Defn: A system of signaling in which balls of red and green fire are fired from a pistol, the arrangement in groups denoting numbers having a code significance.
VESBIUMVes"bi*um, n. Etym: [NL., from L. Vesuvius, contr. Vesbius,Vesuvius.] (Chem.)
Defn: A rare metallic element of which little is known. It is said by Scacchi to have been extracted from a yellowish incrustation from the cracks of a Vesuvian lava erupted in 1631.
VESEVese, n. Etym: [Cf. Frese, n.]
Defn: Onset; rush; violent draught or wind. [Obs.] Chaucer.
VESICAVe*si"ca, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A bladder. Vesica piscis. Etym: [L., dish bladder.] (Eccl. Art) A glory, or aureole, of oval shape, or composed of two arcs of circles usually represented as surrounding a divine personage. More rarely, an oval composed of two arcs not representing a glory; a solid oval, etc.
VESICALVes"i*cal, a. Etym: [L. vesica bladder.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder. Dunglison.
VESICANTVes"i*cant, n. Etym: [L. vesica blister: cf. F. vésicant.] (Med.)
Defn: A vesicatory.
VESICATEVes"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vesicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Vesicating.] Etym: [See Vesicant.] (Med.)
Defn: To raise little bladders or blisters upon; to inflame and separate the cuticle of; to blister. Wiseman.
VESICATIONVes`i*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vésication.] (Med.)
Defn: The process of vesicating, or of raising blisters.
VESICATORYVes"i*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vésicatoire.] (Med.)
Defn: Tending, or having power, to raise a blister.— n.
Defn: A blistering application or plaster; a vesicant; an epispastic.
VESICLE Ves"i*cle, n. Etym: [L. vesicula, dim. of vesica a bladder, blister; akin to Skr. vasti bladder: cf. F. vésicule.]
Defn: A bladderlike vessel; a membranous cavity; a cyst; a cell.Specifically: —(a) (Bot.)
Defn: A small bladderlike body in the substance of vegetable, or upon the surface of a leaf. (b) (Med.)
Defn: A small, and more or less circular, elevation of the cuticle, containing a clear watery fluid. (c) (Anat.) A cavity or sac, especially one filled with fluid; as, the umbilical vesicle. (d) (Zoöl.) A small convex hollow prominence on the surface of a shell or a coral. (e) (Geol.) A small cavity, nearly spherical in form, and usually of the size of a pea or smaller, such as are common in some volcanic rocks. They are produced by the liberation of watery vapor in the molten mass.
VESICO-Ves"i*co-.
Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, the bla; as in vesicoprostatic, vesicovaginal.
VESICOPROSTATICVes`i*co*pro*stat"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of a pertaining to the bladder and the prostrate gland.
VESICOUTERINEVes`i*co*u"ter*ine, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder and the uterus.
VESICOVAGINALVes`i*co*vag"i*nal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder and the vagina.
VESICULAVe*sic"u*la, n.; pl. Vesiculæ . Etym: [L., dim. of vesica.] (Anat. &Med.)
Defn: A vesicle.
VESICULARVe*sic"u*lar, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vésiculaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to vesicles; esp., of or pertaining to the air vesicles, or air cells, of the lungs; as, vesicular breathing, or normal breathing, in which the air enters freely the air vesicles of the lungs.
2. Containing, or composed of, vesicles or vesiclelike structures; covered with vesicles or bladders; vesiculate; as, vesicular coral; vesicular lava; a vesicular leaf.
3. Having the form or structure of a vesicle; as, a vesicular body. Vesicular column (Anat.), a series of nerve cells forming one of the tracts distinguished in the spinal; — also called the ganglionic column. — Vesicular emphysema (Med.), emphysema of the lungs, in which the air vesicles are distended and their walls ruptured. — Vesicular murmur (Med.), the sound, audible on auscultation of the chest, made by the air entering and leaving the air vesicles of the lungs in respiration.
VESICULARIAVe*sic`u*la"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Vesicle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of marine Bryozoa belonging to Vesicularia and allied genera. They have delicate tubular cells attached in clusters to slender flexible stems.
VESICULATAVe*sic`u*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Vesicle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The campanularian medusæ.
VESICULATEVe*sic"u*late, a.
Defn: Bladdery; full of, or covered with, bladders; vesicular.
VESICULATEVe*sic"u*late, v. t.
Defn: To form vesicles in, as lava.
VESICULATIONVe*sic`u*la"tion, n. (Geol.)
Defn: The state of containing vesicles, or the process by which vesicles are formed.
VESICULITISVe*sic`u*li"tis, n. [NL.; vesicula + -itis.]
Defn: Inflammation of a vesicle.
VESICULOSE; VESICULOUS Ve*sic"u*lose`, Ve*sic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. vesiculosus: cf. F. vésiculeux.]
Defn: Bladdery; vesicular; vesiculate; composed of vesicles; covered with vesicles; as, a vesiculose shell.
VESPAVes"pa, n. Etym: [L., wasp.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Hymenoptera including the common wasps and hornets.
VESPER Ves"per, n. Etym: [L., the evening, the evening star, the west; akin to Gr. west. Cf. Hesperian, Vespers.]
Defn: The evening star; Hesper; Venus, when seen after sunset; hence, the evening. Shak.
VESPERVes"per, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the evening, or to the service of vespers; as, a vesper hymn; vesper bells. Vesper sparrow, the grass finch. See under Grass.
VESPERALVes"per*al, a.
Defn: Vesper; evening. [R.]
VESPERS Ves"pers, n.; pl. Etym: [OF. vespres, F. vêpres, LL. vesperae, fr. L. vespera evening. See Vesper, n.] (R. C. Ch.) (a) One of the little hours of the Breviary. (b) The evening song or service. Sicilian vespers. See under Sicilian, a.
VESPERTILIOVes`per*til"i*o, n. Etym: [L., a bat.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of bats including some of the common small insectivorous species of North America and Europe.
VESPERTILIONESVes`per*til`i*o"nes, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tribe of bats including the common insectivorous bats of America and Europe, belonging to Vespertilio and allied genera. They lack a nose membrane.
VESPERTILIONINEVes`per*til`i*o"nine, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Vespertiliones.
VESPERTINALVes"per*ti`nal, a.
Defn: Vespertine. Lowell.
VESPERTINEVes"per*tine, a. Etym: [L. vespertinus. See Vesper.]
1. Of or pertaining to the evening; happening or being in the evening. Gray.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Blossoming in the evening.
VESPIARYVes"pi*a*ry, n. Etym: [L. vespa a wasp.]
Defn: A nest, or habitation, of insects of the wasp kind.
VESPILLOVes*pil"lo, n.; pl. Vespilloes. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: One who carried out the dead bodies of the poor at night forburial.Like vespilloes or grave makers. Sir T. Browne.
VESSELVes"sel, n. Etym: [OF. vessel, veissel, vaissel, vaissiel, F.vascellum, dim. of vasculum, dim. of vas a vessel. Cf. Vascular,Vase.]
1. A hollow or concave utensil for holding anything; a hollow receptacle of any kind, as a hogshead, a barrel, a firkin, a bottle, a kettle, a cup, a bowl, etc. [They drank] out of these noble vessels. Chaucer.
2. A general name for any hollow structure made to float upon the water for purposes of navigation; especially, one that is larger than a common rowboat; as, a war vessel; a passenger vessel. [He] began to build a vessel of huge bulk. Milton.
3. Fig.: A person regarded as receiving or containing something; esp. (Script.), one into whom something is conceived as poured, or in whom something is stored for use; as, vessels of wrath or mercy. He is a chosen vessel unto me. Acts ix. 15. [The serpent] fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom To enter. Milton.
4. (Anat.)
Defn: Any tube or canal in which the blood or other fluids are contained, secreted, or circulated, as the arteries, veins, lymphatics, etc.
5. (Bot.)
Defn: A continuous tube formed from superposed large cylindrical or prismatic cells (tracheæ), which have lost their intervening partitions, and are usually marked with dots, pits, rings, or spirals by internal deposition of secondary membranes; a duct. Acoustic vessels. See under Acoustic. — Weaker vessel, a woman; — now applied humorously. "Giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel." 1 Peter iii. 7. "You are the weaker vessel." Shak.
VESSELVes"sel, v. t.
Defn: To put into a vessel. [Obs.] Bacon.
VESSELFULVes"sel*ful, n.; pl. Vesselfuls (.
Defn: As much as a vessel will hold; enough to fill a vessel.
VESSES; VESSETSVes"ses, Ves"sets, n.
Defn: A kind of worsted; also, a worsted cloth. [Prov. Eng.]
VESSICNON; VESSIGNON Ves"sic*non, Ves"sig*non, n. Etym: [F. vessigon, fr. L. vesica a bladder, blister.] (Far.)
Defn: A soft swelling on a horse's leg; a windgall.
VESTVest, n. Etym: [L. vestis a garment, vesture; akin to Goth. wasti,and E. wear: cf. F. veste. See Wear to carry on the person, and cf.Divest, Invest, Travesty.]
1. An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe. In state attended by her maiden train, Who bore the vests that holy rites require. Dryden.
2. Any outer covering; array; garb. Not seldom clothed in radiant vest Deceitfully goes forth the morn. Wordsworth.
3. Specifically, a waistcoat, or sleeveless body garment, for men, worn under the coat.
Syn. — Garment; vesture; dress; robe; vestment; waistcoat. — Vest, Waistcoat. In England, the original word waistcoat is generally used for the body garment worn over the shirt and immediately under the coat. In the United States this garment is commonly called a vest, and the waistcoat is often improperly given to an under-garment.
VESTVest, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vested; p. pr. & vb. n. Vesting.] Etym:[Cf. L. vestire, vestitum, OF. vestir, F. vêtir. See Vest, n.]
1. To clothe with, or as with, a vestment, or garment; to dress; to robe; to cover, surround, or encompass closely. Came vested all in white, pure as her mind. Milton. With ether vested, and a purple sky. Dryden.
2. To clothe with authority, power, or the like; to put in possession; to invest; to furnish; to endow; — followed by with before the thing conferred; as, to vest a court with power to try cases of life and death. Had I been vested with the monarch's power. Prior.
3. To place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; to commit to another; — with in before the possessor; as, the power of life and death is vested in the king, or in the courts. Empire and dominion was [were] vested in him. Locke.
4. To invest; to put; as, to vest money in goods, land, or houses. [R.]
5. (Law)
Defn: To clothe with possession; as, to vest a person with an estate; also, to give a person an immediate fixed right of present or future enjoyment of; as, an estate is vested in possession. Bouvier.
VESTVest, v. i.
Defn: To come or descend; to be fixed; to take effect, as a title or right; — followed by in; as, upon the death of the ancestor, the estate, or the right to the estate, vests in the heir at law.
VESTA Ves"ta, n. Etym: [L. Vesta, akin to Gr. ush to burn (see East), or perhaps to Skr. vas to dwell, and E. was.]
1. (Rom. Myth.)
Defn: One of the great divinities of the ancient Romans, identical with the Greek Hestia. She was a virgin, and the goddess of the hearth; hence, also, of the fire on it, and the family round it.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: An asteroid, or minor planet, discovered by Olbers in 1807.
3. A wax friction match. Simmonds.
VESTALVes"tal, a. Etym: [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal. SeeVesta.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.
VESTALVes"tal, n. Etym: [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale. SeeVestal, a.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
Note: The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the period of admission being from the sixth to the tenth year of the candidate's age.
2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun. How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! Pope.
VESTALESVes*ta"les, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Vestal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of butterflies including those known as virgins, or gossamer-winged butterflies.
VESTEDVest"ed, a.
1. Clothed; robed; wearing vestments. "The vested priest." Milton.
2. (Law)
Defn: Not in a state of contingency or suspension; fixed; as, vested rights; vested interests. Vested legacy (Law), a legacy the right to which commences in præsenti, and does not depend on a contingency; as, a legacy to one to be paid when he attains to twenty-one years of age is a vested legacy, and if the legatee dies before the testator, his representative shall receive it. Blackstone. — Vested remainder (Law), an estate settled, to remain to a determined person, after the particular estate is spent. Blackstone. Kent.
VESTED SCHOOLVest"ed school.
Defn: In Ireland, a national school which has been built by the aid of grants from the board of Commissioners of National Education and is secured for educational purposes by leases to the commissioners themselves, or to the commissioners and the trustees.
VESTIARIANVes`ti*a"ri*an, a. Etym: [See Vestiary.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vestiary or vestments.
VESTIARYVes"ti*a*ry, n. Etym: [L. vestiarium. See Vestry.]
Defn: A wardrobe; a robing room; a vestry. Fuller.
VESTIARYVes"ti*a*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to clothes, or vestments.
VESTIBULARVes*tib"u*lar, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vestibule; like a vestibule.
VESTIBULE Ves"ti*bule, n. Etym: [L. vestibulum, of uncertain origin: cf. F. vestibule.]
Defn: The porch or entrance into a house; a hall or antechamber next the entrance; a lobby; a porch; a hall. Vestibule of the ear. (Anat.) See under Ear. — Vestibule of the vulva (Anat.), a triangular space between the nymphæ, in which the orifice of the urethra is situated. — Vestibule train (Railroads), a train of passenger cars having the space between the end doors of adjacent cars inclosed, so as to admit of leaving the doors open to provide for intercommunication between all the cars.
Syn. — Hall; passage. — Vestibule, Hall, Passage. A vestibule is a small apartment within the doors of a building. A hall is the first large apartment beyond the vestibule, and, in the United States, is often long and narrow, serving as a passage to the several apartments. In England, the hall is generally square or oblong, and a long, narrow space of entrance is called a passage, not a hall, as in America. Vestibule is often used in a figurative sense to denote a place of entrance. "The citizens of Rome placed the images of their ancestors in the vestibules of their houses." Bolingbroke
VESTIBULED TRAINVestibuled train. (Railroad)
Defn: Same as Vestibule train, under Vestibule.
VESTIBULUMVes*tib"u*lum, n.; pl. Vestibula. Etym: [L., vestibule.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A cavity into which, in certain bryozoans, the esophagus and anus open.
VESTIGATEVes"ti*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. vestigatus, p. p. of vestigare. SeeVestige.]
Defn: To investigate. [Obs.]
VESTIGEVes"tige, n. Etym: [F., from L. vestigium footprint, trace, sign; thelast part (-stigium) is probably akin to E. sty, v. i. Cf.Investigate.]
Defn: The mark of the foot left on the earth; a track or footstep; a trace; a sign; hence, a faint mark or visible sign left by something which is lost, or has perished, or is no longer present; remains; as, the vestiges of ancient magnificence in Palmyra; vestiges of former population. What vestiges of liberty or property have they left Burke. Ridicule has followed the vestiges of Truth, but never usurped her place. Landor.
Syn. — Trace; mark; sign; token. — Vestige, Trace. These words agree in marking some indications of the past, but differ to some extent in their use and application. Vestige is used chiefly in a figurative sense, for the remains something long passed away; as, the vestiges of ancient times; vestiges of the creation. A trace is literally something drawn out in a line, and may be used in this its primary sense, or figuratively, to denote a sign or evidence left by something that has passed by, or ceased to exist. Vestige usually supposes some definite object of the past to be left behind; while a trace may be a mere indication that something has been present or is present; as, traces of former population; a trace of poison in a given substance.
VESTIGIALVes*tig"i*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a vestige.
VESTINGVest"ing, n.
Defn: Cloth for vests; a vest pattern.
VESTITUREVes"ti*ture, n. Etym: [See Vesture.]
Defn: In vestiture. [R.]
VESTLETVest"let, n. Etym: [Dim. of vest.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of actinians belonging to the genus Cerianthus. These animals have a long, smooth body tapering to the base, and two separate circles of tentacles around the mouth. They form a tough, flexible, feltlike tube with a smooth internal lining, in which they dwell, whence the name.
VESTMENT Vest"ment, n. Etym: [OE. vestement, vestiment, OF. vestement, vestiment, F. vêtement, fr. L. vestimentum, fr. vestire to clothe, fr. vestis a garment, clothing. See Vest.]
Defn: A covering or garment; some part of clothing or dress; specifically (Eccl.), any priestly garment. "Royal vestiment." Chaucer. "Priests in holy vestments." Shak. The sculptor could not give vestments suitable to the quality of the persons represented. Dryden.
VESTRY Ves"try, n.; pl. Vestries. Etym: [OE. vestrye, F. vestiaire, L. vestiarium, fr. vestiarius belonging to clothes, fr. vestis a garment. See Vest, n., and cf. Vestiary.]
1. A room appendant to a church, in which sacerdotal vestments and sacred utensils are sometimes kept, and where meetings for worship or parish business are held; a sacristy; — formerly called revestiary. He said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. 2 Kings x. 22.
2. (Ch. of Eng.)
Defn: A parochial assembly; an assembly of persons who manage parochial affairs; — so called because usually held in a vestry.
3. (Prot. Epis. Ch.)
Defn: A body, composed of wardens and vestrymen, chosen annually by a parish to manage its temporal concerns. Metropolitan vestry, in the city of London, and certain specified parishes and places in England, a body composed of householders who pay poor rates. Its duties include the repair of churches, care of highways, the appointment of certain officers, etc. — Select vestry, a select number of persons chosen in large and populous English parishes to represent and manage the concerns of the parish for one year. Mozley & W. — Vestry board (Ch. of Eng.), a vestry. See def. 2, above. — Vestry clerk, an officer chosen by the vestry, who keeps a record of its proceedings; also, in England, one who keeps the parish accounts and books. — Vestry meeting, the meeting of a vestry or vestry board; also, a meeting of a parish held in a vestry or other place.
VESTRYMANVes"try*man, n.; pl. Vestrymen (.
Defn: A member of a vestry; especially (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a member other than a warden. See Vestry.
VESTUREVes"ture, n. Etym: [OF. vesture, vesteure, F. vêture, LL. vestitura,from L. vestire to clothe, dress. See Vest, v. t., and cf.Vestiture.]
1. A garment or garments; a robe; clothing; dress; apparel; vestment; covering; envelope. Piers Plowman. Approach, and kiss her sacred vesture's hem. Milton. Rocks, precipices, and gulfs, appareled with a vesture of plants. Bentley. There polished chests embroidered vestures graced. Pope.
2. (O. Eng. Law) (a) The corn, grass, underwood, stubble, etc., with which land was covered; as, the vesture of an acre. (b) Seizin; possession.
VESTUREDVes"tured, a.
Defn: Covered with vesture or garments; clothed; enveloped.We be vestured with poor cloth. Ld. Berners.
VESUVIANVe*su"vi*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. Vésuvien, It. Vesuviano.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Vesuvius, a volcano near Naples.
VESUVIANVe*su"vi*an, n. Etym: [G. vesuvian. See Vesuvian, a.] (Min.)
Defn: Vesuvianite.
VESUVIANITEVe*su"vi*an*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: A mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals, and also massive, of a brown to green color, rarely sulphur yellow and blue. It is a silicate of alumina and lime with some iron magnesia, and is common at Vesuvius. Also called idocrase.
VESUVINEVe*su"vine, n.
Defn: A trade name for a brown dyestuff obtained from certain basic azo compounds of benzene; — called also Bismarck brown, Manchester brown, etc.
VETCH Vetch, n. Etym: [Also fitch; OE. ficche, feche, for veche, OF. veche, vecce, vesche, vesce, F. vesce, fr. L. vicia.] (Bot.)
Defn: Any leguminous plant of the genus Vicia, some species of which are valuable for fodder. The common species is V. sativa.
Note: The name is also applied to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of the genus Lathyrus; the horse vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis; the kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria); the milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice (Abrus precatorius).
VETCHLINGVetch"ling, n. Etym: [Vetch + -ling.] (Bot.)
Defn: Any small leguminous plant of the genus Lathyrus, especially L.Nissolia.
VETCHYVetch"y, a.
1. Consisting of vetches or of pea straw. "A vetchy bed." Spenser.
2. Abounding with vetches.
VETERANVet"er*an, a. Etym: [L. veteranus, from vetus, veteris, old; akin toGr. vatsara. See Wether.]
Defn: Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced; as, a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill. The insinuating eloquence and delicate flattery of veteran diplomatists and courtiers. Macaulay.
VETERANVet"er*an, n. Etym: [L. veteranus (sc. miles): cf. F. vétéran.]
Defn: One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has had. Ensigns that pierced the foe's remotest lines, The hardy veteran with tears resigns. Addison.
Note: In the United States, during the civil war, soldiers who had served through one term of enlistment and had reënlisted were specifically designated veterans.
VETERANIZEVet"er*an*ize, v. i.
Defn: To reënlist for service as a soldier. [U.S.] Gen. W. T.Sherman.
VETERINARIANVet`er*i*na"ri*an, n. Etym: [L. veterinarius. See Veterinary.]
Defn: One skilled in the diseases of cattle or domestic animals; a veterinary surgeon.
VETERINARY Vet"er*i*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. veterinarius of or belonging to beasts of burden an draught, fr. veterinus, probably originally, of or pertaining to yearlings: cf. F. vétérinaire. See Veteran, Wether.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the art of healing or treating the diseases of domestic animals, as oxen, horses, sheep, etc.; as, a veterinary writer or school.
VETIVERVet"i*ver, n. (Bot.)
Defn: An East Indian grass (Andropogon muricatus); also, its fragrant roots which are much used for making mats and screens. Also called kuskus, and khuskhus. [Sometimes written vetivert, and vitivert.]
VETOVe"to, n.; pl. Vetoes (. Etym: [L. veto I forbid.]
1. An authoritative prohibition or negative; a forbidding; an interdiction. This contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family. G. Eliot.
2. Specifically: — (a) A power or right possessed by one department of government to forbid or prohibit the carrying out of projects attempted by another department; especially, in a constitutional government, a power vested in the chief executive to prevent the enactment of measures passed by the legislature. Such a power may be absolute, as in the case of the Tribunes of the People in ancient Rome, or limited, as in the case of the President of the United States. Called also the veto power. (b) The exercise of such authority; an act of prohibition or prevention; as, a veto is probable if the bill passes. (c) A document or message communicating the reasons of the executive for not officially approving a proposed law; — called also veto message. [U.S.]
Note: Veto is not a term employed in the Federal Constitution, but seems to be of popular use only. Abbott.
VETOVe"to, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vetoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vetoing.]
Defn: To prohibit; to negative; also, to refuse assent to, as a legislative bill, and thus prevent its enactment; as, to veto an appropriation bill.
VETOISTVe"to*ist, n.
Defn: One who uses, or sustains the use of, the veto.
VETTURA Vet*tu"ra, n.; pl. Vetture. Etym: [It. vettura, fr. L. vectura conveyance. Cf. Vecture.]
Defn: An Italian four-wheeled carriage, esp. one let for hire; a hackney coach.
VETTURINOVet`tu*ri"no, n.; pl. Vetturini. Etym: [It.]
1. One who lets or drives a vettura.
2. A vettura.
VETUSTVe*tust", a. Etym: [L. vetustus old, ancient.]
Defn: Venerable from antiquity; ancient; old. [Obs.]
VEX Vex, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vexed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vexing.] Etym: [F. vexer, L. vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally, to shake, toss, in carrying, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum, to carry. See Vehicle.]
1. To to White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars. Pope.
2. To make angry or annoyed by little provocations; to irritate; to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict; to trouble; to tease. "I will not vex your souls." Shak. Then thousand torments vex my heart. Prior.
3. To twist; to weave. [R.] Some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom. Dryden.
Syn.— See Tease.
VEXVex, v. i.
Defn: To be irritated; to fret. [R.] Chapman.
VEXATIONVex*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. vexatio: cf. F. vexation.]
1. The act of vexing, or the state of being vexed; agitation; disquiet; trouble; irritation. Passions too violent . . . afford us nothing but vexation and pain. Sir W. Temple. Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation. Macaulay.
2. The cause of trouble or disquiet; affliction. Your children were vexation to your youth. Shak.
3. A harassing by process of law; a vexing or troubling, as by a malicious suit. Bacon.
Syn. — Chagrin; agitation; mortification; uneasiness; trouble; grief; sorrow; distress. See Chagrin.
VEXATIOUSVex*a"tious, a. Etym: [See Vexation.]
1. Causing vexation; agitating; afflictive; annoying; as, a vexatious controversy; a vexatious neighbor. "Continual vexatious wars." South.
2. Full or vexation, trouble, or disquiet; disturbed. He leads a vexatious life. Sir K. Digby. Vexatious suit (Law), a suit commenced for the purpose of giving trouble, or without cause. — Vex*a"tious*ly, adv. — Vex*a"tious*ness, n.
VEXEDVexed, a.
1. Annoyed; harassed; troubled.
2. Much debated or contested; causing discussion; as, a vexed question.
VEXERVex"er, n.
Defn: One who vexes or troubles.
VEXILVex"il, n.
Defn: A vexillum.
VEXILLAR; VEXILLARY Vex"il*lar, Vex"il*la*ry,Etym: [Cf. F. vexillaire, L. vexillarius a standard bearer.]
1. Of or pertaining to an ensign or standard.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the vexillum, or upper petal of papilionaceous flowers. Vexilary æstivation (Bot.), a mode of æstivation in which one large upper petal folds over, and covers, the other smaller petals, as in most papilionaceous plants.
VEXILLARYVex"il*la*ry, n. Etym: [L. vexillarius: cf. F. vexillaire.]
Defn: A standard bearer. Tennyson.
VEXILLATIONVex`il*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vexillatio.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A company of troops under one vexillum.
VEXILLUMVex*il"lum, n.; pl. Vexilla. Etym: [L., a standard, a flag.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) (a) A flag or standard. (b) A company of troops serving under one standard.
2. (Eccl.) (a) A banner. (b) The sign of the cross.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: The upper petal of a papilionaceous flower; the standard.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The rhachis and web of a feather taken together; the vane.
VEXINGLYVex"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vexing manner; so as to vex, tease, or irritate. Tatler.
V HOOKV" hook`. (Steam Engine)
Defn: A gab at the end of an eccentric rod, with long jaws, shaped like the letter V.
VIAVi"a, n. Etym: [L. See Way.]
Defn: A road way. Via Lactea Etym: [L.] (Anat.), the Milky Way, or Galaxy. See Galaxy, 1. — Via media Etym: [L.] (Theol.), the middle way; — a name applied to their own position by the Anglican high-churchmen, as being between the Roman Catholic Church and what they term extreme Protestantism.
VIAVi"a, prep. Etym: [L., ablative of via way. See Way.]
Defn: By the way of; as, to send a letter via Queenstown to London.
VIABILITYVi`a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being viable. Specifically: —(a) (Law)
Defn: The capacity of living after birth. Bouvier. (b) The capacity of living, or being distributed, over wide geographical limits; as, the viability of a species.
VIABLEVi"a*ble, a. Etym: [F., from vie life, L. vita. See Vital.] (Law)
Defn: Capable of living; born alive and with such form and development of organs as to be capable of living; — said of a newborn, or a prematurely born, infant.
Note: Unless he [an infant] is born viable, he acquires no rights, and can not transmit them to his heirs, and is considered as if he had never been born. Bouvier.
VIADUCT Vi`a*duct, n. Etym: [L. via a way + -duct, as in aqueduct: cf. F. viaduc. See Via, and Aqueduct.]
Defn: A structure of considerable magnitude, usually with arches or supported on trestles, for carrying a road, as a railroad, high above the ground or water; a bridge; especially, one for crossing a valley or a gorge. Cf. Trestlework.
VIAGEVi"age, n. Etym: [See Voyage.]
Defn: A voyage; a journey. [Obs.] Chaucer. Gower.
VIALVi"al, n. Etym: [OE. viole, fiole, F. fiole. See Phial.]
Defn: A small bottle, usually of glass; a little glass vessel with a narrow aperture intended to be closed with a stopper; as, a vial of medicine. [Written also phial.] Take thou this vial, being then in bed, And this distilled liquor thou off. Shak.
VIAL Vi"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vialed or Vialled; p. pr. & vb. n. Vialing or Vialling.]
Defn: To put in a vial or vials. "Precious vialed liquors." Milton.
VIAMETERVi*am"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. via a way + -meter.]
Defn: An odometer; — called also viatometer.
VIAND Vi"and, n. Etym: [F. viande meat, food, LL. vianda, vivanda, vivenda, properly, things to live on, fr. L. vivere to live; akin to vivus living. See Vivid, and cf. Victualis.]
Defn: An article of food; provisions; food; victuals; — used chieflyin the plural. Cowper.Viands of various kinds allure the taste. Pope.
VIANDERVi"and*er, n.
Defn: A feeder; an eater; also, one who provides viands, or food; a host. [Obs.] Holinshed.
VI-APPLEVi"-ap`ple, n.
Defn: See Otaheite apple.
VIARYVi"a*ry, a. Etym: [L. viarius, fr. via a way, road.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to roads; happening on roads. [Obs.]
VIATECTUREVi"a*tec`ture, n. Etym: [L. via way + -tecture, as in architecture.]
Defn: The art of making roads or ways for traveling, including the construction of bridges, canals, viaducts, etc. [R.] R. Park.
VIATICVi*at"ic, a. Etym: [L. viaticus, fr. via a way. See Voyage.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a journey or traveling.
VIATICUMVi*at"i*cum, n. Etym: [L., from viaticus, a. See Viatic.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: An allowance for traveling expenses made to those who were sent into the provinces to exercise any office or perform any service.
2. Provisions for a journey. Davies (Wit's Pilgr.).
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: The communion, or eucharist, when given to persons in danger of death.
VIATOMETERVi`a*tom"e*ter, n.
Defn: A viameter.
VIBICES Vi*bi"ces, n. pl. Etym: [L., pl. of vibex, -icis, the mark of a blow.] (Med.)
Defn: More or less extensive patches of subcutaneous extravasation of blood.
VIBRACULUM Vi*brac"u*lum, n.; pl. Vibracula. Etym: [NL., dim. from L. vibrare to vibrate.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the movable, slender, spinelike organs or parts with which certain bryozoans are furnished. They are regarded as specially modified zooids, of nearly the same nature as Avicularia.
VIBRANCYVi"bran*cy, n.
Defn: The state of being vibrant; resonance.
VIBRANTVi"brant, a. Etym: [L. vibrans, p. pr.: cf. F. vibrant. See Vibrate.]
Defn: Vibrating; tremulous; resonant; as, vibrant drums. Longfellow.
VIBRATE Vi"brate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vibrate; p. pr. & vb. n. Vibrating.] Etym: [L. vibratus, p. p. of vibrare, v. t. & v. i., to snake, brandish, vibrate; akin to Skr. vip to tremble, Icel. veifa to wave, vibrate. See Waive and cf. Whip, v. t.]
1. To brandish; to move to and fro; to swing; as, to vibrate a sword or a staff.
2. To mark or measure by moving to and fro; as, a pendulum vibrating seconds.
3. To affect with vibratory motion; to set in vibration. Breath vocalized, that is, vibrated or undulated, may . . . impress a swift, tremulous motion. Holder. Star to star vibrates light. Tennyson.
VIBRATEVi"brate, v. i.
1. To move to and fro, or from side to side, as a pendulum, an elastic rod, or a stretched string, when disturbed from its position of rest; to swing; to oscillate.
2. To have the constituent particles move to and fro, with alternate compression and dilation of parts, as the air, or any elastic body; to quiver.
3. To produce an oscillating or quivering effect of sound; as, a whisper vibrates on the ear. Pope.
4. To pass from one state to another; to waver; to fluctuate; as, a man vibrates between two opinions.
VIBRATILEVi"bra*tile, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vibratile.]
Defn: Adapted to, or used in, vibratory motion; having the power of vibrating; vibratory; as, the vibratile organs of insects.
VIBRATILITYVi`bra*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vibratilité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being vibratile; disposition to vibration or oscillation. Rush.
VIBRATIONVi*bra"tion, n. Etym: [L. vibratio: cf. F. vibration.]
1. The act of vibrating, or the state of being vibrated, or in vibratory motion; quick motion to and fro; oscillation, as of a pendulum or musical string. As a harper lays his open palm Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations. Longfellow.
2. (Physics)
Defn: A limited reciprocating motion of a particle of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from its position of equilibrium, when that equilibrium has been disturbed, as when a stretched cord or other body produces musical notes, or particles of air transmit sounds to the ear. The path of the particle may be in a straight line, in a circular arc, or in any curve whatever.
Note: Vibration and oscillation are both used, in mechanics, of the swinging, or rising and falling, motion of a suspended or balanced body; the latter term more appropriately, as signifying such motion produced by gravity, and of any degree of slowness, while the former applies especially to the quick, short motion to and fro which results from elasticity, or the action of molecular forces among the particles of a body when disturbed from their position of rest, as in a spring. Amplitude of vibration, the maximum displacement of a vibrating particle or body from its position of rest. — Phase of vibration, any part of the path described by a particle or body in making a complete vibration, in distinction from other parts, as while moving from one extreme to the other, or on one side of the line of rest, in distinction from the opposite. Two particles are said to be in the same phase when they are moving in the same direction and with the same velocity, or in corresponding parts of their paths.
VIBRATIUNCLEVi*bra"ti*un`cle, a. Etym: [Dim. of vibration.]
Defn: A small vibration. [R.] Chambers.
VIBRATIVEVi"bra*tive, a. Vibrating
Defn: ; vibratory. "A vibrative motion." Sir I. Newton.
VIBRATOR Vi"bra*tor, n. One that vibrates, or causes vibration or oscillation of any kind; specif. (a) (Elec.) (1)
Defn: A trembler, as of an electric bell. (2)
Defn: A vibrating reed for transmitting or receiving pulsating currents in a harmonic telegraph system. (3)
Defn: A device for vibrating the pen of a siphon recorder to diminish frictional resistance on the paper. (4) An oscillator. (b) An ink-distributing roller in a printing machine, having an additional vibratory motion. (a) (Music) A vibrating reed, esp. in a reed organ. (d) (Weaving) Any of various vibrating devices, as one for slackening the warp as a shed opens. (e) An attachment, usually pneumatic, in a molding machine to shake the pattern loose.
VIBRATORYVi"bra*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vibratoire.]
Defn: Consisting in, or causing, vibration, or oscillation; vibrating; as, a vibratory motion; a vibratory power.
VIBRIO Vib"ri*o, n.; pl. E. Vibrios, L. Vibriones. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vibrare to vibrate, to move by undulations.] (Biol.)
Defn: A genus of motile bacteria characterized by short, slightly sinuous filaments and an undulatory motion; also, an individual of this genus.
VIBRISSA Vi*bris"sa, n.; pl. Vibrissæ. Etym: [L. vibrissae, pl., the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. vibrare to vibrate; — so called because touching them tickles a person, and causes him to shake his head.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many animals, as the so- called whiskers of the cat, and the hairs of the nostrils of man.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many birds.
VIBROGRAPHVi"bro*graph, n. [Vibrate + -graph.]
Defn: An instrument to observe and record vibrations.
VIBROSCOPEVi"bro*scope, n.
1. An instrument for observing or tracing vibrations.
2. An instrument resembling the phenakistoscope.
VIBURNUMVi*bur"num, n. Etym: [L., the wayfaring tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of shrubs having opposite, petiolate leaves and cymose flowers, several species of which are cultivated as ornamental, as the laurestine and the guelder-rose.
VICAR Vic"ar, n. Etym: [OE. vicar, viker, vicair, F. vicaire, fr. L. vicarius. See Vicarious.]
1. One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [R.]
2. (Eng. Eccl. Law)
Defn: The incumbent of an appropriated benefice.
Note: The distinction between a parson [or rector] and vicar is this: The parson has, for the most part, the whole right to the ecclesiastical dues in his parish; but a vicar has generally an appropriator over him, entitled to the best part of the profits, to whom he is in fact perpetual curate with a standing salary. Burrill. Apostolic vicar, or Vicar apostolic. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A bishop to whom the Roman pontiff delegates a portion of his jurisdiction. (b) Any ecclesiastic acting under a papal brief, commissioned to exercise episcopal authority. (c) A titular bishop in a country where there is no episcopal see, or where the succession has been interrupted. — Vicar forane. Etym: [Cf. LL. foraneus situated outside of the episcopal city, rural. See Vicar, and Foreign.] (R. C. Ch.) A dignitary or parish priest appointed by a bishop to exercise a limited jurisdiction in a particular town or district of a diocese. Addis & Arnold. — Vicar-general. (a) (Ch. of Eng.) The deputy of the Archbishop of Canterbury or York, in whose court the bishops of the province are confirmed. Encyc. Brit. (b) (R. C. Ch.) An assistant to a bishop in the discharge of his official functions. — Vicar of Jesus Christ (R. C. Ch.), the pope as representing Christ on earth.
VICARAGEVic"ar*age (; 48), n.
1. The benefice of a vicar.
2. The house or residence of a vicar.
VICARIALVi*ca"ri*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vicarial.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vicar; as, vicarial tithes.
2. Delegated; vicarious; as, vicarial power.
VICARIANVi*ca"ri*an, n.
Defn: A vicar. [Obs.] Marston.
VICARIATEVi*ca"ri*ate, a.
Defn: Having delegated power, as a vicar; vicarious. Barrow.
VICARIATEVi*ca"ri*ate, n. Etym: [LL. vicariatus, or F. vicariat.]
Defn: Delegated office or power; vicarship; the office or oversightof a vicar.The vicariate of that part of Germany which is governed by the Saxonlaws devolved on the elector of Saxony. Robertson.
VICARIOUS Vi*ca"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. vicarius, from vicis change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See Weak, and cf. Vice, prep.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority.
2. Acting of suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer. The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient, and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty. Sir M. Hale.
3. Performed of suffered in the place of another; substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious punishment. The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer. I. Taylor.
4. (Med.)
Defn: Acting as a substitute; — said of abnormal action which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious hemorrhage replacing menstruation.
VICARIOUSLYVi*ca"ri*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vicarious manner.
VICARSHIPVic"ar*ship, n.
Defn: The office or dignity of a vicar.
VICARYVic"ar*y, n. Etym: [L. vicarius.]
Defn: A vicar. [Obs.]
VICEVice, n. Etym: [F., from L. vitium.]
1. A defect; a fault; an error; a blemish; an imperfection; as, the vices of a political constitution; the vices of a horse. Withouten vice of syllable or letter. Chaucer. Mark the vice of the procedure. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. A moral fault or failing; especially, immoral conduct or habit, as in the indulgence of degrading appetites; customary deviation in a single respect, or in general, from a right standard, implying a defect of natural character, or the result of training and habits; a harmful custom; immorality; depravity; wickedness; as, a life of vice; the vice of intemperance. I do confess the vices of my blood. Shak. Ungoverned appetite . . . a brutish vice. Milton. When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station. Addison.
3. The buffoon of the old English moralities, or moral dramas, having the name sometimes of one vice, sometimes of another, or of Vice itself; — called also Iniquity.
Note: This character was grotesquely dressed in a cap with ass's ears, and was armed with a dagger of lath: one of his chief employments was to make sport with the Devil, leaping on his back, and belaboring him with the dagger of lath till he made him roar. The Devil, however, always carried him off in the end. Nares. How like you the Vice in the play . . . I would not give a rush for a Vice that has not a wooden dagger to snap at everybody. B. Jonson.
Syn.— Crime; sin; iniquity; fault. See Crime.
VICEVice, n. Etym: [See Vise.]
1. (Mech.)
Defn: A kind of instrument for holding work, as in filing. Same asVise.
2. A tool for drawing lead into cames, or flat grooved rods, for casements. [Written also vise.]
3. A gripe or grasp. [Obs.] Shak.
VICEVice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Viced; p. pr. & vb. n. Vicing.]
Defn: To hold or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice. Shak.The coachman's hand was viced between his upper and lower thigh. DeQuincey.
VICEVi"ce, prep. Etym: [L., abl. of vicis change, turn. See Vicarious.]
Defn: In the place of; in the stead; as, A. B. was appointed postmaster vice C. D. resigned.
VICEVice, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vice-. See Vice, prep.]
Defn: Denoting one who in certain cases may assume the office or duties of a superior; designating an officer or an office that is second in rank or authority; as, vice president; vice agent; vice consul, etc. Vice admiral. Etym: [Cf. F. vice-amiral.] (a) An officer holding rank next below an admiral. By the existing laws, the rank of admiral and vice admiral in the United States Navy will cease at the death of the present incumbents. (b) A civil officer, in Great Britain, appointed by the lords commissioners of the admiralty for exercising admiralty jurisdiction within their respective districts. — Vice admiralty, the office of a vice admiral. — Vice-admiralty court, a court with admiralty jurisdiction, established by authority of Parliament in British possessions beyond the seas. Abbott. — Vice chamberlain, an officer in court next in rank to the lord chamberlain. [Eng.] — Vice chancellor. (a) (Law) An officer next in rank to a chancellor. (b) An officer in a university, chosen to perform certain duties, as the conferring of degrees, in the absence of the chancellor. (c) (R. C. Ch.) The cardinal at the head of the Roman Chancery. — Vice consul Etym: [cf. F. vice-consul], a subordinate officer, authorized to exercise consular functions in some particular part of a district controlled by a consul. — Vice king, one who acts in the place of a king; a viceroy. — Vice legate Etym: [cf. F. vice-légat], a legate second in rank to, or acting in place of, another legate. — Vice presidency, the office of vice president. — Vice president Etym: [cf. F. vice-président], an officer next in rank below a president.
VICEDViced, a.
Defn: Vicious; corrupt. [Obs.] Shak.
VICEGERENCYVice*ge"ren*cy, n.
Defn: The office of a vicegerent. South.
VICEGERENTVice*ge"rent, a. Etym: [Vice, a + gerent: cf. F. vicegérant.]
Defn: Having or exercising delegated power; acting by substitution, or in the place of another. Milton.
VICEGERENTVice*ge"rent, a. Etym: [Vice, a. + gerent: cf. F. vicegérant.]
Defn: Having or exercising delegated power; acting by substitution, or in the place of another. Milton.
VICEGERENTVice*ge"rent, n.
Defn: An officer who is deputed by a superior, or by properauthority, to exercise the powers of another; a lieutenant; a vicar.Bacon.The symbol and vicegerent of the Deity. C. A. Young.
VICEMANVice"man, n.; pl. Vicemen (.
Defn: A smith who works at the vice instead of at the anvil.
VICENARY Vic"e*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. vicenarius, fr. viceni twenty each; akin to viginti twenty.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to twenty; consisting of twenty.
VICENNIAL Vi*cen"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. vicennium a period of twenty years; viceni twenty + annus year.]
1. Lasting or comprising twenty years.
2. Happening once in twenty years; as, a vicennial celebration.
VICE-REGALVice`-re"gal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a viceroy or viceroyalty. Macaulay.
VICEROY Vice"roy, n. Etym: [F. vice-roi; pref. vice- in the place of (L. vice) + roi a king, L. rex. See Vice, prep. and Royal.]
1. The governor of a country or province who rules in the name of the sovereign with regal authority, as the king's substitute; as, the viceroy of India.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large and handsome American butterfly (Basilarchia, orLimenitis, archippus). Its wings are orange-red, with black linesalong the nervures and a row of white spots along the outer margins.The larvæ feed on willow, poplar, and apple trees.
VICEROYALTYVice*roy"al*ty, n.
Defn: The dignity, office, or jurisdiction of a viceroy.
VICEROYSHIPVice"roy*ship, n.
Defn: Viceroyalty.
VICETYVi"ce*ty, n. Etym: [From Vice a fault.]
Defn: Fault; defect; coarseness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
VICHY WATERVi"chy wa`ter.
Defn: A mineral water found at Vichy, France. It is essentially an effervescent solution of sodium, calcium, and magnetism carbonates, with sodium and potassium chlorides; also, by extension, any artificial or natural water resembling in composition the Vichy water proper. Called also, colloquially, Vichy.
VICIATEVi"ci*ate, v. t.
Defn: See Vitiate. [R.]
VICINAGEVi"ci*nage (; 48), n. Etym: [OF. veisinage, F. voisinage, from OF.veisin, F. voisin, neighboring, a neighbor, L. vicunus. SeeVicinity.]
Defn: The place or places adjoining or near; neighborhood; vicinity; as, a jury must be of the vicinage. "To summon the Protestant gentleman of the vicinage." Macaulay. Civil war had broken up all the usual ties of vicinage and good neighborhood. Sir W. Scott.
VICINALVic"i*nal, a. Etym: [L. vicinalis: cf. F. vicinal.]
Defn: Near; vicine. T. Warton. Vicinal planes (Min.), subordinate planes on a crystal, which are very near to the fundamental planes in angles, and sometimes take their place. They have in general very complex symbols.
VICINEVic"ine, a. Etym: [L. vicinus: cf. F. voisin.]
Defn: Near; neighboring; vicinal. [R.] Glanvill.
VICINEVic"ine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid ex tracted from the seeds of the vetch (Vicia sativa) as a white crystalline substance.
VICINITY Vi*cin"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. vicinitas, from vicinus neighboring, near, from vicus a row of houses, a village; akin to Gr. v a house, vi to enter, Goth. weihs town: cf. OF. vicinité. Cf. Diocese, Economy, Parish, Vicinage, Wick a village.]
1. The quality or state of being near, or not remote; nearness; propinquity; proximity; as, the value of the estate was increased by the vicinity of two country seats. A vicinity of disposition and relative tempers. Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is near, or not remote; that which is adjacent to anything; adjoining space or country; neighborhood. "The vicinity of the sun." Bentley.
Syn.— Neighborhood; vicinage. See Neighborhood.
VICIOSITYVi`ci*os"i*ty, n.
Defn: Vitiosity. [R.]
VICIOUS Vi"cious, a. Etym: [OF. vicious, F. vicieux, fr. L. vitiosus, fr. vitium vice. See Vice a fault.]
1. Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.Though I perchance am vicious in my guess. Shak.The title of these lords was vicious in its origin. Burke.A charge against Bentley of vicious reasoning. De Quincey.
2. Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct. Who . . . heard this heavy curse, Servant of servants, on his vicious race. Milton.
3. Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc. Dryden.
4. Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.
5. Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.
6. Bitter; spiteful; malignant. [Colloq.]
Syn.— Corrupt; faulty; wicked; depraved.— Vi"cious*ly, adv.— Vi"cious*ness, n.
VICISSITUDEVi*cis"si*tude, n. Etym: [L. vicissitudo, fr. vicis change, turn: cf.F. vicissitude. See Vicarious.]
1. Regular change or succession from one thing to another; alternation; mutual succession; interchange. God made two great lights . . . To illuminate the earth and rule the day In their vicissitude, and rule the night. Milton.
2. Irregular change; revolution; mutation. This man had, after many vicissitudes of fortune, sunk at last into abject and hopeless poverty. Macaulay.
VICISSITUDINARYVi*cis`si*tu"di*na*ry, a.
Defn: Subject to vicissitudes. Donne.
VICISSITUDINOUSVi*cis`si*tu"di*nous, a.
Defn: Full of, or subject to, changes.
VICISSY DUCKVi*cis"sy duck`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A West Indian duck, sometimes domesticated.
VICKERS' GUNVick"ers' gun. (Ordnance)
Defn: One of a system of guns manufactured by the firm of Vickers'Sons, at Sheffield, Eng. now included in Vickers-Maxim guns.
VICKERS-MAXIM AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUNVick"ers-Max"im automatic machine gun.
Defn: An automatic machine gun in which the mechanism is worked by the recoil, assisted by the pressure of gases from the muzzle, which expand in a gas chamber against a disk attached to the end of the barrel, thus moving the latter to the rear with increased recoil, and against the front wall of the gas chamber, checking the recoil of the system.
VICKERS-MAXIM GUNVickers-Maxim gun. (Ordnance)
Defn: One of a system of ordnance, including machine, quick-fire, coast, and field guns, of all calibers, manufactured by the combined firms of Vickers' Sons of Sheffield and Maxim of Birmingham and elsewhere, England.
VICONTIELVi*con"ti*el, a. Etym: [From OE. vicounte a viscount. See Viscount.](O. Eng. Law)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the viscount or sheriff of a country.Vicontiel rents. See Vicontiels.— Vicontiel writs, such writs as were triable in the sheriff, orcounty, court.
VICONTIELSVi*con"ti*els, n. pl. Etym: [See Vicontiel.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: Things belonging to the sheriff; especially, farms (called also vicontiel rents) for which the sheriff used to pay rent to the king.
VICOUNTVi"count, n.
Defn: See Viscount.
VICTIMVic"tim, n. Etym: [L. victima: cf. F. victime.]
1. A living being sacrificed to some deity, or in the performance of a religious rite; a creature immolated, or made an offering of. Led like a victim, to my death I'll go. Dryden.
2. A person or thing destroyed or sacrificed in the pursuit of an object, or in gratification of a passion; as, a victim to jealousy, lust, or ambition.