Chapter XXXII: Front Matter (32)

VEGETABLE, vej'e-ta-bl, _n._ an organised body without sensation and voluntary motion, nourished by roots fixed in the ground: a plant for the table.--_adj._ belonging to plants: consisting of or having the nature of plants: derived from vegetables.--_adj._ VEG'ETAL, of the nature of a vegetable: pertaining to the vital functions of plants and animals, as growth, reproduction, &c.--_ns._ VEG'ETALINE, a substitute for ivory, &c., made by treating woody fibre with sulphuric acid, mixing with various ingredients, and pressing into any required form; VEGETAL'ITY, vegetable character, the vegetal functions collectively.--_adj._ VEGET[=A]'RIAN, pertaining to those who abstain from animal food: consisting of vegetables.--_n._ one who holds that vegetables are the only proper food for man.--_n._ VEGET[=A]'RIANISM, the theory and practice of a vegetarian.--_v.i._ VEG'ET[=A]TE, to grow by roots and leaves: to sprout: to lead an idle, aimless life.--_n._ VEGET[=A]'TION, process of growing, as a plant: vegetable growth: plants in general.--_adj._ VEG'ET[=A]TIVE, growing, as plants: producing growth in plants: pertaining to unconscious or involuntary bodily functions as resembling the processes of vegetable growth: without intellectual activity, unprogressive.--_adv._ VEG'ET[=A]TIVELY.--_n._ VEG'ET[=A]TIVENESS.--_adj._ VEGETE (vej'[=e]t), vigorous.--_n._ VEG'ETIVE (_Shak._), a vegetable.--VEGETABLE KINGDOM, that division of natural objects which embraces vegetables or plants; VEGETABLE MARROW, the fruit of a species of gourd, so called from its marrow-like appearance; VEGETABLE MOULD, mould consisting mostly of humus; VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY, that department of botany which treats of the growth and functions of plants. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _vegetabilis_, animating--L. _veget[=a]re_, to quicken--_veg[=e]re_, to be lively; akin to _vig[=e]re_, to be vigorous. Cf. _Vigour_.]

VEHEMENT, v[=e]'he-ment, _adj._ passionate: furious: very eager or urgent.--_ns._ V[=E]'HEMENCE, V[=E]'HEMENCY, the quality of being vehement: violence: great ardour or fervour.--_adv._ V[=E]'HEMENTLY. [O. Fr.,--L. _vehemens_, from _ve_, out of, _mens_, mind; acc. to Vanicek, from _veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

VEHICLE, v[=e]'hi-kl, _n._ any kind of carriage or conveyance: that which is used to convey: (_med._) a substance in which a medicine is taken: (_paint._) a liquid used to render colours, varnishes, &c. fit for use.--_adjs._ VEHIC'[=U]LAR, -Y, pertaining to or serving as a vehicle.--_v.t._ VEHIC'[=U]LATE (_rare_), to ride in a vehicle.--_n._ VEHIC[=U]L[=A]'TION.--_adj._ VEHIC'[=U]L[=A]T[=O]RY. [L. _vehiculum_--_veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

VEHMGERICHT, f[=a]m'ge-richt, _n._ one of the dread medieval German tribunals, empowered by the emperors to try cases in which the penalty was death and to execute the punishment on the guilty--also FEM'GERICHTE, or simply VEHME, FEHME:--_pl._ VEHMGERICHTE (f[=a]m'ge-rich-te).--_adj._ VEHM'IC. [Ger.,--fehme, _fehm_, a criminal tribunal, _gericht_, judgment.]

VEIL, v[=a]l, _n._ a curtain: anything that hides an object: a piece of muslin or thin cloth worn by ladies to shade or hide the face: a cover: a disguise: an obscuration of the clearness of the tones in pronunciation: in fungi, the partial covering of the stem or margin of the cap--applied also to the indusium of ferns.--_v.t._ to cover with a veil: to cover: to conceal.--_n._ VEIL'ING, the act of concealing with a veil: a veil: material for making veils.--_adjs._ VEIL'LESS, wanting a veil: uncovered; V[=E]'LAR (_philol._), denoting sounds (_gw_, _kw_, &c.) produced by the veil of the palate or soft palate; V[=E]'LARY, pertaining to a sail.--_n._ V[=E]L[=A]'TION, a veiling: concealment, mystery.--EUCHARISTIC or SACRAMENTAL VEILS, the linen or silk cloths used to cover the eucharistic vessels and the elements during the celebration of Mass or Holy Communion.--TAKE THE VEIL, to become a nun. [O. Fr. _veile_ (Fr. _voile_)--L. _velum_, a curtain--_veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

VEILLEUSE, v[=a]-ly[.e]z', _n._ a shaded night-lamp.

VEIN, v[=a]n, _n._ one of the vessels or tubes which convey the blood back to the heart: one of the horny tubes forming the framework of an insect's wings: (_bot._) one of the small branching ribs in a leaf: a seam of a different mineral through a rock: a fissure or cavity: a streak in wood or stone: a train of thought: a course: tendency or turn of mind: mood or humour.--_v.t._ to form veins or the appearance of veins in.--_n._ VEIN'AGE, veins collectively.--_adj._ VEINED, full of veins: streaked, variegated: (_bot._) having vessels branching over the surface, as a leaf.--_n._ VEIN'ING, formation or disposition of veins: streaking.--_adj._ VEIN'LESS, having no veins.--_n._ VEIN'LET (_bot._), a little vein or vessel branching out from a larger one.--_adjs._ VEIN'OUS, VEIN'Y, full of veins.--_ns._ VEIN'STONE, the earthy part of a lode; VEIN'[=U]LE, a very small vein. [Fr. _veine_--L. _vena_, perh. from _veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

VELAMENTUM, vel-a-men'tum, _n._ a membrane or membraneous envelope--also VEL[=A]'MEN.--_adj._ VELAMEN'TOUS, veil-like.

VELARIUM, v[=e]-l[=a]'ri-um, _n._ an awning which could be drawn over the Roman amphitheatre: the marginal membrane of certain hydrozoans:--_pl._ VEL[=A]'RIA.

VELATURA, vel-a-t[=oo]'ra, _n._ a method of glazing a painting by rubbing on colour with the hand. [It.]

VELDT, velt, _n._ in South Africa, the name given to unforested or thinly-forested grass country.--Also VELD. [Dut. _veld_, field.]

VELE, v[=e]l, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as VEIL.

VELIA, v[=e]'li-a, _n._ a genus of semi-aquatic water-bugs.

VELITATION, vel-i-t[=a]'shun, _n._ a slight skirmish.

VELITE, v[=e]'l[=i]t, _n._ a light-armed Roman soldier. [L. _veles_, _velitis_.]

VELL, vel, _v.t._ (_prov._) to cut the turf from.

VELL, vel, _n._ (_prov._) rennet.

VELLEITY, ve-l[=e]'i-ti, _n._ (rare) volition in its lowest form: mere inclination. [Low L. _velleitas_, irregularly formed from L. _velle_, to wish.]

VELLENAGE, vel'en-[=a]j, _n._ (_Spens._) slavery--the same as VILLEINAGE. [_Villain_.]

VELLET, vel'et, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as VELVET.

VELLICATE, vel'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to twitch.--_n._ VELLIC[=A]'TION.--_adj._ VELL'IC[=A]TIVE. [L. _vellic[=a]re_,-_[=a]tum_, to pluck.]

VELLON, ve-ly[=o]n', _n._ a Spanish money of account.

VELLOPED, vel'opt, _adj._ (_her._) having pendant wattles. [Prob. _jelloped_ for _dewlapped_.]

VELLOZIA, ve-l[=o]'zi-a, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order _Hæmodoraceæ_, found in Brazil, Madagascar, &c. [_Vellozo_, Brazilian botanist.]

VELLUM, vel'um, _n._ a finer kind of parchment prepared by lime-baths and burnishing from the skins of calves, kids, or lambs. [O. Fr. _velin_--Low L. (_charta_, paper), _vitulina_, of a calf--L. _vitulus_.]

VELOCE, ve-l[=o]'che, _adv._ (_mus._) with great rapidity.

VELOCIPEDE, v[=e]-los'i-p[=e]d, _n._ a light vehicle originally moved by striking the toes on the road, now with a treadle--its developments are the bicycle and tricycle.--_ns._ VELOC'IMAN, a velocipede driven by hand; VELOCIP[=E]'DEAN, VELOC'IP[=E]DIST, one who rides on a velocipede. [Fr.,--L. _velox_, _velocis_, swift, _pes_, _pedis_, foot.]

VELOCITY, v[=e]-los'i-ti, _n._ swiftness: speed: rate of change of position of a point per unit of time.--_n._ VELOCIM'ETER, an apparatus for measuring velocity.--INITIAL VELOCITY, the rate of movement of a body at starting, esp. of a projectile. [L. _velocitas_--_velox_, swift.]

VELUM, v[=e]'lum, _n._ a velarium: the ciliated disc-like fold of the integument with which some embryo molluscs are provided:--_pl._ V[=E]'LA.--_adj._ V[=E]'L[=A]TE, having a velum.--_n._ V[=E]L[=A]'TION, formation of a velum.--_adjs._ V[=E]LIF'EROUS, V[=E]LIG'EROUS, having a velum.

VELURE, vel'[=u]r, _n._ velvet: a silk or plush pad for smoothing or giving lustre to silk hats--also VELOURS (ve-loor').--_v.t._ to dress with a velure.--_n._ VELOUTINE', a corded fabric of merino and fancy wool.--_adj._ VEL[=U]'TINOUS, velvety. [O. Fr. _velours_, _velous_ (Fr. _velours_)--Low L. _villosus_, velvet--L. _villosus_, shaggy.]

VELVET, vel'vet, _n._ a cloth made from silk, with a close shaggy pile: a similar cloth made of cotton: the velvet-like covering of a growing antler: (_slang_) money gained by gambling.--_adj._ made of velvet: soft like velvet.--_ns._ VEL'VERET, a poor quality of velvet, the web of cotton, the pile of silk; VELVETEEN', a fustian made of twilled cotton with a pile of the same material: a kind of velvet made of silk and cotton mixed throughout; VEL'VET-FLOWER, the love-lies-bleeding.--_n.pl._ VEL'VET-GUARDS (_Shak._), velvet trimmings, applied metaphorically to the citizens who wore them.--_ns._ VEL'VETING, the nap of velvet: (_pl._) velvet goods collectively; VEL'VET-LEAF, the Indian mallow; VEL'VET-P[=A]'PER, flock paper; VEL'VET-PILE, any material with a long, soft nap; VEL'VET-SC[=O]'TER, a kind of black duck with large white spot on the wings; VEL'VET-WORK, embroidery on velvet.--_adj._ VEL'VETY, made of or like velvet: soft: soft in taste or touch.--STAND ON VELVET, to place one's bets in such a way as not to loose in any event. [From Low L. _velluetum_--Low L. _villutus_--L. _villus_, shaggy hair.]

VENA, v[=e]'na, _n._ a vein.--VENA CAVA, the largest vein in the body, entering the right auricle of the heart.

VENAL, v[=e]'nal, _adj._ that may be sold or got for a price: held for sale: mercenary.--_n._ VENAL'ITY, quality of being venal: prostitution of talents or services for a reward.--_adv._ V[=E]'NALLY. [Fr.,--L. _venalis_--_venus_, sale; Gr. _[=o]n[=e]_, purchase.]

VENAL, v[=e]'nal, _adj._ pertaining to a vein or veins: contained in the veins. [L. _vena_, a vein.]

VENATIC, -AL, v[=e]-nat'ik, -al, _adj._ pertaining to hunting.--_adv._ VENAT'ICALLY.--_adj._ VENAT[=O]'RIAL. [_Venery_.]

VENATION, ve-n[=a]'shun, _n._ the way in which the leaves of plants are arranged: in insects, the distribution of the veins of the wings. [_Vein_.]

VEND, vend, _v.t._ to give for sale, to sell: to give for money: to make an object of trade.--_ns._ VENDEE', the person to whom a thing is sold; VEN'DER, -DOR, one who sells; VENDIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ VEND'IBLE, that may be sold: that may be disposed of as an object of trade.--_n._ something salable.--_n._ VEN'DIBLENESS.--_adv._ VEN'DIBLY.--_n._ VENDUE' (_rare_), a public auction. [Fr. _vendre_--L. _vend[)e]re_--_venus_, sale, _d[)a]re_, to give.]

VENDACE, ven'd[=a]s, _n._ a variety of the whitefish, found in Great Britain only in the Castle Loch at Lochmaben. [O. Fr. _vendese_, _vandoise_ (Fr. _vandoise_); orig. unknown.]

VENDÉMIAIRE, vong-d[=a]-mi-[=a]r', _n._ the first month in the French Revolutionary Calendar, from 22d September to 21st October. ['The vintage-month,' Fr.,--L. _vindemia_, vintage--_vinum_, wine, _dem[)e]re_, to take off--_de_, off, _em[)e]re_, to take.]

VENDETTA, ven-det'ta, _n._ the practice--not yet entirely extinct in Calabria and Corsica--of individuals taking private vengeance on those who have shed the blood of their relatives. [It.,--L. _vindicta_, revenge--_vindic[=a]re_, to claim.]

VENEER, ve-n[=e]r', _v.t._ to overlay or face with another and superior wood: to cover with a thin coating of any substance other than wood: to disguise with artificial attractiveness.--_n._ a thin coating, as of wood: false show or charm.--_ns._ VENEER'-CUT'TER, a machine for cutting veneers from the block of wood; VENEER'ING, the act or art of overlaying an inferior wood with thin leaves of a more valuable kind: the thin leaf thus laid on. [Formerly _fineer_; corr. from Ger. _furniren_--O. Fr. _fornir_ (Fr. _fournir_), It. _fornire_, to furnish.]

VENEFICAL, v[=e]-nef'i-kal, _adj._ poisonous, using sorcery--also VENEFI'CIAL, VENEFI'CIOUS.--_v.t._ VEN'EN[=A]TE, to poison.--_adj._ poisoned.--_n._ VENEN[=A]'TION.--_adjs._ VENENIF'LUOUS; VEN'ENOUS. [L. _veneficium_, a poisoning--_venenum_, poison, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

VENERABLE, ven'e-ra-bl, _adj._ that may be venerated: worthy of veneration, reverence, or honour: rendered sacred by religious or other associations: aged.--_n._ VEN'ERABLENESS.--_adv._ VEN'ERABLY. [L. _venerabilis_--_vener[=a]ri_, to venerate.]

VENERATE, ven'e-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to honour or reverence with religious awe: to reverence: to regard with the greatest respect.--_adjs._ VEN'ERANT (_rare_), VEN'ER[=A]TIVE, reverent.--_ns._ VENER[=A]'TION, the act of venerating: the state of being venerated: the highest degree of respect and reverence: respect mingled with reverence and awe: awe; VEN'ER[=A]TOR, one who venerates. [L. _vener[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_.]

VENEREAL, v[=e]-n[=e]'r[=e]-al, _adj._ pertaining to or arising from sexual intercourse: exciting desire for sexual intercourse: curing venereal diseases.--_adj._ VEN[=E]'REOUS, lascivious: stimulating sexual desire, aphrodisiac.--_n._ VEN'ERY, sexual intercourse. [L. _venereus_--_Venus_, _Ven[)e]ris_, the goddess of love; conn. with L. _vener[=a]ri_.]

VENERY, ven'[.e]r-i, _n._ the act or exercise of hunting: the sports of the chase.--_ns._ VEN'ERER, a gamekeeper, hunter; VENEUR (ve-n[.e]r'), a person having an oversight of the chase. [O. Fr. _venerie_--_vener_--L. _ven[=a]ri_, to hunt.]

VENESECTION, v[=e]-n[=e]-sek'shun, _n._ the section or cutting open of a vein for letting blood: blood-letting. [L. _vena_, a vein, _sectio_, cutting.]

VENETIAN, v[=e]-n[=e]'shan, _adj._ of or belonging to _Venice_.--_n._ a native or inhabitant of Venice: a strong tape for Venetian-blinds: a domino.--_n._ VEN[=E]'TIAN-BLIND, a blind for windows formed of thin slips of wood, so hung as to admit of being set either edgewise or overlapping.--_adj._ VEN[=E]'TIANED, furnished with Venetian-blinds.--_ns._ VEN[=E]'TIAN-GLASS, a delicate and beautiful glass made by the craftsmen of Venice into mirrors, cups, goblets, &c., its forms reflecting its Oriental origin, famous since the middle ages; VEN[=E]'TIAN-STYLE, the type of the Renaissance architecture developed in VENICE, highly decorative and original.

VENEW, ven'[=u], VENEY, ven'i, _n._ (_Shak._) a bout at fencing, a thrust, a hit. [_Venue_.]

VENGE, venj, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to avenge, to punish.--_adj._ VENGE'ABLE (_Spens._), revengeful: deserving to be revenged.--_n._ VENGE'ANCE, the infliction of punishment upon another in return for an injury or offence: retribution: (_Shak._) harm, mischief.--_adv._ (_Shak._) extremely, exceedingly.--_adj._ VENGE'FUL, vindictive, retributive: revengeful.--_adv._ VENGE'FULLY.--_ns._ VENGE'FULNESS; VENGE'MENT (_Spens._), vengeance, penal retribution; VEN'GER (_Spens._), an avenger.--WITH A VENGEANCE (_coll._), violently: exceedingly. [O. Fr. _venger_--L. _vindic[=a]re_.]

VENIAL, v[=e]'ni-al, _adj._ pardonable: excusable: allowed.--_adv._ V[=E]'NIALLY.--_ns._ V[=E]'NIALNESS, VENIAL'ITY.--VENIAL SIN (see MORTAL). [Fr.,--L. _venialis_, pardonable--_venia_, pardon.]

VENI CREATOR, v[=e]'n[=i] kr[=e]-[=a]'tor, _n._--more fully, 'Veni Creator Spiritus'--a hymn of the Roman Breviary, used at Whitsuntide, ordinations, &c.--not to be confounded with the _Veni Sancte Spiritus, Et emitte coelitus_, the 'Golden Sequence.'

VENISON, ven'i-zn, or ven'zn, _n._ the flesh of animals taken in hunting, esp. the deer. [Fr. _venaison_--L. _venatio_, a hunting, game--_ven[=a]ri_, to hunt.]

VENITE, v[=e]-n[=i]'t[=e], _n._ in liturgics, the 95th Psalm. [From its opening words, 'Venite exultemus.']

VENNEL, ven'el, _n._ (_Scot._) an alley, a narrow street. [Fr. _venelle_, a small street.]

VENOM, ven'um, _n._ any drink, juice, or liquid injurious or fatal to life: poison: spite: malice.--_adj._ (_Shak._) venomous, poisonous.--_v.t._ to infect with poison.--_n._ VEN'OM-DUCT, in a poisonous animal, the duct conveying venom from the sac or gland where it is secreted to the tooth or _venom-fang_ whence it is discharged.--_adjs._ VEN'OM-MOUTHED, having a venomous mouth: (_Shak._) slanderous; VEN'OMOUS, poisonous: spiteful: mischievous.--_adv._ VEN'OMOUSLY.--_n._ VEN'OMOUSNESS. [Fr. _venin_ (It. _veneno_)--L. _venenum_.]

VENOSE, v[=e]'n[=o]s, _adj._ (_bot._) having well-marked veins, veined.--_n._ V[=E]NOS'ITY, the state or quality of being venous: (_med._) a condition of the blood in which the venous blood is unnaturally abundant.--_adj._ V[=E]'NOUS, pertaining to or contained in veins: veined.--_adv._ V[=E]'NOUSLY. [_Vein._]

VENT, vent, _n._ a small opening to let air, &c., escape: the flue of a chimney: the opening in the top of a barrel allowing air to pass in as the liquid is drawn out: a gimlet used to extract a little liquid from a barrel for sampling purposes: discharge: escape: passage into notice: publication, utterance, voice: the anus of birds and fishes: (_mil._) the opening at the breech of a firearm through which fire is conveyed to the charge, the touch-hole.--_v.t._ to give a vent or opening to: to let out, as at a vent: to allow to escape: to publish: to pour forth.--_ns._ VENT'[=A]GE (_Shak._), a vent, a small hole; VEN'TAIL (_Spens._), same as AVENTAIL; VENT'-BUSH'ING, -PIECE, a copper cylinder inserted through the walls of a cannon over the seat of the charge and preventing the escaping gases from injuring the metal near the vent; VENT'ER, one who vents or publishes.--_adj._ VENTIC'[=U]LAR.--_ns._ VENT'-PEG, -PLUG, a plug for stopping the vent of a barrel; VENT'-PIPE, an escape-pipe.--GIVE VENT TO, to allow to escape or break out. [Altered form of _fent_, M. E. _fente_--O. Fr. _fente_, a slit.]

VENT, vent, _n._ scent: (_hunting_) the act of taking breath.--_v.i._ to sniff, snort: to take breath: (_Scot._) of a chimney, to draw.--VENT UP (_Spens._), to lift so as to give air. [O. Fr.,--L. _ventus_, wind.]

VENT, vent, _n._ the act of selling, sale: market. [O. Fr. _vente_--Low L. _vendita_, a sale--L. _vend[)e]re_, _-d[)i]tum_, to sell.]

VENTANNA, ven-tan'a, _n._ a window. [Sp.]

VENTER, ven't[.e]r, _n._ the belly, abdomen. [L.]

VENTILATE, ven'ti-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to fan with wind: to open to the free passage of air: to cause fresh air to pass through: to expose to examination and discussion: to make public.--_adj._ VEN'TILABLE.--_ns._ VENTIL[=A]'BRUM, flabellum; VENTIL[=A]'TION, act or art of ventilating: state of being ventilated: free exposure to air: supply of air: act of examining and making public: public exposure.--_adj._ VEN'TIL[=A]TIVE.--_n._ VEN'TIL[=A]TOR, that which ventilates: a contrivance for introducing fresh air. [L. _ventil[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ventulus_, dim. of _ventus_, the wind.]

VENTOSE, ven't[=o]s, _adj._ windy.--_n._ the sixth month of the French Revolutionary Calendar, 19th February to 20th March.--_n._ VENTOS'ITY, windiness: empty pride. [L. _ventosus_--_ventus_, wind.]

VENTRAL, ven'tral, _adj._ belonging to the belly: (_bot._) denoting the anterior or inferior surface: in the body, situated opposite the dorsal or back aspect.--_n._ in fishes, one of the posterior fins.--_advs._ VEN'TRAD (_zool._, _anat._), to or toward the belly, or ventral surface or aspect of the body; VEN'TRALLY.--_adj._ VEN'TRIC.--_n._ VEN'TRICLE, a small cavity within an animal body, as in the heart or brain: (_Shak._) the womb.--_adjs._ VEN'TRIC[=O]SE, VEN'TRICOUS, swelling out in the middle: bellied; VENTRIC'[=U]LAR. [L. _ventralis_--_venter_, the belly.]

VENTRICULITE, ven-trik'[=u]-l[=i]t, _n._ one of a genus of fossil sponges found in the cretaceous system, and often giving their shape to flint nodules.

VENTRILOQUISM, ven-tril'[=o]-kwizm, _n._ the act or art of producing tones and words without any motion of the mouth, so that the hearer is induced to refer the sound to some other place--also VENTRILOC[=U]'TION, VENTRIL'OQUY.--_adv._ VENTRIL[=O]'QUIALLY.--_v.i._ VENTRIL'OQUISE, to practise ventriloquism.--_n._ VENTRIL'OQUIST, one who practises ventriloquism.--_adjs._ VENTRILOQUIS'TIC, VENTRIL[=O]'QUIAL, VENTRIL'OQUOUS. [L. _ventriloquus_, speaking from the belly--_venter_, the belly, _loqui_, to speak.]

VENTRIPOTENT, ven-trip'[=o]-tent, _adj._ (_rare_) of great gastronomic capacity. [L. _venter_, belly, _potens_--_posse_, to have power.]

VENTROSITY, ven-tros'i-ti, _n._ the state of having a pot-belly.

VENTURE, ven't[=u]r, _n._ chance, luck, hazard: that which is put to hazard (esp. goods sent by sea at the sender's risk): an undertaking whose issue is uncertain or dangerous.--_v.t._ to send on a venture: to expose to hazard: to risk.--_v.i._ to make a venture: to run a risk: to dare.--_n._ VEN'T[=U]RER.--_adjs._ VEN'T[=U]ROUS, VEN'T[=U]RESOME.--_advs._ VEN'T[=U]ROUSLY, VEN'T[=U]RESOMELY.--_ns._ VEN'T[=U]ROUSNESS, VEN'T[=U]RESOMENESS.--VENTURE ON, UPON, to dare to engage in.--AT A VENTURE, at hazard, random. [Short for _adventure_.]

VENUE, ven'[=u], _n._ (_Shak._) a hit in fencing: a bout or match: a lunge, thrust. [O. Fr.,--L. _ven[=i]re_, to come.]

VENUE, ven'[=u], _n._ (_law_) the place where an action is laid: the district from which a jury comes to try a question of fact: in England, usually the county where a crime is alleged to have been committed.--CHANGE OF VENUE, change of place of trial; LAY THE VENUE, to specify the place where the trial is to be held. [A particular use of preceding word, but confused with O. Fr. _visne_, neighbourhood--L. _vicinia_, neighbourhood.]

VENUS, v[=e]'nus, _n._ (_Roman myth._) the goddess of love, originally of spring, patron of flower-gardens, but identified with the Greek Aphrodite: beauty and love deified: sexual commerce, venery: the most brilliant of the planets, second in order from the sun.--VENUS'S FLOWER-BASKET, a beautiful glass sponge; VENUS'S FLY-TRAP (see DIONÆA); VENUS'S GIRDLE, a tæniate ctenophoran.--MOUNT OF VENUS (_palm._), the elevation at the base of the thumb. [L., orig. personified from _venus_, desire; akin to _vener[=a]ri_, to worship.]

VERACIOUS, ve-r[=a]'shus, _adj._ truthful: true.--_adv._ VER[=A]'CIOUSLY.--_n._ VERAC'ITY, the quality of being veracious: habitual truthfulness: truth. [L. _verax_, _veracis_--_verus_, true.]

VERANDA, VERANDAH, ve-ran'da, _n._ a kind of covered balcony or open portico, with a roof sloping beyond the main building, supported by light pillars. [Hind. _varand[=a]_, perh. from Pers. _bar[=a]madah_, a porch--_bar_, up, _[=a]madan_, to come; by others derived from Old Port, _varanda_, a balcony--_vara_, a rod--L. _vara_, a rod.]

VERATRUM, v[=e]-r[=a]'trum, _n._ hellebore.--_adj._ VER[=A]'TRIC.--_ns._ VER[=A]'TRIN, -E, a poisonous ointment used to relieve neuralgia.--_v.t._ VER[=A]'TRISE, to poison with veratrin. [L.]

VERB, verb, _n._ (_gram._) the part of speech which asserts or predicates something.--_adj._ VER'BAL, relating to or consisting in words: spoken (as opposed to _written_): exact in words: attending to words only: literal, word for word: derived directly from a verb.--_n._ a part of speech, a noun derived from a verb.--_n._ VERBALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ VER'BALISE, to turn into a verb.--_ns._ VER'BALISM, something expressed in words or orally; VER'BALIST, one skilled in words: a literalist; VERBAL'ITY.--_adv._ VER'BALLY.--_ns._ VERB[=A]'RIAN, a coiner of words; VERB[=A]'RIUM, a game played with the letters of the alphabet.--_adv._ VERB[=A]'TIM, word for word: (_Shak._) orally, verbally.--_ns._ VER'BI[=A]GE, abundance of words: wordiness: verbosity; VER'BICIDE, the perversion of a word, as if the killing of its natural meaning: one who so mangles words, a punster; VER'BICULTURE, the deliberate cultivation or production of words; VERBIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of verbifying.--_v.t._ VER'BIFY, to verbalise.--_ns._ VERBIGER[=A]'TION, the morbid and purposeless repetition of certain words and phrases at short intervals; VER'BO-M[=A]'NIAC, one crazy about words and their study, a dictionary-maker.--_adj._ VERB[=O]SE', containing more words than are necessary: wordy: diffuse.--_adv._ VERB[=O]SE'LY.--_ns._ VERB[=O]SE'NESS, VERBOS'ITY.--VERBAL DEFINITION, a definition intended to state the meaning of a word, apart from the essence of the thing signified; VERBAL INSPIRATION, that view which regards Holy Scripture as _literally_ inspired; VERBAL NOTE, in diplomacy, an unsigned memorandum calling attention to a neglected, though perhaps not urgent, matter. [Fr. _verbe_--L. _verbum_.]

VERBENA, ver-b[=e]'na, _n._ a genus of plants of natural order _Verbenaceæ_, cultivated for their fragrance or beauty: vervain.--_adj._ VERBEN[=A]'CEOUS. [L. _verbenæ_, leaves, twigs, &c.]

VERBERATE, ver'b[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to strike.--_n._ VERBER[=A]'TION. [L. _verber[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to scourge.]

VERDANT, v[.e]r'dant, _adj._ green: fresh (as grass or foliage): flourishing: inexperienced: ignorant.--_n._ VER'DANCY.--_adv._ VER'DANTLY.--_ns._ VER'DERER, -OR, an officer in the old English royal forests who had charge of the vert (q.v.); VER'D[=U]RE, greenness: freshness of growth.--_v.t._ to cover with verdure.--_adjs._ VER'D[=U]RED; VER'D[=U]RELESS; VER'D[=U]ROUS. [Fr. _verdoyant_--L. _viridans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of _virid[=a]re_, to grow green--_viridis_, green--_vir[=e]re_, to be green.]

VERDE-ANTIQUE, verd-an-t[=e]k', _n._ a beautiful stone of a dark-green colour with patches of white, and sometimes black and red--a mixture of serpentine with limestone dolomite or magnesite, much prized by the ancient Romans. [O. Fr.]

VERDICT, ver'dikt, _n._ the finding of a jury on a trial: decision: opinion pronounced.--OPEN VERDICT, a verdict upon an inquest which finds that a crime has been committed without specifying the criminal; SPECIAL VERDICT, a verdict in which specific facts are found and put on the record. [O. Fr. _verdit_--Low L. _veredictum_--L. _vere_, truly, _dictum_, a saying.]

VERDIGRIS, ver'di-gris, _n._ a basic acetate of copper, the greenish rust of copper, brass, or bronze: a bluish-green paint got artificially from copper-plates.--_v.t._ to coat with verdigris.--Also VER'DEGRIS. [M. E. _verdegrese_, _verte grece_--O. Fr. _verd (vert) de gris_--_verd_, green, _de_, of, _Gris_, Greeks--L. _Græcus_, Greek. _Vert de gris_ has been wrongly explained as 'green of gray'--_gris_, gray, or as 'green of copper'--L. _æs_, _æris_, copper.]

VERDITER, ver'di-t[.e]r, _n._ a light-blue pigment, essentially a hydrated cupric carbonate--_Green verditer_ is the blue pigment changed to green by boiling. [A corr. of Fr. _verd-de-terre_=earth green.]

VERDOY, ver'doi, _adj._ (_her._) charged with flowers, leaves, or vegetable charges, as a bordure. [Fr. _verd_, green.]

VERDUN, ver-dun', _n._ a 16th-cent. form of rapier. [From the French town _Verdun_.]

VERECUND, ver'[=e]-kund, _adj._ (_obs._) modest.--_adj._ VERECUN'DIOUS.--_n._ VERECUN'DITY.

VERETILLIFORM, ver-e-til'i-form, _adj._ rod-like, virgate.--Also VERETILL'EOUS.

VERGE, verj, _n._ a slender green branch, a twig: a rod, staff, or mace, or anything like them, used as an emblem of authority: extent of jurisdiction (esp. of the lord-steward of the royal household): the brink, extreme edge: the horizon: a boundary, limit: scope, opportunity: in gardening, the grass edging of a bed or border.--_ns._ VER'GER, one who carries a verge or emblem of authority: the beadle of a cathedral church: a pew-opener or attendant in church; VER'GERSHIP; VERGETTE' (_her._), a pallet. [L. _virga_, a slender branch.]

VERGE, verj, _v.i._ to bend or incline: to tend downward: to slope: to tend: to border upon.--_n._ VER'GENCY.--_adj._ VER'GENT. [L. _verg[)e]re_, to bend, incline; cf. _valgus_, wry.]

VERIDICAL, v[=e]-rid'i-kal, _adj._ truthful, truth-telling: true.--_adv._ VERID'ICALLY.--_adj._ VERID'ICOUS, truthful. [L. _verus_, true, _dic[)e]re_, to say.]

VERIEST. See VERY.

VERIFY, ver'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make out or show to be true: to establish the truth of by evidence: to fulfil: to confirm the truth or authenticity of: (_Shak._) to affirm, support, strengthen:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ ver'if[=i]ed.--_n._ VERIF[=I]ABIL'ITY.--_adj._ VER'IF[=I]ABLE, that may be verified, proved, or confirmed.--_ns._ VERIFIC[=A]'TION, a verifying or proving to be true: the state of being verified; VER'IF[=I]ER. [L. _verus_, true, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

VERILY, ver'i-li, _adv._ truly: certainly: really.

VERISIMILAR, ver-i-sim'i-lar, _adj._ truth-like: likely: probable.--_adv._ VERISIM'ILARLY.--_ns._ VERISIMIL'ITUDE, similitude or likeness to truth: likelihood; VERISIMIL'ITY (_obs._).--_adj._ VERISIM'ILOUS. [L. _verisimilis_--_verus_, true, _similis_, like.]

VERITY, ver'i-ti, _n._ the quality of being true or real: truth: a true assertion or tenet: (_Shak._) honesty:--_pl._ VER'ITIES.--_adj._ VER'ITABLE, true: according to fact: real: actual.--_adv._ VER'ITABLY.--OF A VERITY, certainly. [L. _veritas_--_verus_, true.]

VERJUICE, ver'j[=oo]s, _n._ the expressed juice of green or unripe fruit: sourness of temper.--_v.t._ to make sour or acid. [Fr. _verjus_--_vert_, green (cf. _Verdant_), and Fr. _jus_, juice.]

VERMEIL, VERMIL, ver'mil, _n._ (_Spens._) same as VERMILION: silver-gilt.--_adj._ VER'MEIL-TINC'TURED (_Milt._), tinged bright-red.

VERMES, ver'm[=e]z, _n.pl._ worms: the name given by Linnæus to one of the classes in his zoological system, in which he included all the invertebrate animals, other than Insecta, whether of worm-like form or not.--_ns._ VERMEOL'OGIST, one skilled in vermeology; VERMEOL'OGY, the knowledge of worms, helminthology.--_adjs._ VER'MIAN, VERMI'CEOUS, worm-like; VER'MICIDAL, destroying worms.--_n._ VER'MICIDE, a worm-killer.--_adjs._ VERMIC'[=U]LAR, VERMIC'[=U]LATE, -D, pertaining to or like a worm (esp. in its motion): inlaid or formed so as to imitate the track of worms: crawling like a worm.--_v.t._ VERMIC'[=U]LATE, to form inlaid work which resembles the motion or track of worms.--_ns._ VERMICUL[=A]'TION; VER'MICULE, a little worm.--_adjs._ VERMIC'ULOSE, VERMIC'ULOUS, wormy; VER'MIFORM, having the form of a worm; VERMIF'UGAL, expelling worms.--_n._ VER'MIFUGE (_med._), a substance that destroys intestinal worms or expels them from the digestive canal.--_adjs._ VER'MIGRADE, wriggling like a worm; VERMIV'OROUS, devouring worms, feeding on grubs. [L. _vermis_, a worm.]

VERMICELLI, ver-mi-chel'i, or -sel'i, _n._ the stiff paste or dough of fine wheat-flour made into small worm-like or thread-like rolls. [It., pl. of _vermicello_--L. _vermiculus_, dim. of _vermis_, worm.]

VERMILION, ver-mil'yun, _n._ a bright-red pigment obtained from cinnabar, but generally made artificially from mercury and sulphur: any beautiful red colour: (_obs._) the kermes or cochineal insect, also the product of cochineal.--_adj._ of the colour of vermilion.--_v.t._ to dye vermilion: to colour a delicate red.--_n._ VER'MILY (_Spens._), same as VERMILION. [O. Fr. _vermillon_--_vermeil_--L. _vermiculus_, a little worm, hence (in the Vulgate) the 'scarlet' worm, dim. of _vermis_, a worm.]

VERMIN, ver'min, _n.sing._ and _pl._ a worm: a name for all obnoxious insects, as bugs, fleas, and lice; troublesome animals, such as mice, rats; animals destructive to game, such as weasels, polecats, also hawks and owls: any contemptible person, or such collectively.--_v.i._ VER'MIN[=A]TE, to breed vermin.--_ns._ VERMIN[=A]'TION; VER'MIN-KILL'ER.--_adj._ VER'MINOUS, infested with worms: like vermin.--_adv._ VER'MINOUSLY. [Fr. _vermine_--L. _vermis_, a worm.]

VERMUTH, VERMOUTH, ver'mooth, _n._ a mild cordial consisting of white wine flavoured with wormwood, used as a stimulant for the appetite. [Ger. _wermuth_, wormwood; cf. A.S. _werm[=o]d_.]

VERNACULAR, ver-nak'[=u]-lar, _adj._ native: belonging to the country of one's birth.--_n._ one's mother-tongue.--_n._ VERNACULARIS[=A]'TION, the act of making vernacular.--_v.t._ VERNAC'ULARISE, to make vernacular.--_ns._ VERNAC'ULARISM, a vernacular word or idiom, the use of such; VERNACULAR'ITY, an idiom.--_adv._ VERNAC'ULARLY.--_v.t._ VERNAC'ULATE, to express in a vernacular idiom.--_adj._ VERNAC'ULOUS, scurrilous. [L. _vernaculus_--_verna_, a home-born slave.]

VERNAL, ver'nal, _adj._ belonging to the spring: appearing in spring: belonging to youth.--_adv._ VER'NALLY.--_adj._ VER'NANT (_Milt._), flourishing as in spring.--_v.i._ VER'N[=A]TE, to flourish.--_n._ VERN[=A]'TION, the particular manner of arrangement of leaves in the bud.--VERNAL EQUINOX, the equinox on or about 21st March (see EQUINOX); VERNAL GRASS, a common British meadow grass about a foot high, and sown among hay for its flavour and agreeable odour. [L. _vernalis_--_ver_, spring.]

VERNER'S LAW. See LAW.

VERNIER, ver'ni-[.e]r, _n._ a contrivance for measuring very small intervals, consisting of a short scale made to slide along a graduated instrument. [So called from Pierre _Vernier_ (1580-1637) of Brussels, its inventor.]

VERONESE, ver-[=o]-n[=e]s', or -n[=e]z', _n._ of or pertaining to _Verona_ in Italy.--_n._ an inhabitant of VERONA.

VERONICA, v[=e]-ron'i-ka, _n._ a portrait of our Saviour's face on a handkerchief--from the legend that St Veronica wiped the sweat from the face of Jesus, on His way to Calvary, with her handkerchief, whereupon His features were impressed on the cloth: a genus of plants, popularly known as Speedwell. [_Veronica_, not L. _vera_, true, Gr. _eik[=o]n_, image, but identical with _Beren[=i]c[=e]_, the traditional name of the woman cured of the issue of blood--a corr. of Gr. _pherenik[=e]_, victorious--_pherein_, to bear, _nik[=e]_, victory.]

VERRÉ, VERREY, ve-r[=a]', _adj._ Same as VAIRÉ.

VERREL, ver'el, _n._ a corruption of _ferrule_.

VERRICULE, ver'i-k[=u]l, _n._ a tuft of upright hairs. [L. _verriculum_, a net.]

VERRUCA, ve-r[=u]'ka, _n._ a wart, a glandular elevation: one of the wart-like sessile apothecia of some lichens.--_adjs._ VERR[=U]'CIFORM, warty; VER'R[=U]COSE, VER'R[=U]COUS, covered with little knobs or wart-like prominences: warty; VERR[=U]'CULOSE, minutely verrucose. [L. _verruca_, a wart.]

VERRUGAS, ve-r[=oo]'gas, _n._ an endemic disease of Peru, characterised by warty tumours on the skin. [Sp.,--L. _verruca_, a wart.]

VERSABILITY, ver-sa-bil'i-ti, _n._ aptness to be turned round.--_adj._ VER'SABLE.--_n._ VER'SABLENESS. [L. _vers[=a]re_, to whirl about.]

VERSAL, ver'sal, _adj._ (_Shak._) abbrev. of _universal_.

VERSANT, ver'sant, _adj._ familiar, conversant: (_her._) with wings erect and open.--_n._ the general slope of surface of a country. [Fr.,--L. _vers[=a]re_, to whirl about.]

VERSATILE, ver'sa-til, _adj._ capable of being moved or turned round: changeable: unsteady: turning easily from one thing to another: (_bot._) swinging freely on a support: (_ornith._) reversible, of toes.--_adv._ VER'SATILELY.--_ns._ VER'SATILENESS, VERSATIL'ITY, the quality of being versatile: changeableness: the faculty of turning easily to new tasks or subjects. [Fr.,--L. _versatilis_--_vers[=a]re_, freq. of _vert[)e]re_, to turn.]

VERSE, vers, _n._ a line of poetry: metrical arrangement and language: poetry: a stanza: a short division of any composition, esp. of the chapters of the Bible, originally confined to the metrical books, applied first to whole Bible in 1528: (_mus._) a portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.--_v.t._ to relate in verse.--_ns._ VERS-DE-SOCIÉTÉ (same as SOCIETY-VERSE; see under SOCIABLE); VERSE'LET; VERSE-M[=A]'KER; VERSE-M[=A]'KING; VERSE'-MAN, a writer of verses; VERSE'-MONG'ER, a scribbler of verses; VERSE'-MONG'ERING, verse-writing, esp. of poor verses; VER'SER, a versifier; VER'SET (_mus._), a very short organ interlude or prelude; VER'SICLE, a little verse: in liturgy, the verse said by the officiant.--_adj._ VERSIC'[=U]LAR, pertaining to verses.--_ns._ VERSIFIC[=A]'TION, the act, art, or practice of composing metrical verses; VER'SIFIC[=A]TOR, VER'SIFIC[=A]TRIX, a male, female, maker of verses; VER'SIF[=I]ER.--_v.i._ VER'SIFY, to make verses.--_v.t._ to relate in verse: to turn into verse:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ ver'sif[=i]ed.--_n._ VER'SION, the act of translating or turning from one language into another: that which is translated from one language into another: account: statement: a school exercise, generally of composition in a foreign language.--_adj._ VER'SIONAL, pertaining to a version or translation.--_n._ VER'SIONIST, a translator.--_adj._ VER'S[=U]AL, of the character of a verse, pertaining to verses or short paragraphs. [A.S. _fers_--L. _versus_, _vorsus_, a line, furrow, turning--_vert[)e]re_, to turn; influenced by O. Fr. _vers_.]

VERSED, verst, _adj._ thoroughly acquainted, skilled (fol. by _in_): (_math._) reversed.--_adj._ VERSÉ (_her._), reversed or turned in an unusual direction.--Also RENVERSE. [Fr. _versé_--L. _versatus_, pa.p. of _vers[=a]ri_, to turn round.]

VERSICOLOUR, ver'si-kul-ur, _adj._ having diverse or having changeable colours.--Also VERSICOL'OURED. [L. _vers[=a]re_, to change, and colour.]

VERSIFORM, ver'si-form, _adj._ varying in form.

VERSO, ver's[=o], _n._ a left-hand page: the reverse of a coin or medal.

VERST, verst, _n._ a Russian mile, 3500 feet in length, or almost two-thirds of an English mile. [Russ. _versta_, a verst; perh. _vertiet[)i]_, to turn, cog. with L. _vert[)e]re_, to turn.]

VERSUS, ver'sus, _prep._ against, in legal phraseology--abbreviated _v._ and _vs._ [L.]

VERSUTE, ver-s[=u]t, _adj._ crafty, wily.

VERT, vert, _n._ in forest law, every green leaf or plant having green leaves which may serve as a covert for deer: a power to cut green trees or wood: (_her._) a green colour represented by parallel lines sloping diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base. [Fr. _vert_--L. _viridis_, green.]

VERT, vert, _n._ a familiar word for _convert_ or _pervert_.--_v.i._ to become such.

VERTEBRA, ver't[=e]-bra, _n._ one of the segmented portions of the spinal column:--_pl._ VERTEBRÆ (ver'te-br[=e]).--_adj._ VER'TEBRAL.--_adv._ VER'TEBRALLY.--_n.pl._ VERTEBR[=A]'TA, a division of the animal kingdom containing all animals having a backbone or its equivalent.--_n._ VER'TEBR[=A]TE, an animal having an internal skeleton with a backbone.--_adjs._ VER'TEBR[=A]TE, -D, furnished with joints: having a backbone.--_n._ VERTEBR[=A]'TION, the formation of vertebræ;. [L.,--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]

VERTEX, v[.e]r'teks, _n._ the top or summit: the point of a cone, pyramid, or angle; (_astron._) the zenith: (_anat._) the crown of the head:--_pl._ VER'TICES.--_adj._ VER'TICAL, pertaining to the vertex: placed in the zenith: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon.--_n._ a vertical line.--_adv._ VER'TICALLY.--_n._ VER'TICALNESS.--VERTICAL ANGLES, opposite angles formed by intersecting lines; VERTICAL CIRCLE, a great circle of the heavens passing through the zenith and the nadir. [L., eddy, summit--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]

VERTICILLATE, ver-ti-sil'[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) arranged round the stalk in a ring or whorl, as leaves or flowers, whorled.--_n._ VER'TICIL, a whorl. [Low L. _verticillatus_--_verticillus_, dim. of _vertex_.]

VERTIGO, ver'ti-g[=o], or ver-t[=i]'g[=o], _n._ a sensation of giddiness: dizziness.--_adjs._ VERTIGINATE (ver-tij'-), VERTIG'INOUS, turning round: affected with vertigo: giddy.--_adv._ VERTIG'INOUSLY.--_n._ VERTIG'INOUSNESS. [L.,--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]

VERTU, old spelling of virtue.--_adj._ VER'TUOUS (_Spens._), possessing virtue or power.

VERTUMNUS, ver-tum'nus, _n._ an ancient Roman divinity of gardens and orchards, a spring god.

VERULAMIAN, v[.e]r-[=u]-l[=a]'mi-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to St Albans, or Francis Bacon, Baron _Verulam_, Viscount St Albans (1561-1626). [L. _Verulamium_, an ancient British city near the site of St Albans.]

VERULED, ver'[=oo]ld, _adj._ (_her._) ringed, as a horn, in a different tincture.--_n._ VER'ULES (_her._), a bearing consisting of a series of concentric rings, one within another. [_Virole_.]

VERVAIN, ver'v[=a]n, _n._ a plant of the genus _Verbena_--credited with efficacy in love-philtres, good against witches, &c. [O. Fr. _verveine_--L. _verb[=e]na_.]

VERVE, verv, _n._ the enthusiasm which animates a poet or artist: animation: energy. [Fr.]

VERVELLE, ver-vel', _n._ the loop that secured the camail in medieval armour. [Fr.]

VERVELS, verv'elz, _n.pl._ small rings attached to the ends of the jesses of a hawk, through which the leash is passed that fastens the hawk to its block.--_adj._ VERV'ELLED. [Fr. _vervelle_.]

VERVET, ver'vet, _n._ a South African monkey.

VERY, ver'i, _adj._ true (now used chiefly in an intensive sense): real (so in _B._): actual--sometimes used in superlative form VER'IEST.--_adv._ in a high degree.--IN VERY DEED, of a truth, certainly. [Older form _veray_--O. Fr. _verai_ (Fr. _vrai_), from L. _verax_, _veracis_, speaking truly--_verus_, true; cf. Ger. _wahr_.]

VESALIAN, v[=e]-s[=a]'li-an, _adj._ connected with the name of the anatomist Andreas _Vesalius_ (1514-64).

VESANIA, v[=e]-s[=a]'ni-a, _n._ insanity.

VESICA, v[=e]-s[=i]'ka, _n._ (_anat._) a bladder, sac, esp. the urinary bladder:--_pl._ VESICÆ (v[=e]-s[=i]'s[=e]).--_adjs._ VES'ICAL, of or pertaining to a vesica; VES'ICANT, blistering.--_n._ a substance that vesicates or raises blisters.--_v.t._ VES'IC[=A]TE, to raise blisters on:--_pr.p._ ves'ic[=a]ting; _pa.p._ ves'ic[=a]ted.--_ns._ VESIC[=A]'TION, the act or process of raising blisters on the skin; VES'IC[=A]TORY (same as VESICANT); VES'ICLE, a small bladder or blister: a small cavity in an animal body; (_bot._) a bladder-like cell; V[=E]SIC'[=U]LA, a vesicle.--_adj._ V[=E]SIC'ULAR.--_adv._ V[=E]SIC'[=U]LARLY.--_n._ V[=E]SIC[=U]L[=A]'TION, formation of vesicles.--_adjs._ V[=E]SIC[=U]LIF'EROUS, bearing vesicles; V[=E]SIC'[=U]LIFORM; V[=E]SIC'[=U]LOSE, V[=E]SIC'[=U]LOUS, V[=E]SIC'[=U]L[=A]TE, pertaining to or full of vesicles: full of interstices: having little glands on the surface.--VESICA PISCIS (a fish's bladder), a symbol of Christ, an oval aureole surrounding the entire upright figure, supposed to contain an allusion to the sacred Christian emblem, the _ichthys_. [L., bladder.]

VESPER, ves'p[.e]r, _n._ the evening star, Venus: the evening: (_pl._) the last but one of the seven canonical hours: evensong, evening service generally.--_adj._ VES'PERAL, pertaining to the evening or to vespers.--_n._ VES'PER-BELL, the bell that summons to vespers.--_adjs._ VES'PERTINE, VES'PERTINAL, of or pertaining to the evening: (_bot._) opening in the evening: (_zool._) active in the evening.--SICILIAN VESPERS (see SICILIAN). [Fr.,--L.; Gr. _hesperos_.]

VESPERTILIO, ves-p[.e]r-til'i-[=o], _n._ a Linnæan genus of mammals, of order _Primates_--the modern order _Chiroptera_.--_adj._ VESPERTIL'IONINE.

VESPIARY, ves'pi-a-ri, _n._ a hornet's nest.--_adj._ VES'PIFORM, VES'PINE, wasp-like.

VESSEL, ves'el, _n._ a vase or utensil for holding something: a hollow structure made to float on water, used for conveyance, &c.: a tube in which fluids, as blood, &c., are contained: a person considered as an agent of God.--THE WEAKER VESSEL, a phrase colloquially applied to a woman, in allusion to 1 Pet. iii. 7. [O. Fr. _vessel_ (Fr. _vaisseau_)--L. _vascellum_, dim. of _vas_, a vase.]

VEST, vest, _n._ that which is put on as dress: a garment: a waistcoat: formerly a cassock-like garment: a kind of close jacket worn by women, an extra piece or trimming on the front of the bodice of a woman's gown, often V-shaped: a knitted or woven undergarment: (_arch._) a vestment.--_v.t._ to clothe: to invest: (_law_) to give fixed right of possession.-_v.i._ to descend or to take effect, as a right.--_adj._ VES'TED, clothed, wearing robes of ceremony: not contingent or suspended, hence (_law_) already acquired: denoting a present absolute right.--_n._ VES'TIARY (_obs._), a wardrobe: (_rare_) garb, clothing:--_pl._ VES'TIARIES.--_n._ VES'TING, cloth for men's waistcoats.--VEST IN INTEREST, to devolve as matter of right without reference to immediate right of possession. [Fr. _veste_--L. _vestis_.]

VESTA, ves'ta, _n._ among the Romans, the chaste goddess that presided over the family, in whose temple the sacred fire was continually kept burning: the fourth planetoid discovered in 1807: a match or waxlight:--_pl._ VES'TAS.--_adj._ VES'TAL, pertaining to or consecrated to the service of Vesta: chaste: pure.--_n._ in the ancient Roman religion, one of the six patrician virgins consecrated to Vesta: a virgin, a nun, a woman of spotless chastity.

VESTIBULE, ves'ti-b[=u]l, _n._ an open court or porch before a house: a hall next the entrance to a house: (_anat._) a small bony cavity forming part of the ear--also VESTIB'-[=U]LUM.--_v.t._ to furnish with a vestibule.--_adjs._ VESTIB'[=U]LAR, VESTIB'[=U]L[=A]TE. [Fr.,--L. _vestibulum_--traced by some to _ve_, apart, _stabulum_, abode; by others to _vestis_, garment, as being the place where the outer clothing is put on or off in entering or leaving a house.]

VESTIGE, ves'tij, _n._ a track or footprint: traces or remains of something: (_biol._) an organ or tissue which still survives but has lost the utility it possessed, but corresponding to a useful part in an organism of lower type.--_adjs._ VESTI'GIAL, VESTI'GIARY.--_n._ VESTI'GIUM (_anat._, _biol._), a vestige. [Fr.,--L. _vestigium_--_vestig[=a]re_, to track.]

VESTIMENT, ves'ti-ment, _n._ (_Spens._)=_Vestment_.

VESTITURE, ves'ti-t[=u]r, _n._ the hairs, scales, &c. covering a surface.

VESTLET, vest'let, _n._ a tubicolous sea-anemone of genus _Cerianthus_.

VESTMENT, vest'ment, _n._ something put on, a garment: a long outer robe: (_pl._) articles of dress worn by the clergy during divine service and the administration of the sacraments--_amice_, _alb_, _girdle_, _maniple_, _stole_, _chasuble_, &c.: covering of the altar. [L. _vestimentum_--_vest[=i]re_, to clothe--_vestis_, a garment.]

VESTRY, ves'tri, _n._ a room adjoining a church in which the vestments are kept and parochial meetings held, any small room attached to a church: in English parishes, a meeting of the ratepayers to elect parish officers, to assess church-rates, and to manage the property of the parish, the incumbent acting as chairman.--_adj._ VES'TRAL.--_ns._ VES'TRY-CLERK, an officer chosen by the vestry who keeps the parish accounts and books; VES'TRYMAN, a member of a vestry.--SELECT VESTRY, a board consisting of representatives of the ratepayers, as opposed to the _common vestry_ or assembly of all the ratepayers. [Fr.,--L. _vestiarium_--_vestiarius_, belonging to clothes--_vestis_, a garment.]

VESTURE, ves't[=u]r, _n._ clothing: dress: a robe: integument.--_v.t._ to clothe, robe.--_adjs._ VES'T[=U]RAL; VES'T[=U]RED.--_n._ VES'T[=U]RER, one who has charge of ecclesiastical vestments.

VESUVIAN, v[=e]-s[=u]'vi-an, _adj._ pertaining or relating to _Vesuvius_, a volcano near Naples.--_n._ a kind of match used in lighting cigars, &c.--_n._ VES[=U]'VIAN[=I]TE, a mineral allied to garnet, sometimes called pyramidal garnet, found in volcanic and primitive rocks, and so called because frequent in masses ejected from Vesuvius--also Idocrase.--_v.t._ VES[=U]'VIATE, to burst forth like an eruption.

VET., vet, _n._ (_coll._) an abbreviation from _veterinary_ (_surgeon_).

VETCH, vech, _n._ a genus of plants, mostly climbing, some cultivated for fodder, esp. the tare.--_n._ VETCH'LING, a name of various vetch-like plants.--_adj._ VETCH'Y, abounding with vetches: (_Spens._) consisting of vetches. [O.Fr. _veche_ (Fr. _vesce_)--L. _vicia_, akin to _vinc[=i]re_, to bind.]

VETERAN, vet'e-ran, _adj._ old, experienced: long exercised, esp. in military life.--_n._ one long exercised in any service, esp. in war.--_v.t._ VET'ERANISE, to make veteran.--_v.i._ (_U.S._) to re-enlist for military service. [L. _veteranus_--_vetus_, _veteris_, old.]

VETERINARY, vet'e-ri-na-ri, _adj._ pertaining to the art of treating the diseases of domestic animals: professing or practising this art.--_n._ one skilled in the diseases of domestic animals.--Also VETERIN[=A]'RIAN. [L. _veterinarius_--_veterina_ (_bestia_), a beast of burden.]

VETIVER, vet'i-v[.e]r, _n._ the dried roots of the cuscus-grass, with an odour like sandalwood--making baskets, fans, and mats,

VETO, v[=e]'t[=o], _n._ any authoritative prohibition: the power of rejecting or forbidding:--_pl._ VETOES (v[=e]'t[=o]z).--_v.t._ to reject by a veto: to withhold assent to.--ABSOLUTE VETO, a veto without restriction. [L. _vet[=a]re_, to forbid.]

VETTURA, vet-t[=oo]'ra, _n._ an Italian four-wheeled carriage.--_n._ VETTURINO (vet-t[=oo]-r[=e]'n[=o]), one who drives or lends for hire a vettura:--_pl._ VETTURI'NI. [It.,--L. _vectura_, a carrying--_veh[)e]re_, to convey.]

VETUST, v[=e]-tust', _adj._ old. [L. _vetustus_--_vetus_, old.]

VEX, veks, _v.t._ to harass: to torment: to irritate by small provocations: to agitate: to contest.--_v.i._ (_obs._) to be vexed.--_n._ (_Scot._) a trouble.--_n._ VEX[=A]'TION, a vexing: state of being vexed: trouble: a teasing annoyance: uneasiness.--_adj._ VEX[=A]'TIOUS, causing vexation or annoyance: harassing: full of trouble.--_adv._ VEX[=A]'TIOUSLY.--_n._ VEX[=A]'TIOUSNESS.--_adj._ VEXED, amazed.--_n._ VEX'ER.--_adj._ VEX'ING.--_adv._ VEX'INGLY, so as to vex or annoy.--_n._ VEX'INGNESS.--VEXATIOUS SUIT (_law_), a suit begun without justifiable cause. [Fr. _vexer_--L. _vex[=a]re_, to shake, annoy--_veh[)e]re_. to carry.]

VEXILLUM, vek-sil'um, _n._ in the ancient Roman army, a standard, the troop serving under such a standard: (_eccles._) a processional banner: (_bot._) the large posterior petal of a papilionaceous flower--also VEX'IL; the web or vane of a feather:--_pl._ VEXILL'A.--_adjs._ VEX'ILLAR, VEX'ILLARY.--_ns._ VEX'ILLARY, VEX'ILL[=A]TOR, a standard-bearer.--_adj._ VEX'ILLATE, having vexilla.--_n._ VEXILL[=A]'TION, a company under one vexillum. [L., 'an ensign'--_veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

VIA, v[=i]'a, or v[=e]'a, _n._ a highway, a road, a route--_via London_=by way of London: a natural passage of the body.--_n._ VIAM'ETER, an odometer.--_adj._ VIAT'IC.--_n.pl._ VIAT'ICALS, military baggage.--VIA DOLOROSA, the Way of Calvary (see STATION); VIA LACTEA, the Milky-Way or Galaxy; VIA MEDIA, the midway course or mean between popular Protestantism and Roman Catholicism which Newman almost down to 1845 succeeded in believing that the Anglican divines of the 17th century had taken up.--PRIMÆ VIÆ, the first or main passages, the alimentary canal, the bowels; SECUNDÆ VIÆ, the lacteal or chyliferous vessels.

VIA, v[=e]'a, _interj._ away! off! either in command or defiance. [It.,--L. _via_, way.]

VIABLE, v[=i]'a-bl, _adj._ capable of living.--_n._ VIABIL'ITY. [Fr., through Low L.--L. _vita_, life.]

VIADUCT, v[=i]'a-dukt, _n._ a road or railway carried by a structure over a valley, river, &c. [L. _via_, a way, _duc[)e]re_, _ductum_, to lead, bring.]

VIAL, v[=i]'al, _n._ same as PHIAL, _v.t._ to keep in a vial.--_n._ V[=I]'ALFUL.--POUR OUT VIALS OF WRATH, to inflict judgment (Rev. xvi. 1): to storm, rage.

VIAND, v[=i]'and, _n._ food, articles for food--usually in _pl._ [Fr. _viande_--Low L. _vivanda_ (for _vivenda_), food necessary for life--L. _viv[)e]re_, to live.]

VIATICUM, v[=i]-at'ik-um, _n._ (_orig._) provisions for the way: (_R.C. Church_) the eucharist given to persons in danger of death: a portable altar.--_n._ VI[=A]'TOR, a traveller, wayfarer: a summoner, apparitor. [L.,--_via_, a way.]

VIBEX, v[=i]'beks, _n._ a purple spot under the skin in certain fevers:--_pl._ VIB[=I]'CES. [L.]

VIBRACULUM, v[=i]-brak'[=u]-lum, _n._ one of the long whip-like appendages of the cells of some Polyzoa:--_pl._ VIBRAC'[=U]LA.--Also VIBRAC[=U]L[=A]'RIUM.

VIBRATE, v[=i]'br[=a]t, _v.i._ to shake: to tremble: to move backwards and forwards: to swing: to pass from one state to another.--_v.t._ to cause to shake: to move to and fro: to measure by moving to and fro: to affect with vibratory motion.--_adjs._ V[=I]'BRANT, vibrating: sonorous; V[=I]'BRATILE, having a vibratory motion: (_zool._) adapted to or used in vibratory motion.--_ns._ V[=I]BRATIL'ITY; V[=I]BR[=A]'TION, a vibrating: state of being vibrated: tremulousness, quivering motion.--_adj._ V[=I]BR[=A]'TIONAL.--_n._ V[=I]BR[=A]'TIUNCLE, a small vibration.--_adjs._ V[=I]'BR[=A]TIVE, V[=I]'BR[=A]TORY, vibrating: consisting in vibrations: causing vibrations.--_ns._ V[=I]'BR[=A]TOR (_elect._), a vibrating reed used to open and close the electric current: (_print._) a vibrating reed used for distributing the ink; VI'BROSCOPE, an instrument for registering vibrations. [L. _vibr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to tremble.]

VIBRATO, v[=e]-brä't[=o], _n._ a pulsating effect in vocal music, caused by rapid variation of emphasis on the same tone. [It.]

VIBRIO, vib'r[=i]-[=o], _n._ a name given with much laxity to various kinds of more or less screw-shaped Bacteria--also to small nematoid worms, such as cause ear-cockles in wheat.--_n._ VIB'RION, a motile bacterium. [L. _vibr[=a]re_.]

VIBRISSA, v[=i]-bris'a, _n._ a whisker, as of a cat: a rictal bristle in birds: bristle, hair, as in the nostril:--_pl._ VIBRISS'Æ (-[=e]). [L., 'a hair in the nostril.']

VIBROGEN, vib'r[=o]-jen, _n._ (_bot._) active cellular tissue arranged in layers in the cortex of certain tendrils, causing circumnutation.

VIBURNUM, v[=i]-bur'num, _n._ a genus of plants of the order _Caprifoliaceæ_, the species being shrubs with simple leaves, natives chiefly of the northern parts of the world.--_Viburnum opulus_ is the Guelder Rose or Snowball Tree; _Viburnum tinus_, the Laurustinus. [L., 'the wayfaring tree.']

VICAR, vik'ar, _n._ one who holds authority as the delegate or substitute of another: a parson of a parish where the tithes are impropriate to a layman or to a chapter, he receiving only the smaller tithes or a salary: (_R.C. Church_) a bishop's assistant who exercises jurisdiction in his name.--_ns._ VIC'AR[=A]GE, the benefice or residence of a vicar; VIC'AR-APOSTOL'IC (formerly one to whom the pope delegated some remote portion of his jurisdiction), now usually a titular bishop appointed to a country where either no sees have been formed or the episcopal succession has been broken; VIC'AR-CH[=O]'RAL, an assistant, cleric or lay, at an English cathedral, esp. in connection with the music; VIC'AR-FOR[=A]NE', an ecclesiastic to whom a bishop gives a limited jurisdiction in a town or district of his diocese--in effect, a rural dean; VIC'AR-GEN'ERAL, an official performing the work of an archdeacon under the bishop: in the English Church, an officer assisting the bishop, the chancellor of the diocese.--_adjs._ V[=I]C[=A]'RIAL, pertaining to a vicar: substituted; V[=I]C[=A]'RI[=A]TE, having vicarious or delegated power.--_n._ (also VIC'AR[=A]TE) vicarship, delegated power.--_adj._ V[=I]C[=A]'RIOUS, filling the place of another: performed or suffered in place of or for the sake of another.--_adv._ V[=I]C[=A]'RIOUSLY.--_ns._ V[=I]C[=A]'RIOUSNESS; V[=I]C[=A]'RIUS, a vicar; VIC'ARSHIP, the office of a vicar; VIC'ARY, a vicarage.--VICARIOUS SACRIFICE (_theol._), the suffering of Christ accepted by God in lieu of the punishment to which guilty man is liable.--VICAR-OF-BRAY, one who turns his coat without difficulty to suit the times--from Simon Aleyn, who kept the vicarage of _Bray_ from 1540 to 1588, during the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth; VICAR OF CHRIST, a title assumed by the pope, who claims to be the representative of Christ on earth as the head of His Church. [L. _vicarius_, supplying the place of another--_vicis_, change, alternation.]

VICE, VISE, v[=i]s, _n._ an iron or wooden screw-press, fixed to the edge of a workboard, for holding anything tightly while being filed, &c.: (_Shak._) a grip, grasp.--_v.t._ to screw. [Fr. _vis_ (It. _vite_, screw)--L. _vitis_, tendril of a vine, anything spiral.]

VICE, v[=i]s, _n._ a blemish or fault: immoral conduct: depravity of manners: a bad trick or habit in a horse: mischievousness: the stock buffoon in the old English Moralities or moral plays.--_n._ VICIOS'ITY.--_adj._ VICIOUS (vish'us).--_adv._ VIC'IOUSLY.--_n._ VIC'IOUSNESS.--VICIOUS CIRCLE, syllogism, circular or erroneous reasoning; VICIOUS INTROMISSION (see INTROMIT). [Fr.,--L. _vitium_, a blemish.]

VICE, v[=i]s, _prep._ in the place of: also a prefix denoting in the compound word one who acts in place of or is second in rank to another.--_n._ a vice-chairman, &c.: one who acts in place of a superior.--_ns._ VICE'-AD'MIRAL, one acting in the place of, or second in command to, an admiral; VICE'-AD'MIRALTY, the office of a vice-admiral--(VICE'-AD'MIRALTY COURTS, tribunals in the British colonies, having jurisdiction over maritime causes); VICE'-CHAIR'MAN, an alternate chairman; VICE'-CHAIR'MANSHIP; VICE'-CHAN'CELLOR, one acting for a chancellor: a lower judge of Chancery; (_R.C. Church_) the cardinal whose duty it is to draft and despatch papal bulls and briefs; VICE'-CHAN'CELLORSHIP; VICE'-CON'SUL, one who acts in a consul's place: a consul in a less important district; VICE'-CON'SULSHIP; VICE-DEAN', a canon chosen to represent an absent dean; VICEG[=E]'RENCY, the office of a vicegerent, deputed power.--_adj._ VICEG[=E]'RENT, acting in place of another, having delegated authority.--_n._ one acting in place of a superior.--_ns._ VICE'-GOV'ERNOR, deputy governor; VICE'-KING, one who acts in place of a king; VICE'-PRES'IDENCY, -PRES'IDENTSHIP; VICE'-PRES'IDENT, an officer next in rank below the president; VICE'-PRIN'CIPAL, assistant principal.--_adj._ VICER[=E]'GAL.--_ns._ VICER[=E]'GENCY; VICE'ROY, VICER[=E]'GENT, one representing the royal authority in a dependency, as in India; VICEROY'ALTY, VICE'ROYSHIP. [L., 'in the place of,' abl. of _vicis_ (gen.), change.]

VICENARY, vis'e-n[=a]-ri, _adj._ of or belonging to the number twenty: twentieth.--_adj._ V[=I]CEN'NIAL, continuing or comprising twenty years: occurring once every twenty years. [L. _vicenarius_--_viceni_--_viginti_, twenty.]

VICINAGE, vis'i-n[=a]j, _n._ neighbourhood: the places near: neighbourliness.--_adj._ VIC'INAL, neighbouring.--_n._ VICIN'ITY, neighbourhood: nearness: that which is near. [O. Fr. _veisinage_--_veisin_--L. _vicinus_, neighbouring--_vicus_, a row of houses; cf. Gr. _oikos_, a dwelling.]

VICISSITUDE, vi-sis'i-t[=u]d, _n._ change from one thing to another: change: revolution.--_adjs._ VICISSIT[=U]'DINARY, VICISSIT[=U]'DINOUS, changeful, changeable. [L. _vicissitudo_--_vicis_, change.]

VICTIM, vik'tim, _n._ a living being offered as a sacrifice: some thing or person destroyed in the pursuit of an object: a person suffering injury: a dupe.--_n._ VICTIM[=I]S[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ VIC'TIM[=I]SE, to make a victim of: to cheat.--_n._ VIC'TIM[=I]SER, a swindler. [Fr.,--L. _victima_, a beast for sacrifice, adorned with the fillet--_vinc[=i]re_, to bind.]

VICTOR, vik'tor, _n._ one who conquers on any particular occasion: one who defeats in battle: a winner:--_fem._ VIC'TRESS, VIC'TORESS, VIC'TRIX.--_adjs._ VIC'TOR, VICT[=O]'RIOUS, relating to victory: superior in contest: having overcome an enemy: producing or indicating victory.--_adv._ VICT[=O]'RIOUSLY.--_ns._ VICT[=O]'RIOUSNESS; VIC'TORY, a conquering: success in any contest: a battle gained: a female deity of the Greeks personifying success in battle.--CADMEAN VICTORY, one as fatal to the victors as to the vanquished--from the armed men who grew up from the dragon's teeth sown by _Cadmus_, and slew one another all but five, who became the ancestors of the Thebans; MORAL VICTORY (see MORAL); PYRRHIC VICTORY (see PYRRHIC). [L.,--_vinc[)e]re_, _victum_, to conquer.]

VICTORIA, vik-t[=o]'ri-a, _n._ a genus of gigantic aquatic plants of the water-lily family, native to South America, its one species, _Victoria regia_, named after Queen _Victoria_: a low, light, four-wheeled carriage, seating two, having a calash top.--_adj._ VICT[=O]'RIAN, relating to the reign of Queen Victoria, which began in 1837: relating to the colony of Victoria in Australia.--VICTORIA CROSS, a decoration, consisting of a bronze Maltese cross, founded by Queen Victoria in 1856, and awarded for conspicuous bravery on the field.

VICTORINE, vik-t[=o]-r[=e]n', _n._ a kind of fur tippet worn by ladies: a variety of peach.

VICTUAL, v[=i]t'l, _n._ provision of food, that which is necessary for living, food for human beings (gener. in _pl._).--_v.t._ to supply with victuals or food: to store with provisions:--_pr.p._ VICTUALLING (vit'l-ing); _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ VICTUALLED (vit'ld).--_ns._ VICT'UALLAGE, provisions; VICTUALLER (v[=i]t'l-[.e]r), one who supplies provisions.--_adj._ VICT'UALLESS.--_ns._ VICT'UALLING-BILL, a customs document warranting the captain of an outward-bound vessel to ship bonded stores for the voyage; VICT'UALLING-OFF'ICE, -SHIP, an office supplying, a ship conveying, provisions to the navy; VICT'UALLING-YARD, a public establishment for the collection and supply of provisions to the navy.--LICENSED VICTUALLER, an innkeeper who is allowed to sell spirits, wines, &c. [O. Fr. _vitaille_--Low L. _victualia_--L. _victualis_, relating to living--_viv[)e]re_, _victum_, to live.]

VICUGNA, VICUÑA, vi-k[=oo]'nya, or vi-k[=u]'na, _n._ a species or variety of the South American genus _Auchenia_ (allied to the camels), which also includes the llama, alpaca, and the guanaco.--_n._ VICU'NA-CLOTH, a trade name for a mixture of wool and cotton. [Peruv.]

VIDAME, v[=e]-dam', _n._ in French feudal jurisprudence, the deputy of a bishop in temporal affairs: a minor noble. [Low L. _vice_, in place of, _dominus_, lord.]

VIDE, v[=i]'d[=e], see, imper. of L. _vid[=e]re_, to see.--_Vide antea_=see before; _Vide infra_=see below; _Vide post_=see after; _Vide supra_=see above; _Quod vide_, or _q.v._=which see.

VIDELICET, vi-del'i-set, _adv._ to wit, that is, namely--generally VIZ., and rendered 'namely.' [L., for _vid[=e]re licet_, it is permitted to see.]

VIDENDUM, v[=i]-den'dum, _n._ a thing to be seen:--_pl._ V[=I]DEN'DA. [L., ger. of _vid[=e]re_, to see.]

VIDETTE. Same as VEDETTE.

VIDIMUS, vid'i-mus, _n._ an inspection, as of accounts, &c. [L., 'we have seen'--_vid[=e]re_, to see.]

VIDUOUS, vid'[=u]-us, _adj._ widowed.--_ns._ VID'[=U]AGE, widowhood; VID'U[=A]TE, the position or order of widows; VIDU[=A]'TION, the state of being widowed; VID[=U]'ITY, widowhood. [L. _vidua_, a widow.]

VIE, v[=i], _v.i._ to strive for superiority.--_v.t._ to contend about: (_Shak._) to offer as a stake or wager:--_pr.p._ vy'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ v[=i]ed.--_n._ (_obs._) a contest. [M. E. _vien_, by aphæresis from _envien_, to vie, through Fr. from L. _invit[=a]re_, to invite.]

VIELLE, vi-el', _n._ an old form of _viol_. [Fr.]

VIENNESE, vi-e-n[=e]s', or -n[=e]z', _adj._ pertaining to _Vienna_.--_n._ an inhabitant, or the inhabitants, of VIENNA.

VIEW, v[=u], _n._ a seeing: sight: reach of the sight: whole extent seen: that which is seen: inspection, as by a jury, of the place of a crime, of the corpse, &c.: direction in which a thing is seen: the picture of a scene: a sketch: mental survey: mode of looking at or receiving: opinion: intention: (_Shak._) show, appearance.--_v.t._ to see: to look at attentively: to examine intellectually.--_adj._ VIEW'ABLE, that can be viewed.--_ns._ VIEW'ER; VIEW'-HALLOO', the huntsman's cry when the fox breaks cover; VIEW'INESS, character of being viewy or visionary.--_adj._ VIEW'LESS, not to be viewed: invisible.--_adv._ VIEW'LESSLY.--_adj._ VIEW'LY (_prov._), pleasing to look at.--_n._ VIEW'-POINT, point of view.--_adjs._ VIEW'SOME (_prov._), viewly; VIEW'Y (_coll._), holding opinions vague or purely speculative.--DISSOLVING VIEWS, pictures thrown on a screen and made to pass one into the other; FIELD OF VIEW, the compass of visual power; IN VIEW OF, having regard to; ON VIEW, open to public inspection; TO THE VIEW (_Shak._), in public. [Fr. _vue_--_vu_, pa.p. of _voir_--L. _vid[=e]re_, to see.]

VIFDA, vif'da, _n._ in Shetland, meat hung and dried without salt.--Also VIV'DA.

VIGESIMAL, v[=i]-jes'i-mal, _adj._ twentieth.--_n._ VIGESIM[=A]'TION, the putting to death of every twentieth man.--_adj._ VIGES'IMO-QUAR'TO, formed of sheets folded so as to make twenty-four leaves. [L. _vigesimus_--_viginti_, twenty.]

VIGIA, vi-j[=e]'a, _n._ a hydrographical warning on a chart, of a rock, &c. [Sp.]

VIGIL, vij'il, _n._ watching: keeping awake for religious exercises: the eve before a feast or fast day, originally kept by watching through the night.--_n._ VIG'ILANCE, wakefulness: watchfulness: circumspection: (_obs._) a guard, watch.--_adj._ VIG'ILANT, watchful: on the lookout for danger: circumspect.--_n._ VIGILAN'TE, a member of a vigilance committee.--_adv._ VIG'ILANTLY.--VIGILANCE COMMITTEE (_U.S._), an unauthorised body which, in the absence or inefficiency of regular courts, exercises legal powers of arrest, punishment, &c. in cases of gross crime: also any self-appointed association for the compulsory improvement of local morals. [Fr.,--L. _vigilia_--_vigil_, awake, watchful--_vig[=e]re_, to be lively.]

VIGNERON, v[=e]n-ye-rong, _n._ a vine-grower. [Fr.]

VIGNETTE, vin-yet', _n._ any small ornamental engraving, design, or photograph not enclosed by a definite border: (_orig._) an ornamental flourish of vine leaves and tendrils on manuscripts and books.--_v.t._ to treat or produce in such a style.--_ns._ VIGNETT'ER; VIGNETT'ING-GLASS, -P[=A]'PER, a glass frame, mask, used in printing vignette pictures; VIGNETT'IST, one who makes vignettes. [Fr.,--_vigne_--L. _vinea_, a vine.]

VIGOUR, vig'ur, _n._ active strength: physical force: vital strength in animals or plants: strength of mind: energy.--_adj._ VIG'OROUS, strong either in mind or body.--_adv._ VIG'OROUSLY.--_n._ VIG'OROUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. _vigor_--_vig[=e]re_, to be strong.]

VIKING, v[=i]'king, _n._ one of the piratical Northmen who in the 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries ravaged the coasts of western Europe.--_n._ V[=I]'KINGISM, characteristics, acts, &c. of VIKINGS. [Ice. _víkingr_, (lit.) 'a creeker'--_víkr_ (Swed. _vik_, Eng. _wick_), a bay, and _-ingr_=Eng. _-ing_.]

VILAYET, vil-a-yet', _n._ the name given to the great provinces into which the Ottoman empire is divided.

VILD, v[=i]ld, _adj._ (_Spens._) vile, wicked.--_adv._ VILD'LY.

VILE, v[=i]l, _adj._ worthless: mean: morally impure: wicked: (_B._) poor, cheap.--_adv._ VILE'LY.--_n._ VILE'NESS.--_ns._ VILIFIC[=A]'TION, act of vilifying: defamatory speech: abuse; VIL'IF[=I]ER.--_v.t._ VIL'IFY, to make vile: to attempt to degrade by slander: to defame:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ vil'if[=i]ed.--_v.t._ VIL'IPEND, to slander, vilify.--_v.i._ to use vilification. [Fr.,--L. _vilis_.]