Vestal

Vestal
Vestal Ves"tal, n. [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale. See {Vestal}, a.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun. [1913 Webster]

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! --Pope. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Vestal — can refer to: * Pertaining to Vesta (mythology), a Roman goddess, the Sacred fire of Vesta, or the Temple of Vesta * Vestal Virgin * Vestal, New York * Vestal Senior High School, school in Vestal, New York * USS Vestal (AR 4), ship * Vestal… …   Wikipedia

  • Vestal — ist der Name von: Vestal (New York), Stadt in den Vereinigten Staaten Albert Henry Vestal (1875–1932), US amerikanischer Politiker USS Vestal (AR 4), Collier Schiff der United States Navy im Zweiten Weltkrieg Siehe auch: Vestalin …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • vestal — [ves′təl] adj. 1. of or sacred to Vesta 2. of the vestal virgins 3. chaste; pure n. 1. short for VESTAL VIRGIN 2. a chaste woman; specif., a virgin …   English World dictionary

  • Vestal — Ves tal, a. [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal. See {Vesta}.] Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vestal — (adj.) chaste, pure, virgin, 1590s, originally (early 15c.) belonging to or dedicated to Vesta, Roman goddess of hearth and home. The noun is recorded from 1570s, short for Vestal virgin, one of four (later six) priestesses (L. virgines Vestales) …   Etymology dictionary

  • vestal — s. f. 1.  [Antigo] Sacerdotisa de Vesta. 2.  [Figurado] Mulher de grande beleza e de castidade exemplar; virgem; donzela …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • vestal — (Del lat. vestālis). 1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo a la diosa Vesta. 2. Se dice de las doncellas romanas consagradas a la diosa Vesta. U. m. c. s.) …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Vestal — Relieve de una Vestal (117 138 d. C. Del Palatino. En la antigua Roma, una sacerdotisa consagrada a la diosa del hogar Vesta, recibía el nombre de Vestal. Eran sacerdotisas públicas y, en tanto que tales, constituían una excepción en el …   Wikipedia Español

  • Vestal — ► adjetivo 1 MITOLOGÍA De la diosa Vesta. ► adjetivo/ sustantivo femenino 2 MITOLOGÍA Se refiere a la doncella romana que estaba consagrada a la diosa Vesta. 3 Mujer de gran belleza. * * * vestal 1 adj. De Vesta, diosa romana del hogar, del fuego …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • vestal — I. adjective Date: 15th century 1. of or relating to the Roman goddess Vesta 2. a. of or relating to a vestal virgin b. chaste II. noun Date: 15th century vestal virgin …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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