VERDVerd, n. Etym: [See Vert, Verdant.]
1. (Eng. Forest Law) (a) The privilege of cutting green wood within a forest for fuel. (b) The right of pasturing animals in a forest. Burrill.
2. Greenness; freshness. [Obs.] Nares.
VERDANCYVer"dan*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being verdant.
VERDANT Ver"dant, a. Etym: [F. verdoyant, p. pr. of verdoyer to be verdant, to grow green, OF. verdoier, verdeier, fr. verd, vert, green, fr. L. viridis green, fr. virere to be green: cf. OF. verdant verdant, L. viridans, p. pr. of viridare to make green. Cf. Farthingale, Verjuice, Vert.]
1. Covered with growing plants or grass; green; fresh; flourishing; as, verdant fields; a verdant lawn. Let the earth Put forth the verdant grass. Milton.
2. Unripe in knowledge or judgment; unsophisticated; raw; green; as, a verdant youth. [Colloq.]
VERD ANTIQUE Verd` an*tique". Etym: [F. vert antique a kind of marble; verd, vert, green + antique ancient: cf. It. verde antico.] (Min.) (a) A mottled-green serpentine marble. (b) A green porphyry called oriental verd antique.
VERDANTLYVer"dant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a verdant manner.
VERDERER; VERDEROR Ver"der*er, Ver"der*or, n. Etym: [F. verdier, LL. viridarius, fr. L. viridis green.] (Eng. Forest Law)
Defn: An officer who has the charge of the king's forest, to preserve the vert and venison, keep the assizes, view, receive, and enroll attachments and presentments of all manner of trespasses. Blackstone.
VERDICT Ver"dict, n. Etym: [OE. verdit, OF. verdit, veirdit, LL. verdictum, veredictum; L. vere truly (fr. verus true) + dictum a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say. See Very, and Dictum.]
1. (Law)
Defn: The answer of a jury given to the court concerning any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal, committed to their examination and determination; the finding or decision of a jury on the matter legally submitted to them in the course of the trial of a cause.
Note: The decision of a judge or referee, upon an issue of fact, is not called a verdict, but a finding, or a finding of fact. Abbott.
2. Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be condemned by the verdict of the public. These were enormities condemned by the most natural verdict of common humanity. South. Two generations have since confirmed the verdict which was pronounced on that night. Macaulay.
VERDIGRIS Ver"di*gris, n. Etym: [F. vert-de-gris, apparently from verd, vert, green + de of + gris gray, but really a corruption of LL. viride aeris (equivalent to L. aerugo), from L. viridis green + aes, aeris, brass. See Verdant, and 2d Ore.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A green poisonous substance used as a pigment and drug, obtained by the action of acetic acid on copper, and consisting essentially of a complex mixture of several basic copper acetates.
2. The green rust formed on copper. [Colloq.]
Note: This rust is a carbonate of copper, and should not be confounded with true verdigris. U. S. Disp. Blue verdigris (Chem.), a verdigris having a blue color, used a pigment, etc. — Distilled verdigris (Old Chem.), an acid copper acetate; — so called because the acetic acid used in making it was obtained from distilled vinegar. — Verdigris green, clear bluish green, the color of verdigris.
VERDIGRISVer"di*gris, v. t.
Defn: To cover, or coat, with verdigris. [R.] "An old verdigrised brass bugle." Hawthorne.
VERDIN Ver"din, n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. verdino bright green, F. verdin the yellow-hammer.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small yellow-headed bird (Auriparus flaviceps) of LowerCalifornia, allied to the titmice; — called also goldtit.
VERDINEVer"dine, n. Etym: [F. verd, vert, green.] (Chem.)
Defn: A commercial name for green aniline dye.
VERDINGALEVer"din*gale, n.
Defn: See Farthingale. [Spelled also verdingall.] [Obs.]
VERDITVer"dit, n.
Defn: Verdict. Chaucer.
VERDITER Ver"di*ter, n. Etym: [F. vert-de-terre, literally, green of earth.] (Chem.) (a) Verdigris. [Obs.] (b) Either one of two pigments (called blue verditer, and green verditer) which are made by treating copper nitrate with calcium carbonate (in the form of lime, whiting, chalk, etc.) They consist of hydrated copper carbonates analogous to the minerals azurite and malachite. Verditer blue, a pale greenish blue color, like that of the pigment verditer.
VERDITUREVer"di*ture, n. Etym: [Cf. Verditer.]
Defn: The faintest and palest green.
VERDOYVer"doy, a. Etym: [F. verdoyer to become green. See Verdant.] (Her.)
Defn: Charged with leaves, fruits, flowers, etc.; — said of a border.
VERDUREVer"dure, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. viridis green. See Verdant.]
Defn: Green; greenness; freshness of vegetation; as, the verdure ofthe meadows in June.A wide expanse of living verdure, cultivated gardens, shady groves,fertile cornfields, flowed round it like a sea. Motley.
VERDUREDVer"dured, a.
Defn: Covered with verdure. Poe.
VERDURELESSVer"dure*less, a.
Defn: Destitute of verdure.
VERDUROUSVer"dur*ous, a.
Defn: Covered with verdure; clothed with the fresh green of vegetation; verdured; verdant; as, verdurous pastures. Milton.
VERECUNDVer"e*cund, a. Etym: [L. verecundus, fr. vereri to feel awe.]
Defn: Rashful; modest. [Obs.]
VERECUNDIOUSVer`e*cun"di*ous, a.
Defn: Verecund. [Obs.] "Verecundious generosity." Sir H. Wotton.
VERECUNDITYVer`e*cun"di*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being verecund; modesty. [Obs.]
VEREINVer*ein", n. [G.]
Defn: A union, association, or society; — used in names of German organizations.
VERETILLUMVer`e*til"lum, n. Etym: [L., dim. of veretrum the private parts.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of club-shaped, compound Alcyonaria belonging to Veretillum and allied genera, of the tribe Pennatulacea. The whole colony can move about as if it were a simple animal.
VERGALIEN; VERGALOOVer"ga*lien, Ver"ga*loo, n. Etym: [Cf. Virgouleuse.] (Bot.)
Defn: See Virgalieu.
VERGEVerge, n. Etym: [F. verge, L. virga; perhaps akin to E. wisp.]
1. A rod or staff, carried as an emblem of authority; as, the verge, carried before a dean.
2. The stick or wand with which persons were formerly admitted tenants, they holding it in the hand, and swearing fealty to the lord. Such tenants were called tenants by the verge. [Eng.]
3. (Eng. Law)
Defn: The compass of the court of Marshalsea and the Palace court, within which the lord steward and the marshal of the king's household had special jurisdiction; — so called from the verge, or staff, which the marshal bore.
4. A virgate; a yardland. [Obs.]
5. A border, limit, or boundary of a space; an edge, margin, or brink of something definite in extent. Even though we go to the extreme verge of possibility to invent a supposition favorable to it, the theory . . . implies an absurdity. J. S. Mill. But on the horizon's verge descried, Hangs, touched with light, one snowy sail. M. Arnold.
6. A circumference; a circle; a ring. The inclusive verge Of golden metal that must round my brow. Shak.
7. (Arch.) (a) The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft. Oxf. Gloss. (b) The edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a roof. Encyc. Brit.
8. (Horol.)
Defn: The spindle of a watch balance, especially one with pallets, as in the old vertical escapement. See under Escapement.
9. (Hort.) (a) The edge or outside of a bed or border. (b) A slip of grass adjoining gravel walks, and dividing them from the borders in a parterre.
10. The penis.
11. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The external male organ of certain mollusks, worms, etc. SeeIllustration in Appendix.
Syn.— Border; edge; rim; brim; margin; brink.
VERGEVerge, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Verged; p. pr. & vb. n. Verging.] Etym:[L. vergere to bend, turn, incline; cf. Skr. v to turn.]
1. To border upon; to tend; to incline; to come near; to approach.
2. To tend downward; to bend; to slope; as, a hill verges to the north. Our soul, from original instinct, vergeth towards him as its center. Barrow. I find myself verging to that period of life which is to be labor and sorrow. Swift.
VERGEBOARDVerge"board`, n. Etym: [Verge + board. Cf. Bargeboard.] (Arch.)
Defn: The ornament of woodwork upon the gable of a house, used extensively in the 15th century. It was generally suspended from the edge of the projecting roof (see Verge, n., 4), and in position parallel to the gable wall. Called also bargeboard.
VERGENCYVer"gen*cy, n.
1. The act of verging or approaching; tendency; approach. [R.]
2. (Opt.)
Defn: The reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens, used as measure of the divergence or convergence of a pencil of rays. [R.] Humphrey Lloyd.
VERGERVer"ger, n. Etym: [F. verger, from verge a rod. See 1st Verge.]
Defn: One who carries a verge, or emblem of office. Specifically: — (a) An attendant upon a dignitary, as on a bishop, a dean, a justice, etc. [Eng.] Strype. (b) The official who takes care of the interior of a church building.
VERGERVer"ger, n.
Defn: A garden or orchard. [Obs.]
VERGETTEVer`get`té", a. Etym: [Cf. F. vergeté.]
Defn: Divided by pallets, or pales; paly. W. Berry.
VERGETTEVer*gette", n. (Her.)
Defn: A small pale.
VERIDICAL Ve*rid"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. veridicus; verus true + dicere to say, tell.]
Defn: Truth-telling; truthful; veracious. [R.] Carlyle.
VERIFIABLEVer"i*fi`a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being verified; confirmable. Bp. Hall.
VERIFICATIONVer`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vérification.]
1. The act of verifying, or the state of being verified; confirmation; authentication.
2. (Law) (a) Confirmation by evidence. (b) A formal phrase used in concluding a plea. Verification of an equation (Math.), the operation of testing the equation of a problem, to see whether it expresses truly the conditions of the problem. Davies & Peck. (Math. Dict.)
VERIFICATIVEVer"i*fi*ca*tive, a.
Defn: Serving to verify; verifying; authenciating; confirming.
VERIFIERVer"i*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, verifies.
VERIFYVer"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Verified; p. pr. & vb. n. Verifying.]Etym: [F. vérifier, LL. verificare, from L. verus true + -ficare tomake. See Very, and -fy.]
1. To prove to be true or correct; to establish the truth of; to confirm; to substantiate. This is verified by a number of examples. Bacon. So shalt thou best fulfill, best verify. The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign. Milton.
2. To confirm or establish the authenticity of by examination or competent evidence; to authenciate; as, to verify a written statement; to verify an account, a pleading, or the like. To verify our title with their lives. Shak.
3. To maintain; to affirm; to support. [Obs.] Shak.
VERILOQUENTVe*ril"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. verus true + speaking.]
Defn: Speaking truth; truthful. [Obs.]
VERILYVer"i*ly, adv. Etym: [From Very.]
Defn: In very truth; beyond doubt or question; in fact; certainly.Bacon.Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the verily thoushalt be fed. Ps. xxxvii. 3.
VERINEVer"ine, n. Etym: [Contr. from veratrine.] (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid obtained as a yellow amorphous substance by the decomposition of veratrine.
VERISIMILAR Ver`i*sim"i*lar, a. Etym: [L. verisimilis; verus true + similis like, similar. See Very, and Similar.]
Defn: Having the appearance of truth; probable; likely. "How verisimilar it looks." Carlyle.
VERISIMILITUDE Ver`i*si*mil"i*tude, n. Etym: [L. verisimilitudo: cf. OF. verisimilitude. See Verisimilar.]
Defn: The quality or state of being verisimilar; the appearance of truth; probability; likelihood. Verisimilitude and opinion are an easy purchase; but true knowledge is dear and difficult. Glanvill. All that gives verisimilitude to a narrative. Sir. W. Scott.
VERISIMILITYVer`i*si*mil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Verisimilitude. [Obs.]The verisimility or probable truth. Sir T. Browne.
VERISIMILOUSVer`i*sim"i*lous, a.
Defn: Verisimilar. [Obs.]
VERITABLEVer"i*ta*ble, a. Etym: [F. véritable. See Verity.]
Defn: Agreeable to truth or to fact; actual; real; true; genuine."The veritable Deity." Sir W. Hamilton.— Ver"i*ta*bly, adv.
VERITASVer"i*tas, n. Etym: [Cf. F. véritas. See Verity.]
Defn: The Bureau Veritas. See under Bureau.
VERITY Ver"i*ty, n.; pl. Verities. Etym: [F. vérité, L. veritas, fr. verus true. See Very.]
1. The quality or state of being true, or real; consonance of a statement, proposition, or other thing, with fact; truth; reality. "The verity of certain words." Shak. It is a proposition of eternal verity, that none can govern while he is despised. South.
2. That which is true; a true assertion or tenet; a truth; a reality. Mark what I say, which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity. Shak.
VERJUICE Ver"juice`, n. Etym: [OE. vergeous, F. verjus, that is, the juice of green fruits; verd, vert, green + jus juice. See Verdant, and Juice.]
1. The sour juice of crab apples, of green or unripe grapes, apples, etc.; also, an acid liquor made from such juice.
2. Tartness; sourness, as of disposition.
VERMEILVer"meil, n. Etym: [F., vermilion, fr. LL. vermiculus, fr. L.vermiculus a little worm, the coccus Indicus, from vermis a worm. SeeWorm, and cf. Vermicule.]
1. Vermilion; also, the color of vermilion, a bright, beautiful red. [Poetic & R.] In her cheeks the vermeil red did show Like roses in a bed of lilies shed. Spenser.
2. Silver gilt or gilt bronze.
3. A liquid composition applied to a gilded surface to give luster to the gold. Knight.
VERMEOLOGISTVer`me*ol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One who treats of vermes, or worms; a helminthologist.
VERMEOLOGYVer`me*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [L. vermes worms + -logy.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A discourse or treatise on worms; that part of zoölogy which treats of worms; helminthology. [R.]
VERMES Ver"mes, n. pl. Etym: [L. vermes, pl. of vermis a worm.] (Zoöl.) (a) An extensive artificial division of the animal kingdom, including the parasitic worms, or helminths, together with the nemerteans, annelids, and allied groups. By some writers the branchiopods, the bryzoans, and the tunicates are also included. The name was used in a still wider sense by Linnæus and his followers. (b) A more restricted group, comprising only the helminths and closely allied orders.
VERMETIDVer"me*tid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of vermetus.
VERMETUSVer*me"tus, n. Etym: [NL., from L. vermis worm.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of many species of marine gastropods belonging to Vermetus and allied genera, of the family Vermetidæ. Their shells are regularly spiral when young, but later in life the whorls become separate, and the shell is often irregularly bent and contorted like a worm tube.
VERMICELLIVer`mi*cel"li, n. Etym: [It., pl. of vermicello, literally, a littleworm, dim. of verme a worm, L. vermis. See Worm, and cf. Vermicule,Vermeil.]
Defn: The flour of a hard and small-grained wheat made into dough, and forced through small cylinders or pipes till it takes a slender, wormlike form, whence the Italian name. When the paste is made in larger tubes, it is called macaroni.
VERMICIDEVer"mi*cide, n. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + caedere to kill.]
Defn: A medicine which destroys intestinal worms; a worm killer.Pereira.
VERMICIOUSVer*mi"cious, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to worms; wormy.
VERMICULAR Ver*mic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. vermiculus a little worm, dim. of vermis a worm: cf. F. vermiculaire. See Vermicelli.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a worm or worms; resembling a worm; shaped like a worm; especially, resembling the motion or track of a worm; as, the vermicular, or peristaltic, motion of the intestines. See Peristaltic. "A twisted form vermicular." Cowper.
VERMICULATE Ver*mic"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vermiculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Vermiculating.] Etym: [L. vermiculatus inlaid so as to resemble the tracks of worms, p. p. of vermiculari to be full of worms, vermiculus a little worm. See Vermicular.]
Defn: To form or work, as by inlaying, with irregular lines or impressions resembling the tracks of worms, or appearing as if formed by the motion of worms.
VERMICULATEVer*mic"u*late, a.
1. Wormlike in shape; covered with wormlike elevations; marked with irregular fine lines of color, or with irregular wavy impressed lines like worm tracks; as, a vermiculate nut.
2. Crawling or creeping like a worm; hence, insinuating; sophistical. "Vermiculate questions." Bacon. "Vermiculate logic." R. Choate.
VERMICULATEDVer*mic"u*la`ted, a.
Defn: Made or marked with irregular wavy lines or impressions; vermiculate. Vermiculated work, or Vermicular work (Arch.), rustic work so wrought as to have the appearance of convoluted worms, or of having been eaten into by, or covered with tracks of, worms. Gwilt.
VERMICULATIONVer*mic`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vermiculatio a being worm-eaten.]
1. The act or operation of moving in the manner of a worm; continuation of motion from one part to another; as, the vermiculation, or peristaltic motion, of the intestines.
2. The act of vermiculating, or forming or inlaying so as to resemble the motion, track, or work of a worm.
3. Penetration by worms; the state of being wormeaten.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A very fine wavy crosswise color marking, or a patch of such markings, as on the feathers of birds.
VERMICULEVer"mi*cule, n. Etym: [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis a worm. SeeVermicular.]
Defn: A small worm or insect larva; also, a wormlike body. [R.]Derham.
VERMICULITEVer*mic"u*lite, n. Etym: [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis worm.] (Min.)
Defn: A group of minerals having, a micaceous structure. They are hydrous silicates, derived generally from the alteration of some kind of mica. So called because the scales, when heated, open out into wormlike forms.
VERMICULOSE; VERMICULOUSVer*mic"u*lose`, Ver*mic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. vermiculosus. SeeVermicule.]
Defn: Containing, or full of, worms; resembling worms.
VERMIFORMVer"mi*form, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + -form.]
Defn: Resembling a worm in form or motions; vermicular; as, the vermiform process of the cerebellum. Vermiform appendix (Anat.), a slender blind process of the cæcum in man and some other animals; — called also vermiform appendage, and vermiform process. Small solid bodies, such as grape seeds or cherry stones, sometimes lodge in it, causing serious, or even fatal, inflammation. See Illust. under Digestion.
VERMIFORMIAVer`mi*for"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tribe of worms including Phoronis. See Phoronis.
VERMIFUGAL Ver*mif"u*gal, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + fugare to drive away, fr. fugere to flee. See Worm, and Fugitive.] (Med.)
Defn: Tending to prevent, destroy, or expel, worms or vermin; anthelmintic.
VERMIFUGEVer"mi*fuge, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vermifuge. See Vermifugal.] (Med.)
Defn: A medicine or substance that expels worms from animal bodies; an anthelmintic.
VERMILVer"mil, n.
Defn: See Vermeil. [Obs.] Spenser.
VERMILINGUIA Ver`mi*lin"gui*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vermis worm + lingua tongue.] [Called also Vermilingues.] (Zoöl.) (a) A tribe of edentates comprising the South American ant-eaters. The tongue is long, slender, exsertile, and very flexible, whence the name. (b) A tribe of Old World lizards which comprises the chameleon. They have long, flexible tongues.
VERMILIONVer*mil"ion, n. Etym: [F. vermillon. See Vermeil.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.
Note: The kermes insect has long been used for dyeing red or scarlet. It was formerly known as the worm dye, vermiculus, or vermiculum, and the cloth was called vermiculatia. Hence came the French vermeil for any red dye, and hence the modern name vermilion, although the substance it denotes is very different from the kermes, being a compound of mercury and sulphur. R. Hunt.
2. Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.
VERMILIONVer*mil"ion, v. t.
Defn: To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red; to cover with a delicate red.
VERMILYVer"mi*ly, n.
Defn: Vermeil. [Obs.] Spenser.
VERMINVer"min, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. Etym: [OE. vermine,F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf. LL. vermen a worm, L.verminosus full of worms. See Vermicular, Worm.]
1. An animal, in general. [Obs.] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. Acts x. 12. (Geneva Bible). This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a dangerous vermin, used to both elements. Holland.
2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels, rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. "Cruel hounds or some foul vermin." Chaucer. Great injuries these vermin, mice and rats, do in the field. Mortimer. They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the forest . . . is before them. Burke.
3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings. You are my prisoners, base vermin. Hudibras.
VERMINATE Ver"mi*nate, v. i. Etym: [L. verminare to have worms, fr. vermis a worm.]
Defn: To breed vermin.
VERMINATION Ver`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. verminatio the worms, a disease of animals, a crawling, itching pain.]
1. The generation or breeding of vermin. Derham.
2. A griping of the bowels.
VERMINLYVer"min*ly, a. & adv.
Defn: Resembling vermin; in the manner of vermin. [Obs.] Gauden.
VERMINOUS Ver"min*ous, a. Etym: [L. verminosus, fr. vermis a worm: cf. F. vermineux.]
1. Tending to breed vermin; infested by vermin. Some . . . verminous disposition of the body. Harvey.
2. Caused by, or arising from the presence of, vermin; as, verminous disease.
VERMINOUSLYVer"min*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a verminous manner.
VERMIPAROUSVer*mip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + parere to bring forth.]
Defn: Producing or breeding worms. "Vermiparous animals." Sir T.Browne.
VERMIVOROUS Ver*miv"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + vorare to devour: cf. F. vermivore.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Devouring worms; feeding on worms; as, vermivorous birds.
VERMUTHVer"muth, n. Etym: [F. vermout.]
Defn: A liqueur made of white wine, absinthe, and various aromatic drugs, used to excite the appetite. [Written also vermouth.]
VERNACLEVer"na*cle, n.
Defn: See Veronica, 1. [Obs.]
VERNACULAR Ver*nac"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. vernaculus born in one's house, native, fr. verna a slave born in his master's house, a native, probably akin to Skr. vas to dwell, E. was.]
Defn: Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth ornature; native; indigenous; — now used chiefly of language; as,English is our vernacular language. "A vernacular disease." Harvey.His skill the vernacular dialect of the Celtic tongue. Fuller.Which in our vernacular idiom may be thus interpreted. Pope.
VERNACULARVer*nac"u*lar, n.
Defn: The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the common forms of expression in a particular locality.
VERNACULARISMVer*nac"u*lar*ism, n.
Defn: A vernacular idiom.
VERNACULARIZATIONVer*nac"u*lar*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of making vernacular, or the state of being made vernacular. Fitzed. Hall.
VERNACULARLYVer*nac"u*lar*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vernacular manner; in the vernacular. Earle.
VERNACULOUSVer*nac"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. vernaculus. See Vernacular.]
1. Vernacular. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
2. Etym: [L. vernaculi, pl., buffoons, jesters.]
Defn: Scoffing; scurrilous. [A Latinism. Obs.] "Subject to the petulancy of every vernaculous orator." B. Jonson.
VERNAGEVer"nage, n. Etym: [It. vernaccia.]
Defn: A kind of sweet wine from Italy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
VERNAL Ver"nal, a. Etym: [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. vasanta, Icel. var, and E. Easter, east.]
1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom.
2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life. When after the long vernal day of life. Thomson. And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show Keble.
Vernal equinox (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward. — Vernal grass (Bot.), a low, soft grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; — also called sweet vernal grass. See Illust. in Appendix. — Vernal signs (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.
VERNANT Ver"nant, a. Etym: [L. vernans, p. pr. vernare to flourish, from ver spring.]
Defn: Flourishing, as in spring; vernal. [Obs.] "Vernant flowers."Milton.
VERNATEVer"nate, v. i. Etym: [See Vernant.]
Defn: To become young again. [Obs.]
VERNATION Ver*na"tion, n. Etym: [F. vernation: cf. L. vernatio the sloughing of the skin of snakes.] (Bot.)
Defn: The arrangement of the leaves within the leaf bud, as regards their folding, coiling, rolling, etc.; prefoliation.
VERNER'S LAWVer"ner's law. (Philol.)
Defn: A statement, propounded by the Danish philologist Karl Verner in 1875, which explains certain apparent exceptions to Grimm's law by the original position of the accent. Primitive Indo-European k, t, p, became first in Teutonic h, th, f, and appear without further change in old Teutonic, if the accent rested on the preceding syllable; but these sounds became voiced and produced g, d, b, if the accent was originally on a different syllable. Similarly s either remained unchanged, or it became z and later r. Example: Skt. sapta (accent on ultima), Gr. 'e`pta, Gothic sibun (seven). Examples in English are dead by the side of death, to rise and to rear.
VERNICLEVer"ni*cle, n.
Defn: A Veronica. See Veronica, 1. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.A vernicle had he sowed upon his cap. Chaucer.
VERNICOSEVer"ni*cose`, a. Etym: [See Varnish.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having a brilliantly polished surface, as some leaves.
VERNIERVer"ni*er, n. Etym: [So named after the inventor, Pierre Vernier.]
Defn: A short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument, as the limb of a sextant, or the scale of a barometer, for indicating parts of divisions. It is so graduated that a certain convenient number of its divisions are just equal to a certain number, either one less or one more, of the divisions of the instrument, so that parts of a division are determined by observing what line on the vernier coincides with a line on the instrument. Vernier calipers, Vernier gauge, a gauge with a graduated bar and a sliding jaw bearing a vernier, used for accurate measurements. — Vernier compass, a surveyor's compass with a vernier for the accurate adjustment of the zero point in accordance with magnetic variation. — Vernier transit, a surveyor's transit instrument with a vernier compass.
VERNILEVer"nile, a. Etym: [L. vernilis servile. See Vernacular.]
Defn: Suiting a salve; servile; obsequious. [R.]The example . . . of vernile scurrility. De Quincey.
VERNILITYVer*nil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. vernilitas.]
Defn: Fawning or obsequious behavior; servility. [R.] Bailey.
VERNINEVer"nine, n. Etym: [Vernal + -ine.] (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid extracted from the shoots of the vetch, red clover, etc., as a white crystalline substance.
VERNISHVer"nish, n. & v.
Defn: Varnish. [Obs.] Chaucer.
VERNONINVer"no*nin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A glucoside extracted from the root of a South African plant of the genus Vernonia, as a deliquescent powder, and used as a mild heart tonic.
VERONESEVer`o*nese", a. Etym: [It. Veronese.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Verona, in Italy.— n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A native of Verona; collectively, the people of Verona.
VERONICA Ve*ron"i*ca, n. Etym: [LL.; — so called from Veronica, a woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr.
1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly called also Vernacle, and Vernicle.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell. See Speedwell.
Note: Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes found in cultivation.
VERRAYVer"ray, a.
Defn: Very; true. [Obs.] Chaucer.
VERRAYMENTVer"ray*ment, adv. Etym: [OF. veraiement. See Very.]
Defn: Verily; truly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
VERRELVer"rel, n.
Defn: See Ferrule. [Obs.]
VERRICULATEVer*ric"u*late, a. Etym: [L. verriculum a net, seine.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having thickset tufts of parallel hairs, bristles, or branches.
VERRUCAVer*ru"ca, n.; pl. Verrucæ (#). [L. Cf. Verrugas.]
1. (Med.) A wart.
2. (Zoöl.) A wartlike elevation or roughness.
VERRUCIFORMVer*ru"ci*form, a. Etym: [L. verruca wart + -form.]
Defn: Shaped like a wart or warts.
VERRUCOSEVer"ru*cose`, a. Etym: [L. verrucosus, fr. verruca a wart.]
Defn: Covered with wartlike elevations; tuberculate; warty; verrucous; as, a verrucose capsule.
VERRUCOUSVer"ru*cous, a.
Defn: Verrucose.
VERRUCULOSEVer*ru"cu*lose`, a. Etym: [L. verrucula, dim. of verruca a wart.]
Defn: Minutely verrucose; as, a verruculose leaf or stalk.
VERRUGASVer*ru"gas, n. [Sp., warts. Cf. Verruca.] (Med.)
Defn: An endemic disease occurring in the Andes in Peru, characterized by warty tumors which ulcerate and bleed. It is probably due to a special bacillus, and is often fatal.
VERSVers, n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A verse or verses. See Verse. [Obs.] "Ten vers or twelve."Chaucer.
VERSABILITYVer`sa*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being versable. [R.] Sterne
VERSABLEVer"sa*ble, a. Etym: [L. versabilis: cf. F. versable. See Versatile.]
Defn: Capable of being turned. [R.]
VERSABLENESSVer"sa*ble*ness, n.
Defn: Versability. [R.]
VERSALVer"sal, a.
Defn: Universal. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak.
VERSANT Ver"sant, a. Etym: [L. versans, p. pr. versare to turn abound frequently, to turn over in the mind, to meditate. See Versatile.]
Defn: Familiar; conversant. [R.]Men not versant with courts of justice. Sydney Smith.
VERSANTVer"sant, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: The slope of a side of a mountain chain; hence, the general slope of a country; aspect.
VERSATILE Ver"sa*tile, a. Etym: [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.]
1. Capable of being turned round. Harte.
2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition.
3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. Macaulay.
4. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird. — Ver"sa*tile*ly, adv. — — Ver"sa*tile*ness, n.
VERSATILITYVer`sa*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. versatilité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being versatile; versatileness.
VERS DE SOCIETEVers` de so`cié`té". Etym: [F.]
Defn: See Society verses, under Society.
VERSE Verse, n. Etym: [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers. See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise, Averse, Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert, Obverse, Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]
1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe.
2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry. Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. Milton. Virtue was taught in verse. Prior. Verse embalms virtue. Donne.
3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: — (a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.
Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line. (b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.
Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551. (c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.
4. A piece of poetry. "This verse be thine." Pope. Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes. — Heroic verse. See under Heroic.
VERSEVerse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Versed; p. pr. & vb. n. Versing.]
Defn: To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.]Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. Shak.
VERSEVerse, v. i.
Defn: To make verses; to versify. [Obs.]It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. Sir P. Sidney.
VERSED Versed, a. Etym: [Cf. F. versé, L. versatus, p. p. of versari to turn about frequently, to turn over, to be engaged in a thing, passive of versare. See Versant, a.]
Defn: Acquainted or familiar, as the result of experience, study, practice, etc.; skilled; practiced. Deep versed in books and shallow in himself. Milton. Opinions . . . derived from studying the Scriptures, wherein he was versed beyond any person of his age. Southey. These men were versed in the details of business. Macaulay.
VERSEDVersed, a. Etym: [L. versus turned, p. p. vertere. See 1st Versed.](Math.)
Defn: Turned. Versed sine. See under Sine, and Illust. of Functions.
VERSEMANVerse"man, n.
Defn: Same as Versemonger. Prior.
VERSEMONGERVerse"mon`ger, n.
Defn: A writer of verses; especially, a writer of commonplace poetry; a poetaster; a rhymer; — used humorously or in contempt.
VERSERVers"er, n.
Defn: A versifier. B. Jonson.
VERSETVers"et, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A verse. [Obs.] Milton.
VERSICLEVer"si*cle, n. Etym: [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See Verse.]
Defn: A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people. The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. Strype.
VERSICOLOR; VERSICOLORED Ver"si*col`or, Ver"si*col`ored, a. Etym: [L. versicolor; versare to change + color color.]
Defn: Having various colors; changeable in color. "Versicolor, sweet- smelling flowers." Burton.
VERSICULARVer*sic"u*lar, a. Etym: [See Versicle.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to verses; designating distinct divisions of a writing.
VERSIFICATIONVer`si*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. versificatio: cf. F. versification.]
Defn: The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
VERSIFICATORVer"si*fi*ca`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A versifier. [R.] "The best versificator next Virgil." Dryden.
VERSIFIERVer"si*fi`er, n.
1. One who versifies, or makes verses; as, not every versifier is a poet. Dryden.
2. One who converts into verse; one who expresses in verse the ideas of another written in prose; as, Dr. Watts was a versifier of the Psalms.
VERSIFYVer"si*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Versified; p. pr. & vb. n.Versifying.] Etym: [OE. versifien, F. versifier, L. versificare;versus a verse + -ficare to make. See Verse, and -fy.]
Defn: To make verses.I'll versify in spite, and do my best. Dryden.
VERSIFYVer"si*fy, v. t.
1. To relate or describe in verse; to compose in verse. I'll versify the truth, not poetize. Daniel.
2. To turn into verse; to render into metrical form; as, to versify the Psalms. Chaucer.
VERSION Ver"sion, n. Etym: [F., from L. vertere, versum, to turn, to change, to translate. See Verse.]
1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation; conversion; turning. The version of air into water. Bacon.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A condition of the uterus in which its axis is deflected from its normal position without being bent upon itself. See Anteversion, and Retroversion.
3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language into another language.
4. A translation; that which is rendered from another language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the Scriptures (see under Authorized); the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament.
5. An account or description from a particular point of view, especially as contrasted with another account; as, he gave another version of the affair.
VERSIONISTVer"sion*ist, n.
Defn: One who makes or favors a version; a translator. [R.]
VERSOVer"so, n. Etym: [L. versus, p. p. of vertere to turn: cf. F. verso.](Print.)
Defn: The reverse, or left-hand, page of a book or a folded sheet of paper; — opposed to recto.
VERSORVer"sor, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vertere, versus, to turn. SeeVersion.] (Geom.)
Defn: The turning factor of a quaternion.
Note: The change of one vector into another is considered in quaternions as made up of two operations; 1st, the rotation of the first vector so that it shall be parallel to the second; 2d, the change of length so that the first vector shall be equal to the second. That which expresses in amount and kind the first operation is a versor, and is denoted geometrically by a line at right angles to the plane in which the rotation takes place, the length of this line being proportioned to the amount of rotation. That which expresses the second operation is a tensor. The product of the versor and tensor expresses the total operation, and is called a quaternion. See Quaternion. Quadrantal versor. See under Quadrantal.
VERSTVerst, n. Etym: [Russ. versta: cf. F. verste.]
Defn: A Russian measure of length containing 3,500 English feet.[Written also werst.]
VERSUALVer"su*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a verse.
VERSUS Ver"sus, prep. Etym: [L., toward, turned in the direction of, from vertere, versum, to turn. See Verse.]
Defn: Against; as, John Doe versus Richard Roe; — chiefly used in legal language, and abbreviated to v. or vs.
VERSUTEVer*sute", a. Etym: [L. versutus, fr. vertere, versum, to turn.]
Defn: Crafty; wily; cunning; artful. [R.]
VERTVert, n. Etym: [F., green, from L. viridis. See Verdant, and cf.Verd.]
1. (Eng. Forest Law) (a) Everything that grows, and bears a green leaf, within the forest; as, to preserve vert and venison is the duty of the verderer. (b) The right or privilege of cutting growing wood.
2. (Her.)
Defn: The color green, represented in a drawing or engraving by parallel lines sloping downward toward the right.
VERTEBERVer"te*ber, n.
Defn: A vertebra. [Obs.]
VERTEBRA Ver"te*bra, n.; pl. Vertebræ. Etym: [L. vertebra, fr. vertere to turn, change. See Verse.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: One of the serial segments of the spinal column.
Note: In many fishes the vertebræ are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebræ in different portions of the same column vary very greatly. A well-developed vertebra usually consists of a more or less cylindrical and solid body, or centrum, which is surmounted dorsally by an arch, leaving an opening which forms a part of the canal containing the spinal cord. From this dorsal, or neural, arch spring various processes, or apophyses, which have received special names: a dorsal, or neural, spine, spinous process, or neurapophysis, on the middle of the arch; two anterior and two posterior articular processes, or zygapophyses; and one or two transverse processes on each side. In those vertebræ which bear well- developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse process (diapophysis), while the end, or head, of the rib articulates at a more ventral capitular facet which is sometimes developed into a second, or ventral, transverse process (parapophysis). In vertebrates with well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided into five regions in each of which the vertebræ are specially designated: those vertebræ in front of, or anterior to, the first vertebra which bears ribs connected with the sternum are cervical; all those which bear ribs and are back of the cervicals are dorsal; the one or more directly supporting the pelvis are sacral and form the sacrum; those between the sacral and dorsal are lumbar; and all those back of the sacral are caudal, or coccygeal. In man there are seven cervical vertebræ, twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran.
VERTEBRALVer"te*bral, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vertébral.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vertebræ, or the vertebral column; spinal; rachidian.
2. Vertebrate.
VERTEBRALVer"te*bral, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A vertebrate. [R.]
VERTEBRALLYVer"te*bral*ly, adv. (Anat.)
Defn: At or within a vertebra or vertebræ; — distinguished from interverterbrally.
VERTEBRARTERIALVer`te*brar*te"ri*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vertebræ and an artery; — said of the foramina in the transverse processes of cervical vertebræ and of the canal which they form for the vertebral artery and vein.
VERTEBRATAVer`te*bra"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous vertebræ, together with Amphioxus in which the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord. The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia, and Leptocardia.
VERTEBRATEVer"te*brate, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Vertebrata.
VERTEBRATE; VERTEBRATEDVer"te*brate, Ver"te*bra`ted, a. Etym: [L. vertebratus.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: Having a backbone, or vertebral column, containing the spinal marrow, as man, quadrupeds, birds, amphibia, and fishes.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Contracted at intervals, so as to resemble the spine in animals. Henslow.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having movable joints resembling vertebræ; — said of the arms ophiurans.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Vertebrata; — used only in the form vertebrate.
VERTEBREVer"te*bre, n. (Anat.)
Defn: A vertebra. [Obs.]
VERTEBRO-Ver"te*bro-.
Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, a vertebra, vertebræ, or vertebral column; as in vertebrocostal.
VERTEBRO-ILIACVer"te*bro-il"i*ac, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Iliolumbar.
VERTEX Ver"tex, n.; pl. Vertexes, L. Vertices. Etym: [L. vertex, -icis, a whirl, top of the head, top, summit, from vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Vortex.]
Defn: A turning point; the principal or highest point; top; summit; crown; apex. Specifically: —(a) (Anat.)
Defn: The top, or crown, of the head. (b) (Anat.) The zenith, or the point of the heavens directly overhead. (c) (Math.) The point in any figure opposite to, and farthest from, the base; the terminating point of some particular line or lines in a figure or a curve; the top, or the point opposite the base.
Note: The principal vertex of a conic section is, in the parabola, the vertex of the axis of the curve: in the ellipse, either extremity of either axis, but usually the left-hand vertex of the transverse axis; in the hyperbola, either vertex, but usually the right-hand vertex of the transverse axis. Vertex of a curve (Math.), the point in which the axis of the curve intersects it. — Vertex of an angle (Math.), the point in which the sides of the angle meet. — Vertex of a solid, or of a surface of revolution (Math.), the point in which the axis pierces the surface.
VERTICALVer"ti*cal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vertical. See Vertex.]
1. Of or pertaining to the vertex; situated at the vertex, or highest point; directly overhead, or in the zenith; perpendicularly above one. Charity . . . is the vertical top of all religion. Jer. Taylor.
2. Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb; as, a vertical line. Vertical angle (Astron. & Geod.), an angle measured on a vertical circle, called an angle of elevation, or altitude, when reckoned from the horizon upward, and of depression when downward below the horizon. — Vertical anthers (Bot.), such anthers as stand erect at the top of the filaments. — Vertical circle (Astron.), an azimuth circle. See under Azimuth. — Vertical drill, an drill. See under Upright. — Vertical fire (Mil.), the fire, as of mortars, at high angles of elevation. — Vertical leaves (Bot.), leaves which present their edges to the earth and the sky, and their faces to the horizon, as in the Australian species of Eucalyptus. — Vertical limb, a graduated arc attached to an instrument, as a theodolite, for measuring vertical angles. — Vertical line. (a) (Dialing) A line perpendicular to the horizon. (b) (Conic Sections) A right line drawn on the vertical plane, and passing through the vertex of the cone. (c) (Surv.) The direction of a plumb line; a line normal to the surface of still water. (d) (Geom., Drawing, etc.) A line parallel to the sides of a page or sheet, in distinction from a horizontal line parallel to the top or bottom. — Vertical plane. (a) (Conic Sections) A plane passing through the vertex of a cone, and through its axis. (b) (Projections) Any plane which passes through a vertical line. (c) (Persp.) The plane passing through the point of sight, and perpendicular to the ground plane, and also to the picture. — Vertical sash, a sash sliding up and down. Cf. French sash, under 3d Sash. — Vertical steam engine, a steam engine having the crank shaft vertically above or below a vertical cylinder.
VERTICALVer"ti*cal, n.
1. Vertical position; zenith. [R.]
2. (Math.)
Defn: A vertical line, plane, or circle. Prime vertical, Prime vertical dial. See under Prime, a.
VERTICALITYVer`ti*cal"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being vertical; verticalness. [R.]The different points of the verticality. Sir T. Browne.
VERTICALLYVer"ti*cal*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vertical manner, position, or direction; perpendicularly; as, to look down vertically; to raise a thing vertically.
VERTICALNESSVer"ti*cal*ness, n.
Defn: Quality or state of being vertical.
VERTICIL Ver"ti*cil, n. Etym: [L. verticillus, dim. of vertex a whirl: cf. F. verticille. See Vertex.] (Bot.)
Defn: A circle either of leaves or flowers about a stem at the same node; a whorl. [Written also verticel.]
VERTICILLASTER Ver`ti*cil*las"ter, a. Etym: [NL., fr. L. verticillus a whirl + aster a star.] (Bot.)
Defn: A whorl of flowers apparently of one cluster, but composed of two opposite axillary cymes, as in mint. See Illust. of Whorl.
VERTICILLATE; VERTICILLATEDVer*tic"il*late, Ver*tic"il*la`ted, a. Etym: [See Verticil.] (Bot. &Zoöl.)
Defn: Arranged in a transverse whorl or whorls like the rays of a wheel; as, verticillate leaves of a plant; a verticillate shell.
VERTICILLUSVer`ti*cil"lus, n. Etym: [L., a whirl.] (Bot.)
Defn: A whorl; a verticil.
VERTICITYVer*tic"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. verticité. See Vertex.]
Defn: The quality or power of turning; revolution; rotation. [R.]Locke.I hardly believe he hath from elder times unknown the verticity ofthe loadstone. Sir T. Browne.
VERTICLEVer"ti*cle, n. Etym: [L. verticula a joint.]
Defn: An axis; hinge; a turning point. E. Waterhouse.
VERTIGINATEVer*tig"i*nate, a.
Defn: Turned round; giddy. [R.] Coleridge.
VERTIGINOUS Ver*tig"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. vertiginosus, fr. vertigo a whirling around, giddiness: cf. F. vertigineux. See Vertig.]
1. Turning round; whirling; rotary; revolving; as, vertiginous motion. Some vertiginous whirl of fortune. De Quincey.
2. Affected with vertigo; giddy; dizzy. They [the angels] grew vertiginous, and fell from the battlements of heaven. Jer. Taylor. — Ver*tig"i*nous*ly, adv. — Ver*tig"i*nous*ness, n.
VERTIGO Ver"ti*go, n; pl. E. Vertigoes, L. Vertigines. Etym: [L., fr. vertere to turn. See Verse.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: Dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of the head in which objects, though stationary, appear to move in various directions, and the person affected finds it difficult to maintain an erect posture; giddiness. Quian.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small land snails belonging to the genus Vertigo, having an elongated or conical spiral shell and usually teeth in the aperture.
VERTILINEARVer`ti*lin"e*ar, a. Etym: [Vertical + linear.]
Defn: Straight; rectilinear. [R.]
VERTUVer"tu, n.
1. Virtue; power. See Virtue. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. See Virtu.
VERTUOUSVer"tu*ous, a.
Defn: Virtuous; powerful. [Obs.] Spenser.
VERUMONTANUMVer`u*mon*ta"num, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)
Defn: An elevation, or crest, in the wall of the urethra where the seminal ducts enter it.
Note: This is sometimes written veru montanum.
VERVAIN Ver"vain, n. Etym: [OE. verveine, F. verveine, fr. L. verbena, pl. verbenae sacred boughs of laurel, olive, or myrtle, a class of plants; cf. verbenaca vervain. Cf. Verbena.] (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Verbena. Vervain mallow (Bot.), a species of mallow (Malva Alcea) with rose-colored flowers.
VERVEVerve, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Excitement of imagination such as animates a poet, artist, or musician, in composing or performing; rapture; enthusiasm; spirit; energy.
VERVELVer"vel, n.
Defn: See Varvel.
VERVETVer"vet, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South African monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus, or Lelandii). The upper parts are grayish green, finely specked with black. The cheeks and belly are reddish white.
VERY Ver"y, a. [Compar. Verier; superl. Veriest.] Etym: [OE. verai, verray, OF. verai, vrai, F. vrai, (assumed) LL. veracus, for L. verax true, veracious, fr. verus true; akin to OHG. & OS. war, G. wahr, D. waar; perhaps originally, that is or exists, and akin to E. was. Cf. Aver, v. t., Veracious, Verdict, Verity.]
Defn: True; real; actual; veritable. Whether thou be my very son Esau or not. Gen. xxvii. 21. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Prov. xvii. 9. The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness. Milton. I looked on the consideration of public service or public ornament to be real and very justice. Burke.
Note: Very is sometimes used to make the word with which it is connected emphatic, and may then be paraphrased by same, self-same, itself, and the like. "The very hand, the very words." Shak. "The very rats instinctively have quit it." Shak. "Yea, there where very desolation dwells." Milton. Very is used occasionally in the comparative degree, and more frequently in the superlative. "Was not my lord the verier wag of the two" Shak. "The veriest hermit in the nation." Pope. "He had spoken the very truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood." Hawthorne. Very Reverend. See the Note under Reverend.
VERYVer"y, adv.
Defn: In a high degree; to no small extent; exceedingly; excessively; extremely; as, a very great mountain; a very bright sum; a very cold day; the river flows very rapidly; he was very much hurt.
VERY'S NIGHT SIGNALS; VERY NIGHT SIGNALS; VERY'S LIGHT SIGNALS; VERYLIGHT SIGNALSVer"y's, or Ver"y, night signals . [After Lieut. Samuel W. Very, whoinvented the system in 1877.] (Naut.)