V
the twenty-second letter of our alphabet, a differentiated form ofU—in sound it is a labio-dental and closely related toF. As a Roman numeralV=5;V=5000.
Vacant, vÄ′kant,adj.empty: free: not occupied by an incumbent or possessor: not occupied with study, &c.: thoughtless, inane.—n.VÄ′cancy, emptiness: idleness: empty space, void or gap between bodies: a situation unoccupied: (Shak.) unoccupied or leisure time.—adv.VÄ′cantly.—v.t.VacÄte′, to leave empty: to quit possession of: (obs.) to annul, to make useless.—ns.VacÄ′tion, a vacating or making void or invalid: freedom from, duty, &c.: recess: break in the sittings of law-courts: school and college holidays;VacÄ′tionist, one travelling for pleasure.—adj.VacÄ′tionless.—n.VacÄ′tur, the act of annulling in law. [Fr.,—L.vacans,-antis, pr.p. ofvacÄre,-Ätum, to be empty.]
Vaccinate, vak′si-nÄt,v.t.to inoculate with the cowpox as a preventive against smallpox.—adjs.Vaccig′enous, producing vaccine;Vac′cinal, pertaining to vaccine or to vaccination.—ns.VaccinÄ′tion;Vac′cinÄtor, one who vaccinates.—adj.Vac′cine, pertaining to or derived from cows: of or relating to vaccinia or vaccination.—n.the virus of cowpox or vaccinia used in the process of vaccination.—n.Vaccin′ia, an eruptive disease occurring in cattle—alsoVaccī′na. [L.vaccÄ«nus—vacca, a cow.]
Vachery, vash′ėr-i,n.a dairy.
Vacillate, vas′i-lÄt,v.i.to sway to and fro: to waver: to be unsteady.—adjs.Vac′illant, vacillating;Vac′illÄting, inclined to fluctuate: wavering: unsteady.—adv.Vac′illÄtingly.—n.VacillÄ′tion, act of vacillating.—adj.Vac′illÄtory, wavering. [L.vacillÄre,-Ätum.]
Vacuous, vak′ū-us,adj.empty, void: without intelligence, unexpressive.—v.t.Vac′uÄte, to make empty.—ns.VacuÄ′tion;Vac′uist, one who thinks there are empty spaces in nature;Vacū′ity, emptiness: space unoccupied: idleness, listlessness;Vac′uÅle, a very small cavity in the tissue of organisms;Vac′uousness;Vac′ūum, vacant or empty space: a space empty or devoid of all matter:—pl.Vac′ūa;Vac′ūum-brake, a brake working on the principle of keeping up a vacuum in a continuous pipe or pipes extending under the train, and in brake-cylinders connected to them under each vehicle, the air being sucked out by ejectors or pumps on the locomotive;Vac′ūum-gauge, a gauge for indicating to what extent a vacuum is produced;Vac′ūum-pan, a vessel for boiling saccharine juices in a partial vacuum in sugar-making;Vac′ūum-tube, a sealed glass tube in which a vacuum has been made, employed to examine the effects of a discharge of electricity through air or gas rarefied or exhausted. [L.vacuus, empty.]
Vade, vÄd,v.i.(Shak.) to fade. [Fade.]
Vade-mecum, vÄ′dÄ“-mē′kum,n.a hand-book, pocket-companion. [L., 'go with me'—vadÄ•re, to go,me, abl. ofego, I,cum, with.]
Vadium, vÄ′di-um,n.(Scots law) a wad or surety. [L.vas,vadis.]
Vag, vag,n.(prov.) turf for fuel.
Vagabond, vag′a-bond,adj.wandering: having no settled home: driven to and fro: unsettled.—n.one who wanders without any settled habitation: a wandering, idle fellow: a scamp, a rascal.—n.Vag′abondage.—v.t.Vag′abondise, to wander like a vagabond.—adj.Vag′abondish.—n.Vag′abondism. [Fr.,—Low L.,—vagÄri, to wander—vagus, wandering.]
Vagary, va-gÄ′ri,n.a wandering of the thoughts: a wild freak: a whim:—pl.VagÄ′ries.—n.VagÄ′rian, a person with vagaries.—adjs.VagÄ′rious;VagÄ′rish.—n.Vagar′ity, irregularity, capriciousness.
Vagina, vÄ-jī′na,n.(anat.) the canal or passage which leads from the external orifice to the uterus, a sheath, case: the upper part of the pedestal of a terminus: (bot.) a leaf-stalk when it becomes thin and rolls round the stem to which it then forms a stalk, as in grasses.—adjs.Vag′inal;Vag′inant(bot.), investing as a sheath;Vag′inÄte,-d(bot.), invested by the tubular base of a leaf or leaf-stalk, as a stem: denoting a certain order of sheathed polypes;Vaginic′oline,Vaginic′olous, living in a vagina;Vaginif′erous, bearing a vagina;Vaginipenn′ate,Vaginopenn′ous, sheath-winged.—ns.Vaginis′mus, spasmodic contraction of the vagina;Vaginī′tis, inflammation of the vagina;Vaginot′omy, cutting of the vagina;Vagin′ūla,Vag′inule, a diminutive vagina.—adj.Vagin′ulate, having a vaginula, sheathed. [L., 'a sheath.']
Vagitus, vÄ-jī′tus,n.the cry of a new-born child. [L.,—vagÄ«re, to cry.]
Vagous, vÄ′gus,adj.wandering.
Vagrant, vÄ′grant,adj.wandering without any settled dwelling: unsettled: uncertain, erratic: (med.) wandering.—n.one who has no settled home: an idle or disorderly person: a beggar.—ns.VÄ′grancy,VÄ′grantness(rare), the state of being a vagrant: life and habits of a vagrant.—adv.VÄ′grantly. [L.vagans,-antis, pr.p. ofvagÄri, to wander; withrintruded.]
Vagrom, vÄ′grom, (Shak.) Dogberry's perverted spelling and pronunciation ofvagrant.
Vague, vÄg,adj.unsettled: indefinite: uncertain: of doubtful origin: not thinking clearly.—v.i.(obs.) to wander.—n.indefinite expanse.—adv.Vague′ly.—n.Vague′ness. [Fr.,—L.vagus, wandering.]
Vagus, vÄ′gus,n.the tenth cranial nerve or wandering nerve, the longest and most widely extended of the nerves of the brain:—pl.VÄ′gÄ«.
Vaidic, vÄ′dik,adj.Same asVedic.
Vail, vÄl. Same asVeil.
Vail, vÄl,v.t.to let fall.—v.i.to yield: to drop, move down.—n.(Shak.) submission, decline.—n.Vail′er. [Contr. fromavale; cf.Avalanche.]
Vail, vÄl′,v.i.(poet.) to profit, avail.—n.pl.Vails, money given to servants by a visitor—alsoVales. [Contr. fromavail.]
Vain, vÄn,adj.unsatisfying: fruitless: unreal: silly: conceited: showy: (B.) vacant, worthless.—adv.Vain′ly.—ns.Vain′ness, fruitlessness: (Shak.) empty pride, folly;Van′ity, worthlessness, futility: empty pride or ostentation: ambitious display: idle show: empty pleasure: fruitless desire, a trifle: (Shak.) a personified vice in the old moralities and puppet-shows: (B.) a heathen deity.—Vanity Fair, the world as the scene of vanity or empty folly, the world of fashion, so named from the fair described in Bunyan'sPilgrim's Progress.—In vain,For vain(Shak.), ineffectually: to no end: with levity or profanity. [Fr.,—L.vanus, empty.]
Vainglory, vÄn-glÅ′ri,n.vain or empty glory in one's own performances: pride above desert.—v.i.to boast vainly.—adj.VainglÅ′rious, given to vainglory: proceeding from vanity.—adv.VainglÅ′riously.—n.VainglÅ′riousness.
Vair, vÄr,n.(her.) a kind of fur, the skin of the squirrel, bluish-gray on the back and white on the belly, represented by blue and white shields or bells in horizontal rows.—adjs.Vairé,Vairy(vÄ′ri),charged or variegated with vair. [O. Fr.,—L.varius, variegated.]
Vaishnava, vīsh′na-va,n.a worshipper ofVishnu, the Vaishnavas forming one of the great sects of Brahmanism. [Sans.,—Vishnu, Vishnu.]
Vaisya, vīs′ya,n.a member of the third caste among the Hindus. [Sans.vaiçya—viç, settler.]
Vaivode,Waywode=Voivode.
Vakass, va-kas′,n.a semicircular eucharistic vestment in Armenian use—also calledEphod.
Vake, vÄk,v.i.(Scot.) to be vacant.
Vakeel,Vakil, va-kēl′,n.a native attorney or agent in the East Indies. [Hind.,—Ar.vakīl.]
Valance, val′ans,n.hanging drapery for a bed, &c.—alsoVal′ence.—v.t.to decorate with such. [FromValence—L.Valentia, in France.]
Valdenses=Waldenses.
Vale, vÄl,n.a tract of low ground, esp. between hills: a valley. [Fr.val—L.vallis, a vale.]
Valediction, val-Ä“-dik′shun,n.a farewell.—adj.Valedic′tory, saying farewell: farewell: taking leave.—n.a farewell oration spoken at American graduations by the graduating person of highest rank, often called theValedictÅ′rian. [L.valedicÄ•re,-dictum—vale, farewell,dicÄ•re, to say.]
Valence, vÄ′lens,n.(chem.) the combining power of an element, or the proportion in which it forms a combination with another.—AlsoVÄ′lency. [From L.valÄ“re, to be strong.]
Valenciennes, va-long-si-enz′,n.a kind of lace made atValenciennesin France.
Valentine, val′en-tīn,n.a lover or sweetheart chosen on St Valentine's Day, 14th February: a love-letter or other amatory print sent on that day. [O. Fr.valentin, a young person betrothed on the first Sunday in Lent, perh. from a formvalant, equiv. togalant, gallant, but commonly identified with the name of StValentine, on whose day the choice of valentines came to be made, because birds on that day were supposed to choose their mates.]
Valentinian, val-en-tin′i-an,n.one of a Gnostic sect founded byValentinus(died c. 160A.D.).—adj.belonging to the foregoing.—n.Valentin′ianism.
Valerian, va-lē′ri-an,n.the plant all-heal, the root of which is used in medicine.—adj.Val′eric, pertaining to or obtained from the root of valerian. [O. Fr.,—L.valēre, to be strong.]
Valet, val′et, or val′Ä,n.a man-servant, esp. one who attends on a gentleman's person.—v.t.to act as valet to.—n.Valet de place, in France, one who offers his services as guide, messenger, &c. for hire, esp. to strangers. [O. Fr.,—vaslet, later alsovarlet—Low L.vassalettus, dim. ofvassalis, a vassal.]
Valetudinarian, val-Ä“-tÅ«-di-nÄ′ri-an,adj.pertaining to ill-health: sickly: weak—alsoValetū′dinary.—n.a person of weak health.—ns.Valetū′dinariness,ValetÅ«dinÄ′rianism, the condition of a valetudinarian: weak health;ValetudinÄ′rium, an ancient Roman hospital. [L.valetudinarius—valetudo, state of health—valÄ“re, to be strong.]
Valgus, val′gus,n.a bow-legged man: a form of club-foot—talipes valgus:—pl.Val′gi(-jī). [L.]
Valhalla, val-hal′la,n.(Scand. myth.) the palace of immortality for the souls of heroes slain in battle: an edifice forming the final resting-place of the heroes of a nation. [Ice.valhöll, 'the hall of the slain'—valr, the slain, conn. with A.S.wæl, slaughter, Ice.höll, hall.]
Valiant, val′yant,adj.strong: brave: intrepid in danger: heroic.—n.(obs.) a valiant person.—ns.Val′iance,Val′iancy.—adv.Val′iantly, bravely.—n.Val′iantness, courage. [Fr.vaillant—L.valens,valentis, pr.p. ofvalēre, to be strong.]
Valid, val′id,adj.strong: having sufficient strength or force: founded in truth: sound: conclusive: (law) executed with the proper formalities: legal: rightful.—v.t.Val′idate, to confirm, give legal force to: test the validity of.—ns.ValidÄ′tion;Valid′ity.—adv.Val′idly.—n.Val′idness. [Fr.,—L.validus—valÄ“re, to be strong.]
Valise, va-lēs′,n.a travelling bag, generally of leather, opening at the side: a portmanteau. [Fr.,—L.valise(It.valigia, Sp.balija), orig. unknown.]
Valkyr, val′kir,n.(Scand. myth.) one of the nine handmaidens of Odin, serving at the banquet of Valhalla—alsoValkyr′ia,Wal′kyr.—adjs.Valkyr′ian,Walkyr′ian. [Ice.valkyrja—valr, the slain,kyrja—kjósa, to choose. Ger.Walküre.]
Vallar, val′ar,adj.pertaining to a rampart.—AlsoVall′ary. [L.vallum.]
Vallate, val′Ät,adj.cup-shaped: circumvallate.—AlsoVall′ated.
Vallecula, va-lek′ū-la,n.a groove or furrow.—adjs.Vallec′ular,Vallec′ulate.
Valley, val′i,n.a vale or low land between hills or mountains: a low, extended plain, usually watered by a river:—pl.Vall′eys. [O. Fr.valee(Fr.vallée)—val, a vale.]
Vallisneria, val-is-nē′ri-a,n.a genus of the natural order of plantsHydrocharideæ. [Named after AntonioVallisneri(1661-1730), an Italian naturalist.]
Vallum, val′um,n.a rampart, entrenchment: (anat.) the eyebrow. [L., 'a rampart.']
Valonia, va-lÅ′ni-a,n.the large acorn-cup of a species of oak which grows round the Levant, used in tanning. [It.vallonia—Gr.balanos, an acorn.]
Valour, val′ur,n.intrepidity: courage: bravery.—adj.Val′orous, intrepid: courageous.—adv.Val′orously. [O. Fr.valour—Low L.valor—L.valēre, to be strong.]
Value, val′ū,n.worth: that which renders anything useful or estimable: the degree of this quality: esteem, regard: efficacy: importance: excellence: price: precise meaning: (mus.) the relative length of a tone signified by a note: (paint.) relation of one part of a picture to the others with reference to light and shade and without reference to hue: (math.) the special determination of a quantity.—v.t.to estimate the worth of: to rate at a price: to esteem: to prize.—v.i.(Shak.) to be worth.—adj.Val′uable, having value or worth: costly: deserving esteem.—n.a thing of value, a choice article—often inpl.—ns.Val′uableness;ValuÄ′tion, the act of valuing: value set upon a thing: estimated worth;ValuÄ′tor, one who sets a value upon: an appraiser.—adjs.Val′ued;Val′ueless.—n.Val′uer, one who values.—Value in exchange, exchange value: (pol. econ.) economic value (i.e. the amount of other commodities for which a thing can be exchanged in open market) as distinguished from its more general meaning of utility;Value received, a phrase indicating that a bill of exchange, &c., has been accepted for a valuable consideration.—Good value, full worth in exchange. [O. Fr.value, prop. the fem. of Fr.valu, pa.p. ofvaloir, to be worth—L.valÄ“re.]
Valve, valv,n.one of the leaves of a folding-door: a cover to an aperture which opens in one direction and not in the other: one of the pieces or divisions forming a shell: (anat.) a membraneous fold resembling a valve or serving as a valve in connection with the flow of blood, lymph, or other fluid—alsoVal′va.—adjs.Val′val, pertaining to a valve;Val′vÄte, having or resembling a valve or valves: (bot.) meeting at the edges without overlapping, as the petals of flowers;Valved, having or composed of valves.—ns.Valve′-gear, the mechanism for working a valve;Valve′let,Val′vÅ«la,Val′vÅ«le, a little valve: (bot.) formerly used of the pieces which compose the outer covering of a pericarp.—adj.Val′vÅ«lar.—n.ValvÅ«lī′tis, inflammation of one of the valves of the heart. [Fr.,—L.valva, a folding-door.]
Vambrace, vam′brÄs,n.a piece of plate-armour to protect the forearm.—adj.Vam′brÄced(her.), having armour on the forearm. [Alsovantbrace,vantbrass—Fr.avant-bras—avant, before,bras, arm.]
Vamose, va-mÅs′,v.i.(slang) to be off, to be gone. [Sp.vamos, 1st pers. pl. pres. indic.—L.vadimus, we go—vadÄ•re, to go.]
Vamp, vamp,n.the upper leather of a boot or shoe.—v.t.to repair with a new vamp: to patch old with new: give a new face to: (mus.) to improvise an accompaniment to (coll.).—v.i.to improvise accompaniments, to travel, proceed.—n.Vam′per, one who vamps or cobbles up anything old to pass for new.—Vamp up, to patch up, to improvise, to cook up.—In Vamp, in pawn. [Corr. of Fr.avant-pied, the forepart of the foot—avant, before,pied—L.pes,pedis, foot.]
Vampire, vam′pīr,n.in eastern Europe, an accursed body which cannot rest in the kindly earth, but nightly leaves its grave to suck the blood of sleeping men: an extortioner.—n.Vam′pire-bat, the name of several species of bats all supposed to suck blood—the real blood-suckers only in Central and South America, attacking cattle, horses, and sometimes human beings asleep.—adj.Vampir′ic.—n.Vam′pirism, the actions of a vampire or the practice of blood-sucking: extortion. [Fr.,—Servianvampir; the word is common in the Slavonic tongues.]
Vamplate, vam′plÄt,n.the iron plate through which the lance passed, serving as a protection to the hand when the lance was couched. [Fr.avant-plat—avant, before,plat, plate.]
Van, van,n.the front: the front of an army or a fleet: the leaders of any movement. [Abbrev. ofvanguard.]
Van, van,n.a fan for grain, &c.: a vane, wing: a test for ascertaining the value of an ore by washing a small quantity on a shovel.—v.t.to separate ore in this way.—ns.Van′ner, an ore-separator;Van′ning. [Fr.,—L.vannus.]
Van, van,n.a large covered wagon for goods, &c.: a light vehicle, covered or not, used by tradesmen in delivering goods: a carriage in a railway-train for carrying luggage, for the use of the guard, &c. [Short forcaravan.]
Vanadium, van-Ä′di-um,n.a rare metal somewhat resembling silver in appearance, very brittle and infusible, and unoxidisible either by air or water.—ns.Van′adÄte,VanÄ′diÄte, a salt formed by vanadic acid combined with a base.—adjs.Vanad′ic,VanÄ′dious,Van′adous, pertaining to or obtained from vanadium;Vanadif′erous, yielding vanadium.—n.Van′adinite, a compound of lead vanadate and lead chloride. [Named fromVanadis, a Scandinavian goddess.]
Vancourier, van′kÅÅ-ri-er,n.a precursor. [Fr.avant-courier—avant, before.]
Vandal, van′dal,n.one of a fierce race from north-eastern Germany who entered Gaul about the beginning of the 5th century, crossed the Pyrenees into Spain (leaving their name inAndalusia=Vandalitia), next under Genseric crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, and carried devastation and ruin from the shores of the Atlantic to the frontiers of Cyrene: any one hostile to arts or literature, a barbarian.—adjs.Van′dal,Vandal′ic, barbarous, rude.—n.Van′dalism, hostility to arts or literature. [Low L.Vandali,Vinduli—the Teut. name seen in Dut.Wenden, the Wends.]
Vandyke, van-dīk′,n.one of the points forming an edge or border, as of lace, ribbon, &c.: a painting byVandyke: a small round cape, the border ornamented with points and indentations, as seen in paintings by Vandyke of the time of Charles I.—adj.pertaining to the style of dress represented in portraits by Vandyke.—v.t.to cut the edge off in points.—n.Vandyke′-brown, a reddish-brown pigment, a species of peat or lignite.—adj.Vandyked′, notched with large points like a Vandyke collar. [AnthonyVan Dyck(1599-1641), a great Flemish painter.]
Vane, vÄn,n.a flag or banner: a thin slip of wood or metal at the top of a spire, &c., to show which way the wind blows: a weather-cock: the thin web of a feather: one of the blades of a windmill.—adjs.Vaned, furnished with vanes;Vane′less. [Older formfane—A.S.fana; Goth.fana, cloth, Ger.fahne; akin to L.pannus, Gr.penos, a cloth.]
Vanessa, va-nes′a,n.a genus of butterflies, e.g. theVanessa atalantaor Red Admiral,Vanessa antiopeor Camberwell Beauty. [Perh. intended forPhanessa—Gr.Phanēs, a mystic divinity.]
Vang, vang,n.(naut.) one of two guy-ropes from the end of a gaff to the deck to steady the peak. [Dut.]
Vanguard, van′gärd,n.the guard in the van of an army: the part of an army preceding the main body: the front line. [Formerlyvantgard—Fr.avant-garde—avant, before,garde, guard.]
Vanilla, va-nil′a,n.the dried aromatic sheath-like pod or fruit of a tropical epiphytal orchid, a favourite confection.—adj.Vanill′ic. [Latinised from Fr.vanille—Sp.vainilla—vaina—L.vagina, a sheath.]
Vanish, van′ish,v.i.to pass away from a place, leaving it vacant or empty: to disappear: to be annihilated or lost: (math.) to become zero: (Shak.) to exhale.—n.Van′isher.—adv.Van′ishingly.—n.Van′ishment.—Vanishing point, the point of disappearance of anything. [Through Fr. from L.vanescĕre, to pass away—vanus, empty.]
Vanity. SeeVain.
Vanner. SeeVan(2).
Vanquish, vangk′wish,v.t.to conquer: to defeat in any contest: to confute.—adj.Vanq′uishable, capable of being vanquished.—ns.Vanq′uisher;Vanq′uishment. [Fr.vaincre(pa.t.vainquis)—L.vincĕre, to conquer.]
Vantage, van′tÄj,n.advantage: in lawn-tennis, same as advantage: (Shak.) opportunity, convenience, excess, addition.—v.i.(Spens.) to benefit, profit.—ns.Van′tage-ground,-point, superiority of place, opportunity, &c.
Vantbrace,Vantbrass,n.SeeVambrace.
Vanward, van′wawrd,adj.(rare) situated in or pertaining to the van or front.—n.the advance-guard of an army on the march. [Vanandward.]
Vapid, vap′id,adj.having the spirit evaporated: spiritless: insipid.—adv.Vap′idly.—ns.Vap′idness,Vapid′ity. [L.vapidus.]
Vaporole, vÄ′pÅ-rÅl,n.a thin glass capsule, containing a volatile drug wrapped in cotton-wool and enclosed in a silk bag, to be crushed in the fingers so as to permit inhalation.
Vapour,Vapor, vÄ′pur,n.the gas into which most liquids and solids are convertible by heat: the condition of a body when it becomes gas by heat: water in the atmosphere: anything vain or transitory: (pl.) a disease of nervous weakness in which a variety of strange images float before the mind, temporary depression of spirits, dejection.—v.i.to pass off in vapour: to evaporate: to boast: to brag.—v.t.to make to pass into vapour: to cause to dissolve into gas, thin air, or other unsubstantial thing: (rare) to depress, dispirit: (obs.) to bully.—adjs.VÄ′porable,VÄ′porisable, capable of being converted into vapour.—n.VaporÄ′rium, a Russian bath.—adjs.Vaporif′erous, producing vapour;Vaporif′ic, converting into steam or other vapour;VÄ′poriform, existing in the form of vapour.—n.VaporisÄ′tion.—v.t.VÄ′porise, to convert into vapour.—v.i.to pass off in vapour.—adj.VÄ′porish, full of vapours: hypochondriacal: peevish.—n.Vaporom′eter, an instrument for measuring the pressure of a vapour.—adjs.VÄ′porous,VÄ′porose, full of or like vapour: vain: affected with the vapours: unsubstantial, vainly imaginative.—adv.VÄ′porously.—ns.VÄ′porousness,Vaporos′ity;VÄ′pour-bath, an apparatus for bathing the body in vapour of water.—adj.VÄ′poured, full of vapours: affected with the vapours.—ns.VÄ′pourer, one who vapours, a boaster;VÄ′pouring, windy or ostentatious talk.—adv.VÄ′pouringly.—adj.VÄ′poury, full of vapour: affected with the vapours: peevish. [Fr.,—L.vapor.]
Vapulation, vap-Å«-lÄ′shun,n.(rare) a flogging.—adj.Vap′ulÄtÅry. [L.vapulÄre, to be flogged.]
Vaquero, va-kÄ′rÅ,n.a herdsman.—n.Vacqueria(vak-e-rē′a),a farm for grazing cattle. [Sp.,—Fr.vacher, a cowherd—L.vacca, a cow.]
Vara, vä′ra,n.a Spanish-American linear measure, about thirty-three inches. [Vare.]
Varangian, va-ran′ji-an,n.the name given by the Slavic Russians and the Greeks to one of those Northmen or Värings who made settlements on the east side of the Baltic in the second half of the 9th century, and laid the foundations under Rurik of the kingdom of Gardarike out of which grew the subsequent Russia.—Varangian Guard, a trusted bodyguard of the emperors of Constantinople from the end of the 10th century down to the close in 1453.
Varanus, var′a-nus,n.the typical genus ofVaranidæ, a family of eriglossate lacertilians, a monitor.—n.Var′an, a varanoid lizard.—adj.Var′anoid.
Vare, vÄr,n.a wand of authority. [Sp.vara, a pole—L.vara, a trestle, forked stick—varus, crooked.]
Varec, var′ek,n.a Breton impure sodium carbonate. [Fr.,—Ice.vágrek,vágr, a wave,rek, drift.]
Vareuse, va-rėz′,n.a kind of loose jacket. [Fr.]
Vargueno, var-gÄ′nÅ,n.a form of cabinet made atVargasin Spain, having a box-shaped body with lid, resting on columns, and opening at the bottom so as to serve as a writing-desk.
Variable, vÄ′ri-a-bl,adj.that may be varied: changeable: liable to change: unsteady: (bot.,zool.) of a species embracing many individuals and groups departing more or less from the strict type: (math.) quantitatively indeterminate: (astron.) changing in brightness.—n.(math.) a quantity subject to continual increase or decrease: a quantity which may have an infinite number of values in the same expression: a shifting wind.—ns.Variabil′ity(biol.), tendency to depart in any direction from the mean character of the species;VÄ′riableness.—adv.VÄ′riably.—v.t.VÄ′riate, to vary.—v.i.to change.—adj.VÄ′riated, varied, diversified: varriated.—n.VariÄ′tion, a varying: a change: change from one to another: successive change: the extent to which a thing varies: (gram.) change of termination: (mus.) a manner of singing or playing the same air with various changes in time, rhythm, or key: (astron.) deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body: (biol.) departure from the mean character of a species.—adjs.VariÄ′tional, pertaining to variation;VÄ′riative, tending to variation.—Variable species, any species with marked rate of variability. [Fr.,—L.variabilis.]
Variance, vÄ′ri-ans,n.state of being varied: an alteration: a change of condition: (law) a discrepancy: difference that arises from, or produces, dispute.—n.VÄ′riant, a different form of the same original word: a different reading, e.g. in a manuscript.—adj.diverse, variable, inconstant.—At variance, in disagreement.
Varicella, var-i-sel′a,n.chicken-pox—applied also loosely to various eruptive diseases, as swine-pox, hives, or varioloid.—adjs.Varicell′ar, pertaining to varicella;Varicell′oid, resembling varicella.
Varicocele, var′i-kÅ-sÄ“l,n.an enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord, or sometimes of the veins of the scrotum. [L.varix, a dilated vein, Gr.kÄ“lÄ“, a tumour.]
Varicoloured, vÄ′ri-kul-urd,adj.diversified in colour.—AlsoVaricol′orous. [L.varius, various,color, colour.]
Varicorn, vÄ′ri-korn,adj.having diversiform antennæ.—n.a varicorn beetle. [L.varius, various,cornu, a horn.]
Varicose, var′i-kÅs,adj.permanently dilated or enlarged, as a vein, the actual dilatation being called a varix—most often in the sub-mucous veins of the rectum (constitutinghæmorrhoidsorpiles), in the spermatic veins (giving rise tovaricocele), and in the veins of the lower extremities—alsoVar′icous.—adjs.Var′icÄted, marked by varicose formations (said of shells);Var′icosed.—n.Varicos′ity, state of being varicose.—Varicose veins, a condition in which the superficial veins, usually of the leg, are swollen for no apparent physiological reason. [L.varicosus, full of dilated veins—varix, a dilated vein—varus, bent, crooked.]
Variegate, vÄ′ri-e-gÄt,v.t.to mark with different colours.—ns.VariegÄ′tion, in plants, a condition in which other colours are exhibited in parts where green is the normal colour;VÄ′riegÄtor. [L.variegatus—varius, various,agÄ•re, to make.]
Variety, va-rī′e-ti,n.the quality of bring various: difference: many-sidedness, versatility: a collection of different things: one of a number of things nearly allied to each other: one or more individuals of a species, which, owing to accidental causes, differ from the normal form in minor points:—pl.Varī′eties.—adj.VÄrī′etal(biol.), having the character of a zoological or botanical variety.—adv.Varī′etally.—ns.Varī′ety-show, a mixed entertainment comprising dances, songs, negro-minstrelsy, farces, short sketches, &c.;Varī′ety-thē′atre, a theatre devoted to variety-shows.—adj.VÄ′riform, varied in form.—v.t.VÄ′rify, to variegate. [L.varietas—varius, various.]
Variola, vÄ-rī′Å-la,n.smallpox.—adjs.Varī′olar,Variol′ic,Varī′olous.—ns.VariolÄ′tion, inoculation with the virus of smallpox;VÄ′riole, a shallow pit or pitted marking, a foveole;Varī′olite, a rock covered with pea-like pustular forms, held in India as a preventive of smallpox and worn sometimes as an amulet round the neck.—adjs.Variolit′ic, pertaining to variolite;VÄ′rioloid, resembling smallpox: resembling measles.—n.modified smallpox. [Low L.,—L.varius, various, spotted.]
Variometer, vÄ-ri-om′e-tÄ—r,n.an instrument used in measuring magnetic intensity. [L.varius, various, Gr.metron, measure.]
Variorum, vÄ-rÄ«-Å′rum,adj.a term applied to an edition of some work in which the notes of various commentators are inserted. [From the full Latin 'editio cum notisvariorum.']
Various, vÄ′ri-us,adj.varied, different: several: unlike each other: changeable: uncertain: variegated.—adv.VÄ′riously.—n.VÄ′riousness. [L.varius.]
Variscite, var′i-sīt,n.a mineral very like a greenish turquoise found in Brittany. [From L.Variscia, Voigtland, part of Saxony.]
Varix, vÄ′riks,n.abnormal dilatation or tortuosity of a vein:—pl.Var′icÄ“s. [L.,—varus, bent.]
Varlet, vär′let,n.a footman: a low fellow: a scoundrel.—n.Var′letry(Shak.), the rabble, the crowd. [O. Fr.varlet, formerlyvaslet, from a dim. of Low L.vassalis.]
Varmin,Varmint, var′min,var′mint,dialectal variants forvermin.
Varnish, vär′nish,v.t.to cover with a liquid so as to give a glossy surface to: to give a fair appearance to.—n.a sticky liquid which dries and forms a hard, lustrous coating: a glossy, lustrous appearance: any gloss or palliation.—ns.Var′nisher;Var′nishing;Var′nishing-day, a day before the opening of a picture exhibition when exhibitors may varnish or retouch their pictures after they have been hung;Var′nish-tree, a name given to trees of several distinct natural orders, the resinous juice of which is used for varnishing or for lacquering. [Fr.vernis—Low L.vitrinus, glassy—L.vitrum, glass.]
Varriated, var′i-Ä-ted,adj.(her.) battlemented with solid projections and crenelles, both pointed bluntly, but in the latter case reversed. [So named from the resemblance tovair.]
Varsal, var′sal,adj.(coll.) universal.
Varsity, var′si-ti,n.(coll.) university.
Varsovienne, var-sÅ-vi-en′,n.a dance imitated from the Polish mazurka, the music for such. [Fr., fem. ofVarsovien—Varsovie, Warsaw.]
Vartabed, vär′ta-bed,n.one of an order of Armenian clergy devoted to teaching.—AlsoVar′tabet.
Varuna, var′ÅÅ-na,n.an ancient Indian Vedic god of heaven and day—latterly, rather the deity that rules over the waters.
Varus, vÄ′rus,n.the same astalipes varus: a knock-kneed person. [L.]
Varus, vÄ′rus,n.acne. [L.]
Varvels, värv′elz,n.same asVervels.—adj.Var′veled(her.), provided with vervels or rings.
Vary, vÄ′ri,v.t.to make different: to diversify, modify: (mus.) to alter or embellish a melody, preserving its identity: (Shak.) to express variously: to change to something else: to make of different kinds.—v.i.to alter or be altered: to be or become different: to change in succession: to deviate (withfrom): to disagree: (math.) to be subject to continual increase or decrease:—pa.t.andpa.p.vÄ′ried.—n.(Shak.) change.—adj.VÄ′ried.—adv.VÄ′riedly.—n.VÄ′rier, one who varies. [Fr.varier—L.variÄre—varius.]
Vas, vas,n.(anat.,zool.) a vessel containing blood, &c.:—pl.VÄ′sa.—adjs.VÄ′sal, pertaining to a vas;Vas′iform, having the form of a duct;VasomÅ′tor, serving to regulate the tension of blood-vessels, as nerves;VasomÅ′tory,VasomotÅ′rial. [L.]
Vasalium, va-sÄ′li-um,n.vascular tissue proper.
Vascular, vas′kÅ«-lar,adj.of or relating to the vessels of animal and vegetable bodies.—n.pl.VasculÄ′res, a division of the vegetable kingdom embracing plants with vessels or ducts.—v.t.Vas′cularise.—n.Vascular′ity.—adv.Vas′cularly.—adjs.Vasculif′erous;Vas′culiform.—ns.Vas′culose, the substance, closely allied to cellulose, that makes up the greater part of the vessels of plants;Vas′culum, a botanist's specimen-box. [Fr.vasculaire—L.vasculum, dim. ofvas, a vessel.]
Vase, vÄz, or v[ä]z,n.a vessel of stone, metal, glass, or earthenware, anciently used for domestic purposes and in offering sacrifices: an ornamental vessel generally of an antique pattern: a sculptured, vaselike ornament: (archit.) the body of the Corinthian capital.—n.Vase′-paint′ing, the decoration of vases with pigments, esp. the decoration of the pottery of the ancient Greeks.—adj.VÄ′siform.—Etruscan vases, Greek vases so called mistakenly because found in Etruscan tombs;Portland vase, a famous Græco-Roman cameo-glass with reliefs in opaque white glass on a dark-blue ground, 9¾ inches high, now preserved in the British Museum. [Fr.,—L.vasumorvas.]
Vaseline, vas′e-lin,n.a yellowish, almost tasteless and inodorous, translucent substance obtained from petroleum, used as a salve, liniment, lubricant, &c. [Formed from Ger.wasser, water, and Gr.elaion, oil.]
Vasiform,Vasomotor. SeeVas.
Vassal, vas′al,n.one who holds land from, and renders homage to, a superior: a dependant, retainer: a bondman, slave: (Shak.) a low wretch.—adj.(Shak.) servile.—v.t.to enslave, to dominate.—ns.Vass′alÄge, state of being a vassal: dependence: subjection: a fee, fief: (Shak.) vassals collectively;Vass′aless(Spens.), a female vassal;Vass′alry, vassals collectively. [Fr.,—Low L.vassalis—Bret.gwaz, a servant; cf. W.gwas, a youth.]
Vast, vast,adj.of great extent: very great in amount: very great in degree, mighty: (Shak.) vacant, desolate.—n.immensity: (coll.) a large quantity: (Shak.) the darkness of night.—ns.Vastid′ity(Shak.), immensity, desolation;Vas′titude.—adv.Vast′ly.—ns.Vast′ness;Vas′tus, one of the great muscles upon the front of the thigh.—adj.Vas′ty, large, enormously great. [Fr.vaste—L.vastus, waste, vast; cf. A.S.wéste, waste.]
Vat, vat,n.a large vessel or tank, esp. one for holding liquors.—v.t.to put in a vat.—n.Vat′ful, the contents of a vat. [Older formfat—A.S.fæt; Dut.vat, Ice.fat, Ger.fass.]
Vatican, vat′i-kan,n.an assemblage of buildings on the Vatican hill in Rome, including one of the pope's palaces: the papal authority.—ns.Vat′icanism, the system of theology and ecclesiastical government based on absolute papal authority, ultramontanism;Vat′icanist, one who upholds such a system.—Vatican Codex, a famous uncial MS. of the Greek Testament, of the 4th century, in the Vatican library at Rome;Vatican Council, the Twentieth Ecumenical Council, according to popish reckoning, which met 8th December 1869 and proclaimed the Infallibility of the Pope. [Fr.,—It.Vaticano—L.Mons Vaticanus, a hill in Rome.]
Vaticide, vat′i-sīd,n.the killing of a prophet: one who kills a prophet. [L.vates,vatis, a prophet,cædĕre, to kill.]
Vaticinate, va-tis′i-nÄt,v.t.to prophesy.—adj.Vat′ic, prophetic, oracular, inspired—alsoVatic′inal.—ns.VaticinÄ′tion, prophecy: prediction;Vatic′inator, a prophet. [L.vaticinÄri,-Ätus, to prophesy—vates, a seer.]
Vaudeville, vÅd′vil,n.originally a popular song with topical allusions: a play interspersed with dances and songs incidentally introduced and usually comic.—n.Vaude′villist, a composer of these. [Fromvau(val)de Vire, the valley of theVire, in Normandy, where they were first composed about 1400A.D.]
Vaudois, vÅ-dwo′,n.a native ofVaud: the dialect spoken in Vaud.—adj.pertaining to Vaud or its people.
Vaudois, vÅ-dwo′,n.one of the Waldenses (q.v.).—adj.Waldensian.
Vaudoo. SeeVoodoo.
Vault, vawlt,n.an arched roof: a chamber with an arched roof, esp. one underground: a cellar: anything vault-like: a leap or spring by means of a pole or by resting the hands on something: the bound of a horse: a jump.—v.t.to shape as a vault: to arch: to roof with an arch: to form vaults in.—v.i.to curvet or leap, as a horse: to leap: to exhibit feats of leaping or tumbling.—n.Vaul′tage(Shak.), an arched cellar: vaulted work.—adj.Vaul′ted, arched: concave overhead: covered with an arch or vault.—ns.Vaul′ter, one who vaults or leaps;Vaul′ting(archit.), vaulted work;Vaul′ting-horse, a wooden horse used in gymnasiums for vaulting over.—adj.Vaul′ty(Shak.), arched, concave. [O. Fr.volte(Fr.voûte)—L.volvĕre,volutum, to roll.]
Vaunce, väns,v.i.(Spens.) to advance.
Vaunt, vawnt′, or vänt,v.i.to make a vain display: to boast.—v.t.to make a vain display of: to boast of.—n.vain display: boast.—ns.Vaun′ter;Vaun′tery, vaunting.—adj.Vaunt′ful.—n.Vaun′ting.—adv.Vaun′tingly. [O. Fr.vanter—Low L.vanitÄre—L.vanitas, vanity—vanus, vain.]
Vaunt, vänt,n.(Shak.) the first part. [Van.]
Vaunt-courier, vänt′-kÅÅ′-ri-Ä—r,n.(Shak.). Same asVancourier.
Vaut, vawt,v.i.(Spens.) same asVault.—adj.Vau′ty, vaulted.
Vavasour, vav′a-sÅÅr,n.in feudal times, one who held his lands not directly of the crown but of one of the higher nobility.—n.Vav′asÅry, the tenure or lands of a vavasour. [O. Fr.,—Low L.vassus vassorum, vassal of vassals—vassus, vassal.]
Vaward, vÄ′wawrd,n.andadj.Same asVanward.
Veadar, vē′a-dar,n.the name of the intercalary or thirteenth month of the Jewish year, which must have been inserted about every third year. [Heb., 'the additionaladar,' fromve, and, andadar, so called because it was introduced in the calendar after the month Adar.]
Veal, vēl,n.the flesh of a calf.—n.Veal′-skin, a skin-disease marked by white shiny tubercles on the ears and neck.—adj.Veal′y, like veal or like a calf: immature. [O. Fr.veël(Prov.vedel)—L.vitellus, dim. ofvitulus; Gr.italos, a calf.]
Vector, vek′tor,n.(math.) any directed quantity, as a straight line in space, involving both its direction and magnitude.—n.VectitÄ′tion, a carrying.—adj.VectÅ′rial. [L.,—vehÄ•re,vectum, to convey.]
Veda, vÄ′dä,n.the four holy books of the Hindus—Rigveda, or Veda of praises or hymns;Sâmaveda, or Veda of chants or tunes;Yajurveda, or Veda of prayers; andAtharvaveda, or Veda of the Atharvans:—pl.Vedas(vÄ′däz).—n.Vedan′ta, a system of Hindu philosophy based on theVedas.—adjs.Vedan′tic,Ve′dic. [Sans.veda, knowledge—vid, to know; cf.Wit.]
Vedette, ve-det′,n.a mounted sentry stationed at the outposts of an army to watch an enemy. [Fr.,—It.vedetta—vedere, to see—L.vidēre, to see.]
Veer, vÄ“r,v.i.to change direction, as the wind: to alter, of the course of a ship: to change one's mind.—v.t.to turn, shift: to change a ship's course by turning her head away from the wind.—n.andadj.Veer′ing.—adv.Veer′ingly. [Fr.virer(Prov.virar)—Low L.virÄre, to turn—L.viriæ, armlets.]
Veery, vēr′i,n.the tawny thrush of North America.
Vega, vÄ′ga,n.a tract of flat land, a tobacco-field in Cuba. [Sp.]
Vegetable, vej′e-ta-bl,n.an organised body without sensation and voluntary motion, nourished by roots fixed in the ground: a plant for the table.—adj.belonging to plants: consisting of or having the nature of plants: derived from vegetables.—adj.Veg′etal, of the nature of a vegetable: pertaining to the vital functions of plants and animals, as growth, reproduction, &c.—ns.Veg′etaline, a substitute for ivory, &c., made by treating woody fibre with sulphuric acid, mixing with various ingredients, and pressing into any required form;Vegetal′ity, vegetable character, the vegetal functions collectively.—adj.VegetÄ′rian, pertaining to those who abstain from animal food: consisting of vegetables.—n.one who holds that vegetables are the only proper food for man.—n.VegetÄ′rianism, the theory and practice of a vegetarian.—v.i.Veg′etÄte, to grow by roots and leaves: to sprout: to lead an idle, aimless life.—n.VegetÄ′tion, process of growing, as a plant: vegetable growth: plants in general.—adj.Veg′etÄtive, growing, as plants: producing growth in plants: pertaining to unconscious or involuntary bodily functions as resembling the processes of vegetable growth: without intellectual activity, unprogressive.—adv.Veg′etÄtively.—n.Veg′etÄtiveness.—adj.Vegete(vej′ēt),vigorous.—n.Veg′etive(Shak.), a vegetable.—Vegetable kingdom, that division of natural objects which embraces vegetables or plants;Vegetable marrow, the fruit of a species of gourd, so called from its marrow-like appearance;Vegetable mould, mould consisting mostly of humus;Vegetable physiology, that department of botany which treats of the growth and functions of plants. [O. Fr.,—Low L.vegetabilis, animating—L.vegetÄre, to quicken—vegÄ“re, to be lively; akin tovigÄ“re, to be vigorous. Cf.Vigour.]
Vehement, vē′he-ment,adj.passionate: furious: very eager or urgent.—ns.Vē′hemence,Vē′hemency, the quality of being vehement: violence: great ardour or fervour.—adv.Vē′hemently. [O. Fr.,—L.vehemens, fromve, out of,mens, mind; acc. to Vanicek, fromvehĕre, to carry.]
Vehicle, vē′hi-kl,n.any kind of carriage or conveyance: that which is used to convey: (med.) a substance in which a medicine is taken: (paint.) a liquid used to render colours, varnishes, &c. fit for use.—adjs.Vehic′ūlar,-y, pertaining to or serving as a vehicle.—v.t.Vehic′ūlate(rare), to ride in a vehicle.—n.VehicÅ«lÄ′tion.—adj.Vehic′ūlÄtÅry. [L.vehiculum—vehÄ•re, to carry.]
Vehmgericht, fÄm′ge-richt,n.one of the dread medieval German tribunals, empowered by the emperors to try cases in which the penalty was death and to execute the punishment on the guilty—alsoFem′gerichte, or simplyVehme,Fehme:—pl.Vehmgerichte(fÄm′ge-rich-te).—adj.Vehm′ic. [Ger.,—fehme,fehm, a criminal tribunal,gericht, judgment.]
Veil, vÄl,n.a curtain: anything that hides an object: a piece of muslin or thin cloth worn by ladies to shade or hide the face: a cover: a disguise: an obscuration of the clearness of the tones in pronunciation: in fungi, the partial covering of the stem or margin of the cap—applied also to the indusium of ferns.—v.t.to cover with a veil: to cover: to conceal.—n.Veil′ing, the act of concealing with a veil: a veil: material for making veils.—adjs.Veil′less, wanting a veil: uncovered;Vē′lar(philol.), denoting sounds (gw,kw, &c.) produced by the veil of the palate or soft palate;Vē′lary, pertaining to a sail.—n.VÄ“lÄ′tion, a veiling: concealment, mystery.—EucharisticorSacramental veils, the linen or silk cloths used to cover the eucharistic vessels and the elements during the celebration of Mass or Holy Communion.—Take the veil, to become a nun. [O. Fr.veile(Fr.voile)—L.velum, a curtain—vehÄ•re, to carry.]
Veilleuse, vÄ-lyÄ—z′,n.a shaded night-lamp.
Vein, vÄn,n.one of the vessels or tubes which convey the blood back to the heart: one of the horny tubes forming the framework of an insect's wings: (bot.) one of the small branching ribs in a leaf: a seam of a different mineral through a rock: a fissure or cavity: a streak in wood or stone: a train of thought: a course: tendency or turn of mind: mood or humour.—v.t.to form veins or the appearance of veins in.—n.Vein′age, veins collectively.—adj.Veined, full of veins: streaked, variegated: (bot.) having vessels branching over the surface, as a leaf.—n.Vein′ing, formation or disposition of veins: streaking.—adj.Vein′less, having no veins.—n.Vein′let(bot.), a little vein or vessel branching out from a larger one.—adjs.Vein′ous,Vein′y, full of veins.—ns.Vein′stone, the earthy part of a lode;Vein′ūle, a very small vein. [Fr.veine—L.vena, perh. fromvehÄ•re, to carry.]
Velamentum, vel-a-men′tum,n.a membrane or membraneous envelope—alsoVelÄ′men.—adj.Velamen′tous, veil-like.
Velarium, vÄ“-lÄ′ri-um,n.an awning which could be drawn over the Roman amphitheatre: the marginal membrane of certain hydrozoans:—pl.VelÄ′ria.
Velatura, vel-a-tÅÅ′ra,n.a method of glazing a painting by rubbing on colour with the hand. [It.]
Veldt, velt,n.in South Africa, the name given to unforested or thinly-forested grass country.—AlsoVeld. [Dut.veld, field.]
Vele, vēl,n.(Spens.). Same asVeil.
Velia, vē′li-a,n.a genus of semi-aquatic water-bugs.
Velitation, vel-i-tÄ′shun,n.a slight skirmish.
Velite, vē′līt,n.a light-armed Roman soldier. [L.veles,velitis.]
Vell, vel,v.t.(prov.) to cut the turf from.
Vell, vel,n.(prov.) rennet.
Velleity, ve-lē′i-ti,n.(rare) volition in its lowest form: mere inclination. [Low L.velleitas, irregularly formed from L.velle, to wish.]
Vellenage, vel′en-Äj,n.(Spens.) slavery—the same asVilleinage. [Villain.]
Vellet, vel′et,n.(Spens.). Same asVelvet.
Vellicate, vel′i-kÄt,v.t.andv.i.to twitch.—n.VellicÄ′tion.—adj.Vell′icÄtive. [L.vellicÄre,-Ätum, to pluck.]
Vellon, ve-lyÅn′,n.a Spanish money of account.
Velloped, vel′opt,adj.(her.) having pendant wattles. [Prob.jellopedfordewlapped.]
Vellozia, ve-lÅ′zi-a,n.a genus of plants of the natural orderHæmodoraceæ, found in Brazil, Madagascar, &c. [Vellozo, Brazilian botanist.]
Vellum, vel′um,n.a finer kind of parchment prepared by lime-baths and burnishing from the skins of calves, kids, or lambs. [O. Fr.velin—Low L. (charta, paper),vitulina, of a calf—L.vitulus.]
Veloce, ve-lÅ′che,adv.(mus.) with great rapidity.
Velocipede, vē-los′i-pēd,n.a light vehicle originally moved by striking the toes on the road, now with a treadle—its developments are the bicycle and tricycle.—ns.Veloc′iman, a velocipede driven by hand;Velocipē′dean,Veloc′ipēdist, one who rides on a velocipede. [Fr.,—L.velox,velocis, swift,pes,pedis, foot.]
Velocity, vē-los′i-ti,n.swiftness: speed: rate of change of position of a point per unit of time.—n.Velocim′eter, an apparatus for measuring velocity.—Initial velocity, the rate of movement of a body at starting, esp. of a projectile. [L.velocitas—velox, swift.]
Velum, vē′lum,n.a velarium: the ciliated disc-like fold of the integument with which some embryo molluscs are provided:—pl.Vē′la.—adj.Vē′lÄte, having a velum.—n.VÄ“lÄ′tion, formation of a velum.—adjs.VÄ“lif′erous,VÄ“lig′erous, having a velum.
Velure, vel′ūr,n.velvet: a silk or plush pad for smoothing or giving lustre to silk hats—alsoVelours(ve-loor′).—v.t.to dress with a velure.—n.Veloutine′, a corded fabric of merino and fancy wool.—adj.Velū′tinous, velvety. [O. Fr.velours,velous(Fr.velours)—Low L.villosus, velvet—L.villosus, shaggy.]
Velvet, vel′vet,n.a cloth made from silk, with a close shaggy pile: a similar cloth made of cotton: the velvet-like covering of a growing antler: (slang) money gained by gambling.—adj.made of velvet: soft like velvet.—ns.Vel′veret, a poor quality of velvet, the web of cotton, the pile of silk;Velveteen′, a fustian made of twilled cotton with a pile of the same material: a kind of velvet made of silk and cotton mixed throughout;Vel′vet-flower, the love-lies-bleeding.—n.pl.Vel′vet-guards(Shak.), velvet trimmings, applied metaphorically to the citizens who wore them.—ns.Vel′veting, the nap of velvet: (pl.) velvet goods collectively;Vel′vet-leaf, the Indian mallow;Vel′vet-pÄ′per, flock paper;Vel′vet-pile, any material with a long, soft nap;Vel′vet-scÅ′ter, a kind of black duck with large white spot on the wings;Vel′vet-work, embroidery on velvet.—adj.Vel′vety, made of or like velvet: soft: soft in taste or touch.—Stand on velvet, to place one's bets in such a way as not to loose in any event. [From Low L.velluetum—Low L.villutus—L.villus, shaggy hair.]
Vena, vē′na,n.a vein.—Vena cava, the largest vein in the body, entering the right auricle of the heart.
Venal, vē′nal,adj.that may be sold or got for a price: held for sale: mercenary.—n.Venal′ity, quality of being venal: prostitution of talents or services for a reward.—adv.Vē′nally. [Fr.,—L.venalis—venus, sale; Gr.ÅnÄ“, purchase.]
Venal, vē′nal,adj.pertaining to a vein or veins: contained in the veins. [L.vena, a vein.]
Venatic,-al, vÄ“-nat′ik, -al,adj.pertaining to hunting.—adv.Venat′ically.—adj.VenatÅ′rial. [Venery.]
Venation, ve-nÄ′shun,n.the way in which the leaves of plants are arranged: in insects, the distribution of the veins of the wings. [Vein.]
Vend, vend,v.t.to give for sale, to sell: to give for money: to make an object of trade.—ns.Vendee′, the person to whom a thing is sold;Ven′der,-dor, one who sells;Vendibil′ity.—adj.Vend′ible, that may be sold: that may be disposed of as an object of trade.—n.something salable.—n.Ven′dibleness.—adv.Ven′dibly.—n.Vendue′(rare), a public auction. [Fr.vendre—L.vendĕre—venus, sale,dăre, to give.]
Vendace, ven′dÄs,n.a variety of the whitefish, found in Great Britain only in the Castle Loch at Lochmaben. [O. Fr.vendese,vandoise(Fr.vandoise); orig. unknown.]
Vendémiaire, vong-dÄ-mi-Är′,n.the first month in the French Revolutionary Calendar, from 22d September to 21st October. ['The vintage-month,' Fr.,—L.vindemia, vintage—vinum, wine,demÄ•re, to take off—de, off,emÄ•re, to take.]
Vendetta, ven-det′ta,n.the practice—not yet entirely extinct in Calabria and Corsica—of individuals taking private vengeance on those who have shed the blood of their relatives. [It.,—L.vindicta, revenge—vindicÄre, to claim.]
Veneer, ve-nēr′,v.t.to overlay or face with another and superior wood: to cover with a thin coating of any substance other than wood: to disguise with artificial attractiveness.—n.a thin coating, as of wood: false show or charm.—ns.Veneer′-cut′ter, a machine for cutting veneers from the block of wood;Veneer′ing, the act or art of overlaying an inferior wood with thin leaves of a more valuable kind: the thin leaf thus laid on. [Formerlyfineer; corr. from Ger.furniren—O. Fr.fornir(Fr.fournir), It.fornire, to furnish.]
Venefical, vÄ“-nef′i-kal,adj.poisonous, using sorcery—alsoVenefi′cial,Venefi′cious.—v.t.Ven′enÄte, to poison.—adj.poisoned.—n.VenenÄ′tion.—adjs.Venenif′luous;Ven′enous. [L.veneficium, a poisoning—venenum, poison,facÄ•re, to make.]
Venerable, ven′e-ra-bl,adj.that may be venerated: worthy of veneration, reverence, or honour: rendered sacred by religious or other associations: aged.—n.Ven′erableness.—adv.Ven′erably. [L.venerabilis—venerÄri, to venerate.]
Venerate, ven′e-rÄt,v.t.to honour or reverence with religious awe: to reverence: to regard with the greatest respect.—adjs.Ven′erant(rare),Ven′erÄtive, reverent.—ns.VenerÄ′tion, the act of venerating: the state of being venerated: the highest degree of respect and reverence: respect mingled with reverence and awe: awe;Ven′erÄtor, one who venerates. [L.venerÄri,-Ätus.]
Venereal, vÄ“-nē′rÄ“-al,adj.pertaining to or arising from sexual intercourse: exciting desire for sexual intercourse: curing venereal diseases.—adj.Venē′reous, lascivious: stimulating sexual desire, aphrodisiac.—n.Ven′ery, sexual intercourse. [L.venereus—Venus,VenÄ•ris, the goddess of love; conn. with L.venerÄri.]