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Webster 1913 Edition


Vestal

Ves′tal

,
Adj.
[L.
Vestalis
belonging to Vesta, vestal. See
Vesta
.]
Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.

Ves′tal

,
Noun.
[L.
Vestalis
(sc.
virgo
): cf. F.
vestale
. See
Vestal
,
Adj.
]
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.
☞ 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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Vestal

VEST'AL

,
Adj.
[L. vestalis, from Vesta, the goddess of fire, Gr.]
1.
Pertaining to Vesta, the goddess of fire among the Romans, and a virgin.
2.
Pure; chaste.

VEST'AL

,
Noun.
A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar. The Vestals were six in number, and they made a vow of perpetual virginity.

Definition 2024


vestal

vestal

English

Adjective

vestal (not comparable)

  1. Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth.
  2. Pure; chaste.

Translations

Noun

vestal (plural vestals)

  1. A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
  2. A female virgin; a woman who has never had sexual relations.
  3. A nun.

Translations

Anagrams