tenacious--also VIS'CID.--_ns._
VISCID'ITY, VIS'COUSNESS; VISCOS'ITY, the property of being viscous:
(_phys._) that property of matter which is seen when the relative motion of
parts of any body or substance decays on its being left to itself. [Low L.
_viscosus_, sticky--L. _viscum_, bird-lime, mistletoe; cog. with Gr.
_ixos_, mistletoe.]
VISCUM, vis'kum, _n._ a genus of parasitic plants, including the mistletoe.
[L.]
VISE. See VICE (1).
VISÉ, v[=e]-z[=a]', _n._ an indorsement on a passport denoting that it has
been officially examined, and that the bearer may proceed on his
journey.--_v.t._ to indorse a passport.--Also VISA (v[=e]'za). [Fr.,--Low
L. _vis[=a]re_, freq. of L. _vid[=e]re_, _visum_, to see.]
VISHNU, vish'n[=oo], _n._ the second god of the Hindu triad, now the most
worshipped of all Hindu gods. He became specially the benefactor of man in
his _avatars_ or incarnations, ten in number--according to others,
twenty-two. [Sans., 'the preserver.']
VISIBLE, viz'i-bl, _adj._ that may be seen: obvious.--_ns._ VISIBIL'ITY,
state or quality of being visible, or perceivable by the eye;
VIS'IBLENESS.--_adv._ VIS'IBLY.--VISIBLE CHURCH, the body of professing
Christians, as opposed to the _Invisible Church_, which consists of those
spiritual persons who fulfil the notion of the ideal Church, together with
the body of the departed saints in heaven; VISIBLE MEANS, means or
resources which are apparent to or ascertainable by others; VISIBLE SPEECH,
a system of alphabetic characters, each of which represents the
configuration of the mouth that produces the sound.
VISIGOTH, viz'i-goth, _n._ one of the Western Goths, as distinguished from
the Ostrogoths or Eastern Goths. They formed settlements in the south of
France and in Spain, and their kingdom in the latter lasted into the 8th
century.--_adj._ VISIGOTH'IC. [Low L. _Visegothæ_--Teut. _west_, west,
_Gothæ_, Goths.]
VISION, vizh'un, _n._ the act or sense of seeing: sight: anything seen:
anything imagined to be seen: a divine revelation: an apparition: anything
imaginary.--_v.t._ to see as a vision: to present as in a vision.--_n._
(_Scot._) VISIE (viz'i), a close look at anything.--_adj._ VIS'IONAL,
pertaining to a vision, not real.--_adv._ VIS'IONALLY.--_n._
VIS'IONARINESS.--_adj._ VIS'IONARY, affected by visions: apt to see
visions, imaginative: existing in imagination only: not real.--_n._ one who
sees visions: one who forms impracticable schemes.--_adj._ VIS'IONED
(_rare_), inspired so as to see visions: seen in a vision, spectral.--_n._
VIS'IONIST, a visionary person, one who believes in visions.--_adj._
VIS'IONLESS, destitute of vision.--BEATIFIC VISION (see BEATIFY); CENTRE,
POINT, OF VISION, the position from which anything is observed, or
represented as being seen. [Fr.,--L. _visio_, _visionis_--_vid[=e]re_,
_visum_, to see; cf. Gr. _idein_, Eng. _wit_.]
VISIT, viz'it, _v.t._ to go to see or inspect: to attend: enter, appear in:
to call on: (_B._) to reward or punish.--_v.i._ to be in the habit of
seeing or meeting each other: to keep up acquaintance.--_n._ act of
visiting or going to see.--_adjs._ VIS'ITABLE, subject to visitation:
attractive to visitors; VIS'ITANT, paying visits, visiting.--_n._ one who
visits: one who is a guest in the house of another: a migratory bird: one
of an order of nuns founded by St Francis de Sales in 1610, also called
_Salesians_, _Order_ (also _Nuns_) _of the Visitation_--the order has done
much in the education of young girls.--_n._ VISIT[=A]'TION, act of
visiting: examination by authority: a dispensation, whether of divine
favour or retribution: (_rare_) the object of a visit: the act of a naval
commander in boarding the vessel of another state to ascertain her
character and object: a visit of a herald to a district for the examination
of its arms, pedigrees, &c.: an unusual and extensive irruption of a
species of animals into another region: (_eccles._) a festival to
commemorate the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, observed by the
Roman and Greek Churches on 2d July.--_adjs._ VISIT[=A]T[=O]'RIAL,
VISIT[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ VIS'ITING, the act of paying visits: prompting,
influence.--_adj._ that which visits.--_ns._ VIS'ITING-BOOK, a book
recording the names of persons who have called or are to be called on;
VIS'ITING-CARD, a small card, on which the name, address, or title, may be
printed, to be left in making calls or paying visits, and sometimes sent as
an act of courtesy or in token of sympathy; VIS'ITING-DAY, a day on which
one is at home or ready to receive callers; VIS'ITOR, -ER, one who visits,
calls on, or makes a stay with a person: a person authorised to visit an
institution to see that it is managed properly:--_fem._
VIS'ITRESS.--VISITATION OF THE SICK, an office in the Anglican Church, used
for the spiritual benefit of the sick, provision being also made for
special confession and absolution. [Fr. _visiter_--L. _visit[=a]re_, freq.
of _vis[)e]re_, to go to see, visit--_vid[=e]re_, to see.]
VISITE, vi-z[=e]t', _n._ a woman's close-fitting outer garment worn early
in the 19th century. [Fr.]
VISIVE, v[=i]'siv, _adj._ visual.
VISNOMY, viz'no-mi, _n._ (_Spens._), physiognomy.
VISON, v[=i]'son, _n._ the American mink.
VISOR, viz'ur, _n._ a part of a helmet covering the face, movable, and
perforated to see through (see ARMOUR): a mask.--_adj._ VIS'ORED, wearing a
visor: masked. [Fr. _visière_--_vis_, countenance.]
VISTA, vis'ta, _n._ a view or prospect through or as through an avenue: the
trees, &c., that form the avenue. [It. _vista_, sight, view--L.
_vid[=e]re_, to see.]
VISUAL, viz'[=u]-al, _adj._ belonging to vision or sight: visible: produced
by sight: used in sight: used for seeing.--_n._ VISUALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._
VIS'UAL[=I]SE, to make visible or visual, externalise to the eye.--_v.i._
to call up a clear mental image.--_ns._ VIS'UAL[=I]SER; VISUAL'ITY.--_adv._
VIS'UALLY.
VITAL, v[=i]'tal, _adj._ belonging or contributing to life: containing or
necessary to life: important as life: essential.--_n._
V[=I]TALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ V[=I]'TALISE, to make vital or alive: to give
life to or furnish with the vital principle.--_ns._ V[=I]'TALISM, the
doctrine that there is a vital principle distinct from the organisation of
living bodies, which directs all their actions and functions; V[=I]'TALIST,
one who holds this doctrine.--_adj._ V[=I]TALIS'TIC.--_n._ V[=I]TAL'ITY,
quality of being vital: principle or power of life: capacity to endure and
flourish.--_adv._ V[=I]'TALLY.--_n.pl._ V[=I]'TALS, the interior organs
essential for life: the part of any whole necessary for its
existence.--_n._ V[=I]T[=A]'TIVENESS (_phrenol._), the love of life, a
faculty assigned to a protuberance under the ear.--VITAL FORCE, the
principle of life in animals and plants; VITAL FUNCTIONS, power, ability to
continue living; VITAL PRINCIPLE, that principle on which the life of an
organism is thought to depend; VITAL STATISTICS, a division of statistics
dealing with the facts and problems concerning population. [L.
_vitalis_--_vita_, life--_viv[)e]re_, to live; cog. with Gr. _bios_, life.]
VITELLUS, v[=i]-tel'us, _n._ the yolk of an egg.--_adjs._ VIT'ELLARY,
VITELL'INE, pertaining to the vitellus, or forming such.--_n._ VITELL'ICLE,
a yolk-sac.--_adj._ VITELLIGENOUS (-ij'-), producing yolk. [L., 'a yolk,' a
transferred use of _vitellus_--_vitulus_, a calf.]
VITEX, v[=i]'teks, _n._ a genus of trees or shrubs of the natural order
_Verbenaceæ_. [L.]
VITIATE, vish'i-[=a]t, _v.t._ to render faulty or defective: to make less
pure: to deprave: to taint--earlier VI'CIATE.--_ns._ VITI[=A]'TION;
VI'TI[=A]TOR; VITIOS'ITY, state or quality of being vicious. [L.
_viti[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_vitium_. See VICE (2).]
VITILITIGATION, vit-i-lit-i-g[=a]'shun, _n._ vexatious litigation.--_v.i._
VITILIT'IGATE.
VITIS, v[=i]'tis, _n._ a genus of plants, including the grape.--_n._
VIT'ICIDE, a vine-destroyer, vine-pest.--_adj._ VITIC'OLOUS, inhabiting, or
produced upon, the vine.--_ns._ VIT'ICULTURE, cultivation of the vine;
VITICUL'T[=U]RIST. [L. _vitis_, a vine--_vi[=e]re_, to twist.]
VITREOUS, vit'r[=e]-us, _adj._ glassy: pertaining to, consisting of, or
like glass.--_ns._ VITREOS'ITY, VIT'REOUSNESS; VITRES'CENCE.--_adj._
VITRES'CENT, tending to become glass.--_n._ VIT'REUM, the vitreous humour
of the eye.--_adj._ VIT'RIC.--_ns._ VIT'RICS, glassy materials: the history
of glass and its manufacture; VITRIFAC'TION, VITRIFIC[=A]'TION, act,
process, or operation of vitrifying, or converting into glass;
VITRIFAC'TURE, the manufacture of glass.--_adjs._ VIT'RIFIABLE, that may be
vitrified or turned into glass; VIT'RIFIED.--_ns.pl._ VIT'RIFIED-FORTS,
-WALLS, certain ancient Scottish, French, &c. forts or walls in which the
silicious stone has been vitrified by fire, whether by intention or
accident is uncertain.--_adj._ VIT'RIFORM, having the form of
glass.--_v.t._ VIT'RIFY, to make into glass.--_v.i._ to become
glass.--_ns._ VITR[=I]'NA, a genus of land molluscs forming a
connecting-link between the slugs and true snails--the glass-snail;
VIT'RINE, a show-case made of glass and used to protect delicate articles.
[L. _vitrum_, glass--_vid[=e]re_, to see.]
VITRIOL, vit'ri-ol, _n._ the popular name of sulphuric acid: a soluble
sulphate of a metal--_green vitriol_=sulphate of iron, _blue
vitriol_=sulphate of copper, _white vitriol_=sulphate of zinc.--_v.t._
VIT'RIOL[=A]TE, to convert into vitriol.--_n._ VITRIOL[=A]'TION, the act or
process of converting into vitriol.--_adjs._ VITRIOL'IC, pertaining to or
having the qualities of vitriol: biting, very severe;
VIT'RIOL[=I]SABLE.--_n._ VITRIOLIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ VIT'RIOLISE, to
vitriolate: to poison with vitriol.--ELIXIR OF VITRIOL, old name for the
aromatic sulphuric acid of the Pharmacopoeia; OIL OF VITRIOL, concentrated
sulphuric acid. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _vitriolum_--_vitriolus_--L. _vitreus_, of
glass.]
VITRO-DI-TRINA, vit'r[=o]-di-tr[=e]'na, _n._ lacework glass. [It., 'glass
of lace.']
VITROPHYRE, vit'r[=o]-f[=i]r, _n._ a porphyritic variety of volcanic
glass.--_adj._ VITROPHYR'IC. [L. _vitrum_, glass, _porphyrites_, porphyry.]
[Illustration]
VITRUVIAN, vi-tr[=oo]'vi-an, _adj._ denoting a peculiar kind of convoluted
scrollwork, so named from _Vitruvius_, a Roman architect under Augustus.
VITTA, vit'a, _n._ a fillet, or garland for the head:--_pl._ VITT'Æ
(-[=e]). [L.]
VITULAR, vit'[=u]-lar, VITULINE, vit'[=u]-l[=i]n, _adj._ relating to a calf
or to veal. [From L. _vitulus_, a calf.]
VITUPERATE, v[=i]-t[=u]'pe-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to find fault with: to address
with abuse: to rate soundly.--_adj._ VIT[=U]'PERABLE, deserving
vituperation.--_n._ VIT[=U]PER[=A]'TION, act of vituperating: censure:
abuse.--_adj._ VIT[=U]'PER[=A]TIVE, containing vituperation or
censure.--_adv._ VIT[=U]'PER[=A]TIVELY.--_n._ VIT[=U]'PER[=A]TOR, one who
vituperates. [L. _vituper[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_vitium_, a fault,
_par[=a]re_, to set out.]
VIURE, v[=e]'[=u]r, _n._ (_her._) a thin ribbon crossing the field in any
direction. [Fr.]
VIVA, v[=e]'va, _interj._ long live.--_n._ the exclamation _Viva_! [It.,
'Let him live'--L. _viv[)e]re_, to live.]
VIVACE, v[=e]-vä'che, _adj._ (_mus._) lively:--_superl._ VIVACIS'SIMO.
[It.]
VIVACIOUS, v[=i]-v[=a]'shus, (or vi-), _adj._ lively or long-lived: active:
sportive.--_adv._ VIV[=A]'CIOUSLY.--_ns._ VIV[=A]'CIOUSNESS; VIVAC'ITY,
state of being vivacious: life: animation: liveliness or sprightliness of
temper or behaviour: (_rare_) a vivacious act or saying. [L. _vivax_,
_vivacis_--_viv[)e]re_, to live.]
VIVANDIÈRE, v[=e]-vong-di-[=a]r', _n._ in the French and some other
Continental armies, a female attendant in a regiment, who sells spirits and
other comforts, marching with the corps. [Fr., _fem._ of _vivandier_--It.
_vivandière_, a sutler--_vivanda_, food.]
VIVARIUM, v[=i]-v[=a]'ri-um, _n._ an artificial enclosure for keeping or
raising living animals, as a park, fish-pond, &c.--Also V[=I]'VARY. [L.
_vivarium_--_vivus_, alive--_viv[)e]re_, to live.]