V (continued 3)

VENUST Ve*nust", a. Etym: [L. venustus, from Venus the goddess of love.]

Defn: Beautiful. [R.] E. Waterhouse.

VERACIOUS Ve*ra"cious, a. Etym: [L. verax, -acis, fr. verus true. See Very.]

1. Observant of truth; habitually speaking truth; truthful; as, veracious historian. The Spirit is most perfectly and absolutely veracious. Barrow.

2. Characterized by truth; not false; as, a veracious account or narrative. The young, ardent soul that enters on this world with heroic purpose, with veracious insight, will find it a mad one. Carlyle.

VERACIOUSLY Ve*ra"cious*ly, adv.

Defn: In a veracious manner.

VERACITY Ve*rac"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. véracité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being veracious; habitual observance of truth; truthfulness; truth; as, a man of veracity.

VERANDA Ve*ran"da, n. Etym: [A word brought by the English from India; of uncertain origin; cf. Skr. vara, Pg. varanda, Sp. baranda, Malay baranda.] (Arch.)

Defn: An open, roofed gallery or portico, adjoining a dwelling house, forming an out-of-door sitting room. See Loggia. The house was of adobe, low, with a wide veranda on the three sides of the inner court. Mrs. H. H. Jackson.

VERATRALBINE Ver`a*tral"bine, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A yellowish amorphous alkaloid extracted from the rootstock of Veratrum album.

VERATRATE Ve*ra"trate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of veratric acid.

VERATRIA Ve*ra"tri*a, n. Etym: [NL.] (Chem.)

Defn: Veratrine.

VERATRIC Ve*ra"tric, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, plants of the genus Veratrum. Veratric acid (Chem.), an acid occurring, together with veratrine, in the root of white hellebore (Veratrum album), and in sabadilla seed; — extracted as a white crystalline substance which is related to protocatechuic acid.

VERATRINA Ver`a*tri"na, n. Etym: [NL.] (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Veratrine.

VERATRINE Ve*ra"trine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vératrine. See Veratrum.] (Chem.)

Defn: A poisonous alkaloid obtained from the root hellebore (Veratrum) and from sabadilla seeds as a white crystalline powder, having an acrid, burning taste. It is sometimes used externally, as in ointments, in the local treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism. Called also veratria, and veratrina.

VERATROL Ve*ra"trol, n. Etym: [Veratric + ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A liquid hydrocarbon obtained by the decomposition of veratric acid, and constituting the dimethyl ether of pyrocatechin.

VERATRUM Ve*ra"trum, n. Etym: [L. veratrum hellebore.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of coarse liliaceous herbs having very poisonous qualities.

Note: Veratrum album of Europe, and Veratrum viride of America, are both called hellebore. They grow in wet land, have large, elliptical, plicate leaves in three vertical ranks, and bear panicles of greenish flowers.

VERB Verb, n. Etym: [F. verbe, L. verbum a word, verb. See Word.]

1. A word; a vocable. [Obs.] South.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: A word which affirms or predicates something of some person or thing; a part of speech expressing being, action, or the suffering of action.

Note: A verb is a word whereby the chief action of the mind [the assertion or the denial of a proposition] finds expression. Earle. Active verb, Auxiliary verb, Neuter verb, etc. See Active, Auxiliary, Neuter, etc.

VERBAL Ver"bal, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. verbalis. See Verb.]

1. Expressed in words, whether spoken or written, but commonly in spoken words; hence, spoken; oral; not written; as, a verbal contract; verbal testimony. Made she no verbal question Shak. We subjoin an engraving . . . which will give the reader a far better notion of the structure than any verbal description could convey to the mind. Mayhew.

2. Consisting in, or having to do with, words only; dealing with words rather than with the ideas intended to be conveyed; as, a verbal critic; a verbal change. And loses, though but verbal, his reward. Milton. Mere verbal refinements, instead of substantial knowledge. Whewell.

3. Having word answering to word; word for word; literal; as, a verbal translation.

4. Abounding with words; verbose. [Obs.] Shak.

5. (Gram.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a verb; as, a verbal group; derived directly from a verb; as, a verbal noun; used in forming verbs; as, a verbal prefix. Verbal inspiration. See under Inspiration. — Verbal noun (Gram.), a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem; a verbal. The term is specifically applied to infinitives, and nouns ending in -ing, esp. to the latter. See Gerund, and -ing, 2. See also, Infinitive mood, under Infinitive.

VERBAL Ver"bal, n. (Gram.)

Defn: A noun derived from a verb.

VERBALISM Ver"bal*ism, n.

Defn: Something expressed verbally; a verbal remark or expression.

VERBALIST Ver"bal*ist, n.

Defn: A literal adherent to, or a minute critic of, words; a literalist.

VERBALITY Ver*bal"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being verbal; mere words; bare literal expression. [R.] "More verbality than matter." Bp. Hall.

VERBALIZATION Ver`bal*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act of verbalizing, or the state of being verbalized.

VERBALIZE Ver"bal*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Verbalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Verbalizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. verbaliser.]

Defn: To convert into a verb; to verbify.

VERBALIZE Ver"bal*ize, v. i.

Defn: To be verbose.

VERBALLY Ver"bal*ly, adv.

1. In a verbal manner; orally.

2. Word for word; verbatim. Dryden.

VERBARIAN Ver*ba"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to words; verbal. [R.] Coleridge.

VERBARIAN Ver*ba"ri*an, n.

Defn: One who coins words. [R.] Southey gives himself free scope as a verbarian. Fitzed. Hall.

VERBARIUM Ver*ba"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. verbum word.]

Defn: A game in word making. See Logomachy, 2.

VERBATIM Ver*ba"tim, adv. Etym: [LL., fr. L. verbum word.]

Defn: Word for word; in the same words; verbally; as, to tell a story verbatim as another has related it. Verbatim et literatim Etym: [LL.], word for word, and letter for letter.

VERBENA Ver*be"na, n. Etym: [L. See Vervain.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of herbaceous plants of which several species are extensively cultivated for the great beauty of their flowers; vervain.

Note: Verbena, or vervain, was used by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Druids, in their sacred rites. Brewer. Essence of verbena, Oil of verbena, a perfume prepared from the lemon verbena; also, a similar perfume properly called grass oil. See Grass oil, under Grass. — Lemon, or Sweet, verbena, a shrubby verbenaceous plant (Lippia citriodora), with narrow leaves which exhale a pleasant, lemonlike fragrance when crushed.

VERBENACEOUS Ver`be*na"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order (Verbenaceæ) of gamopetalous plants of which Verbena is the type. The order includes also the black and white mangroves, and many plants noted for medicinal use or for beauty of bloom.

VERBENATE Ver"be*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Verbenated; p. pr. & vb. n. Verbenating.] Etym: [L. verbenatus crowned with a wreath of sacred boughs. See Verbena.]

Defn: To strew with verbena, or vervain, as in ancient sacrifices and rites.

VERBERATE Ver"ber*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. verberatus, p. p. of verberare to beat, from verber a lash, a whip.]

Defn: To beat; to strike. [Obs.] "The sound . . . rebounds again and verberates the skies." Mir. for Mag.

VERBERATION Ver`ber*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. verberatio: cf. F. verbération.]

1. The act of verberating; a beating or striking. Arbuthnot.

2. The impulse of a body; which causes sound. [R.]

VERBIAGE Ver"bi*age (; 48), n. Etym: [F. verbiage, from OF. verbe a word. See Verb.]

Defn: The use of many words without necessity, or with little sense; a superabundance of words; verbosity; wordiness. Verbiage may indicate observation, but not thinking. W. Irving. This barren verbiage current among men. Tennyson.

VERBIFY Ver"bi*fy, v. t. Etym: [Verb + -fy.]

Defn: To make into a verb; to use as a verb; to verbalize. [R.] Earle.

VERBIGERATE Ver*big"er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. -ated; p. pr. & vb. n. -ating.] [L. verbigerate, -atum, to talk.]

1. To talk; chat. [Obs.]

2. (Med.) To repeat a word or sentence, in speaking or writing, without wishing to do so or in spite of efforts to cease. — Ver*big`er*a"tion (#), n.

VERBOSE Ver*bose", a. Etym: [L. verbosus, from verbum a word. See Verb.]

Defn: Abounding in words; using or containing more words than are necessary; tedious by a multiplicity of words; prolix; wordy; as, a verbose speaker; a verbose argument. Too verbose in their way of speaking. Ayliffe. — Ver*bose"ly, adv. — Ver*bose"ness, n.

VERBOSITY Ver*bos"i*ty n.; pl. Verbosities. Etym: [L. verbositas: cf. F. verbosité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being verbose; the use of more words than are necessary; prolixity; wordiness; verbiage. The worst fault, by far, is the extreme diffuseness and verbosity of his style. Jeffrey.

VERD Verd, n. Etym: [See Vert, Verdant.]

1. (Eng. Forest Law) (a) The privilege of cutting green wood within a forest for fuel. (b) The right of pasturing animals in a forest. Burrill.

2. Greenness; freshness. [Obs.] Nares.

VERDANCY Ver"dan*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being verdant.

VERDANT Ver"dant, a. Etym: [F. verdoyant, p. pr. of verdoyer to be verdant, to grow green, OF. verdoier, verdeier, fr. verd, vert, green, fr. L. viridis green, fr. virere to be green: cf. OF. verdant verdant, L. viridans, p. pr. of viridare to make green. Cf. Farthingale, Verjuice, Vert.]

1. Covered with growing plants or grass; green; fresh; flourishing; as, verdant fields; a verdant lawn. Let the earth Put forth the verdant grass. Milton.

2. Unripe in knowledge or judgment; unsophisticated; raw; green; as, a verdant youth. [Colloq.]

VERD ANTIQUE Verd` an*tique". Etym: [F. vert antique a kind of marble; verd, vert, green + antique ancient: cf. It. verde antico.] (Min.) (a) A mottled-green serpentine marble. (b) A green porphyry called oriental verd antique.

VERDANTLY Ver"dant*ly, adv.

Defn: In a verdant manner.

VERDERER; VERDEROR Ver"der*er, Ver"der*or, n. Etym: [F. verdier, LL. viridarius, fr. L. viridis green.] (Eng. Forest Law)

Defn: An officer who has the charge of the king's forest, to preserve the vert and venison, keep the assizes, view, receive, and enroll attachments and presentments of all manner of trespasses. Blackstone.

VERDICT Ver"dict, n. Etym: [OE. verdit, OF. verdit, veirdit, LL. verdictum, veredictum; L. vere truly (fr. verus true) + dictum a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say. See Very, and Dictum.]

1. (Law)

Defn: The answer of a jury given to the court concerning any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal, committed to their examination and determination; the finding or decision of a jury on the matter legally submitted to them in the course of the trial of a cause.

Note: The decision of a judge or referee, upon an issue of fact, is not called a verdict, but a finding, or a finding of fact. Abbott.

2. Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be condemned by the verdict of the public. These were enormities condemned by the most natural verdict of common humanity. South. Two generations have since confirmed the verdict which was pronounced on that night. Macaulay.

VERDIGRIS Ver"di*gris, n. Etym: [F. vert-de-gris, apparently from verd, vert, green + de of + gris gray, but really a corruption of LL. viride aeris (equivalent to L. aerugo), from L. viridis green + aes, aeris, brass. See Verdant, and 2d Ore.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: A green poisonous substance used as a pigment and drug, obtained by the action of acetic acid on copper, and consisting essentially of a complex mixture of several basic copper acetates.

2. The green rust formed on copper. [Colloq.]

Note: This rust is a carbonate of copper, and should not be confounded with true verdigris. U. S. Disp. Blue verdigris (Chem.), a verdigris having a blue color, used a pigment, etc. — Distilled verdigris (Old Chem.), an acid copper acetate; — so called because the acetic acid used in making it was obtained from distilled vinegar. — Verdigris green, clear bluish green, the color of verdigris.

VERDIGRIS Ver"di*gris, v. t.

Defn: To cover, or coat, with verdigris. [R.] "An old verdigrised brass bugle." Hawthorne.

VERDIN Ver"din, n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. verdino bright green, F. verdin the yellow-hammer.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small yellow-headed bird (Auriparus flaviceps) of Lower California, allied to the titmice; — called also goldtit.

VERDINE Ver"dine, n. Etym: [F. verd, vert, green.] (Chem.)

Defn: A commercial name for green aniline dye.

VERDINGALE Ver"din*gale, n.

Defn: See Farthingale. [Spelled also verdingall.] [Obs.]

VERDIT Ver"dit, n.

Defn: Verdict. Chaucer.

VERDITER Ver"di*ter, n. Etym: [F. vert-de-terre, literally, green of earth.] (Chem.) (a) Verdigris. [Obs.] (b) Either one of two pigments (called blue verditer, and green verditer) which are made by treating copper nitrate with calcium carbonate (in the form of lime, whiting, chalk, etc.) They consist of hydrated copper carbonates analogous to the minerals azurite and malachite. Verditer blue, a pale greenish blue color, like that of the pigment verditer.

VERDITURE Ver"di*ture, n. Etym: [Cf. Verditer.]

Defn: The faintest and palest green.

VERDOY Ver"doy, a. Etym: [F. verdoyer to become green. See Verdant.] (Her.)

Defn: Charged with leaves, fruits, flowers, etc.; — said of a border.

VERDURE Ver"dure, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. viridis green. See Verdant.]

Defn: Green; greenness; freshness of vegetation; as, the verdure of the meadows in June. A wide expanse of living verdure, cultivated gardens, shady groves, fertile cornfields, flowed round it like a sea. Motley.

VERDURED Ver"dured, a.

Defn: Covered with verdure. Poe.

VERDURELESS Ver"dure*less, a.

Defn: Destitute of verdure.

VERDUROUS Ver"dur*ous, a.

Defn: Covered with verdure; clothed with the fresh green of vegetation; verdured; verdant; as, verdurous pastures. Milton.

VERECUND Ver"e*cund, a. Etym: [L. verecundus, fr. vereri to feel awe.]

Defn: Rashful; modest. [Obs.]

VERECUNDIOUS Ver`e*cun"di*ous, a.

Defn: Verecund. [Obs.] "Verecundious generosity." Sir H. Wotton.

VERECUNDITY Ver`e*cun"di*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being verecund; modesty. [Obs.]

VEREIN Ver*ein", n. [G.]

Defn: A union, association, or society; — used in names of German organizations.

VERETILLUM Ver`e*til"lum, n. Etym: [L., dim. of veretrum the private parts.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of club-shaped, compound Alcyonaria belonging to Veretillum and allied genera, of the tribe Pennatulacea. The whole colony can move about as if it were a simple animal.

VERGALIEN; VERGALOO Ver"ga*lien, Ver"ga*loo, n. Etym: [Cf. Virgouleuse.] (Bot.)

Defn: See Virgalieu.

VERGE Verge, n. Etym: [F. verge, L. virga; perhaps akin to E. wisp.]

1. A rod or staff, carried as an emblem of authority; as, the verge, carried before a dean.

2. The stick or wand with which persons were formerly admitted tenants, they holding it in the hand, and swearing fealty to the lord. Such tenants were called tenants by the verge. [Eng.]

3. (Eng. Law)

Defn: The compass of the court of Marshalsea and the Palace court, within which the lord steward and the marshal of the king's household had special jurisdiction; — so called from the verge, or staff, which the marshal bore.

4. A virgate; a yardland. [Obs.]

5. A border, limit, or boundary of a space; an edge, margin, or brink of something definite in extent. Even though we go to the extreme verge of possibility to invent a supposition favorable to it, the theory . . . implies an absurdity. J. S. Mill. But on the horizon's verge descried, Hangs, touched with light, one snowy sail. M. Arnold.

6. A circumference; a circle; a ring. The inclusive verge Of golden metal that must round my brow. Shak.

7. (Arch.) (a) The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft. Oxf. Gloss. (b) The edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a roof. Encyc. Brit.

8. (Horol.)

Defn: The spindle of a watch balance, especially one with pallets, as in the old vertical escapement. See under Escapement.

9. (Hort.) (a) The edge or outside of a bed or border. (b) A slip of grass adjoining gravel walks, and dividing them from the borders in a parterre.

10. The penis.

11. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The external male organ of certain mollusks, worms, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.

Syn. — Border; edge; rim; brim; margin; brink.

VERGE Verge, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Verged; p. pr. & vb. n. Verging.] Etym: [L. vergere to bend, turn, incline; cf. Skr. v to turn.]

1. To border upon; to tend; to incline; to come near; to approach.

2. To tend downward; to bend; to slope; as, a hill verges to the north. Our soul, from original instinct, vergeth towards him as its center. Barrow. I find myself verging to that period of life which is to be labor and sorrow. Swift.

VERGEBOARD Verge"board`, n. Etym: [Verge + board. Cf. Bargeboard.] (Arch.)

Defn: The ornament of woodwork upon the gable of a house, used extensively in the 15th century. It was generally suspended from the edge of the projecting roof (see Verge, n., 4), and in position parallel to the gable wall. Called also bargeboard.

VERGENCY Ver"gen*cy, n.

1. The act of verging or approaching; tendency; approach. [R.]

2. (Opt.)

Defn: The reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens, used as measure of the divergence or convergence of a pencil of rays. [R.] Humphrey Lloyd.

VERGER Ver"ger, n. Etym: [F. verger, from verge a rod. See 1st Verge.]

Defn: One who carries a verge, or emblem of office. Specifically: — (a) An attendant upon a dignitary, as on a bishop, a dean, a justice, etc. [Eng.] Strype. (b) The official who takes care of the interior of a church building.

VERGER Ver"ger, n.

Defn: A garden or orchard. [Obs.]

VERGETTE Ver`get`té", a. Etym: [Cf. F. vergeté.]

Defn: Divided by pallets, or pales; paly. W. Berry.

VERGETTE Ver*gette", n. (Her.)

Defn: A small pale.

VERIDICAL Ve*rid"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. veridicus; verus true + dicere to say, tell.]

Defn: Truth-telling; truthful; veracious. [R.] Carlyle.

VERIFIABLE Ver"i*fi`a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being verified; confirmable. Bp. Hall.

VERIFICATION Ver`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vérification.]

1. The act of verifying, or the state of being verified; confirmation; authentication.

2. (Law) (a) Confirmation by evidence. (b) A formal phrase used in concluding a plea. Verification of an equation (Math.), the operation of testing the equation of a problem, to see whether it expresses truly the conditions of the problem. Davies & Peck. (Math. Dict.)

VERIFICATIVE Ver"i*fi*ca*tive, a.

Defn: Serving to verify; verifying; authenciating; confirming.

VERIFIER Ver"i*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, verifies.

VERIFY Ver"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Verified; p. pr. & vb. n. Verifying.] Etym: [F. vérifier, LL. verificare, from L. verus true + -ficare to make. See Very, and -fy.]

1. To prove to be true or correct; to establish the truth of; to confirm; to substantiate. This is verified by a number of examples. Bacon. So shalt thou best fulfill, best verify. The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign. Milton.

2. To confirm or establish the authenticity of by examination or competent evidence; to authenciate; as, to verify a written statement; to verify an account, a pleading, or the like. To verify our title with their lives. Shak.

3. To maintain; to affirm; to support. [Obs.] Shak.

VERILOQUENT Ve*ril"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. verus true + speaking.]

Defn: Speaking truth; truthful. [Obs.]

VERILY Ver"i*ly, adv. Etym: [From Very.]

Defn: In very truth; beyond doubt or question; in fact; certainly. Bacon. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the verily thou shalt be fed. Ps. xxxvii. 3.

VERINE Ver"ine, n. Etym: [Contr. from veratrine.] (Chem.)

Defn: An alkaloid obtained as a yellow amorphous substance by the decomposition of veratrine.

VERISIMILAR Ver`i*sim"i*lar, a. Etym: [L. verisimilis; verus true + similis like, similar. See Very, and Similar.]

Defn: Having the appearance of truth; probable; likely. "How verisimilar it looks." Carlyle.

VERISIMILITUDE Ver`i*si*mil"i*tude, n. Etym: [L. verisimilitudo: cf. OF. verisimilitude. See Verisimilar.]

Defn: The quality or state of being verisimilar; the appearance of truth; probability; likelihood. Verisimilitude and opinion are an easy purchase; but true knowledge is dear and difficult. Glanvill. All that gives verisimilitude to a narrative. Sir. W. Scott.

VERISIMILITY Ver`i*si*mil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Verisimilitude. [Obs.] The verisimility or probable truth. Sir T. Browne.

VERISIMILOUS Ver`i*sim"i*lous, a.

Defn: Verisimilar. [Obs.]

VERITABLE Ver"i*ta*ble, a. Etym: [F. véritable. See Verity.]

Defn: Agreeable to truth or to fact; actual; real; true; genuine. "The veritable Deity." Sir W. Hamilton. — Ver"i*ta*bly, adv.

VERITAS Ver"i*tas, n. Etym: [Cf. F. véritas. See Verity.]

Defn: The Bureau Veritas. See under Bureau.

VERITY Ver"i*ty, n.; pl. Verities. Etym: [F. vérité, L. veritas, fr. verus true. See Very.]

1. The quality or state of being true, or real; consonance of a statement, proposition, or other thing, with fact; truth; reality. "The verity of certain words." Shak. It is a proposition of eternal verity, that none can govern while he is despised. South.

2. That which is true; a true assertion or tenet; a truth; a reality. Mark what I say, which you shall find By every syllable a faithful verity. Shak.

VERJUICE Ver"juice`, n. Etym: [OE. vergeous, F. verjus, that is, the juice of green fruits; verd, vert, green + jus juice. See Verdant, and Juice.]

1. The sour juice of crab apples, of green or unripe grapes, apples, etc.; also, an acid liquor made from such juice.

2. Tartness; sourness, as of disposition.

VERMEIL Ver"meil, n. Etym: [F., vermilion, fr. LL. vermiculus, fr. L. vermiculus a little worm, the coccus Indicus, from vermis a worm. See Worm, and cf. Vermicule.]

1. Vermilion; also, the color of vermilion, a bright, beautiful red. [Poetic & R.] In her cheeks the vermeil red did show Like roses in a bed of lilies shed. Spenser.

2. Silver gilt or gilt bronze.

3. A liquid composition applied to a gilded surface to give luster to the gold. Knight.

VERMEOLOGIST Ver`me*ol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One who treats of vermes, or worms; a helminthologist.

VERMEOLOGY Ver`me*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [L. vermes worms + -logy.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A discourse or treatise on worms; that part of zoölogy which treats of worms; helminthology. [R.]

VERMES Ver"mes, n. pl. Etym: [L. vermes, pl. of vermis a worm.] (Zoöl.) (a) An extensive artificial division of the animal kingdom, including the parasitic worms, or helminths, together with the nemerteans, annelids, and allied groups. By some writers the branchiopods, the bryzoans, and the tunicates are also included. The name was used in a still wider sense by Linnæus and his followers. (b) A more restricted group, comprising only the helminths and closely allied orders.

VERMETID Ver"me*tid, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of vermetus.

VERMETUS Ver*me"tus, n. Etym: [NL., from L. vermis worm.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of many species of marine gastropods belonging to Vermetus and allied genera, of the family Vermetidæ. Their shells are regularly spiral when young, but later in life the whorls become separate, and the shell is often irregularly bent and contorted like a worm tube.

VERMICELLI Ver`mi*cel"li, n. Etym: [It., pl. of vermicello, literally, a little worm, dim. of verme a worm, L. vermis. See Worm, and cf. Vermicule, Vermeil.]

Defn: The flour of a hard and small-grained wheat made into dough, and forced through small cylinders or pipes till it takes a slender, wormlike form, whence the Italian name. When the paste is made in larger tubes, it is called macaroni.

VERMICIDE Ver"mi*cide, n. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + caedere to kill.]

Defn: A medicine which destroys intestinal worms; a worm killer. Pereira.

VERMICIOUS Ver*mi"cious, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to worms; wormy.

VERMICULAR Ver*mic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. vermiculus a little worm, dim. of vermis a worm: cf. F. vermiculaire. See Vermicelli.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a worm or worms; resembling a worm; shaped like a worm; especially, resembling the motion or track of a worm; as, the vermicular, or peristaltic, motion of the intestines. See Peristaltic. "A twisted form vermicular." Cowper.

VERMICULATE Ver*mic"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vermiculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Vermiculating.] Etym: [L. vermiculatus inlaid so as to resemble the tracks of worms, p. p. of vermiculari to be full of worms, vermiculus a little worm. See Vermicular.]

Defn: To form or work, as by inlaying, with irregular lines or impressions resembling the tracks of worms, or appearing as if formed by the motion of worms.

VERMICULATE Ver*mic"u*late, a.

1. Wormlike in shape; covered with wormlike elevations; marked with irregular fine lines of color, or with irregular wavy impressed lines like worm tracks; as, a vermiculate nut.

2. Crawling or creeping like a worm; hence, insinuating; sophistical. "Vermiculate questions." Bacon. "Vermiculate logic." R. Choate.

VERMICULATED Ver*mic"u*la`ted, a.

Defn: Made or marked with irregular wavy lines or impressions; vermiculate. Vermiculated work, or Vermicular work (Arch.), rustic work so wrought as to have the appearance of convoluted worms, or of having been eaten into by, or covered with tracks of, worms. Gwilt.

VERMICULATION Ver*mic`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vermiculatio a being worm-eaten.]

1. The act or operation of moving in the manner of a worm; continuation of motion from one part to another; as, the vermiculation, or peristaltic motion, of the intestines.

2. The act of vermiculating, or forming or inlaying so as to resemble the motion, track, or work of a worm.

3. Penetration by worms; the state of being wormeaten.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A very fine wavy crosswise color marking, or a patch of such markings, as on the feathers of birds.

VERMICULE Ver"mi*cule, n. Etym: [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis a worm. See Vermicular.]

Defn: A small worm or insect larva; also, a wormlike body. [R.] Derham.

VERMICULITE Ver*mic"u*lite, n. Etym: [L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis worm.] (Min.)

Defn: A group of minerals having, a micaceous structure. They are hydrous silicates, derived generally from the alteration of some kind of mica. So called because the scales, when heated, open out into wormlike forms.

VERMICULOSE; VERMICULOUS Ver*mic"u*lose`, Ver*mic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. vermiculosus. See Vermicule.]

Defn: Containing, or full of, worms; resembling worms.

VERMIFORM Ver"mi*form, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + -form.]

Defn: Resembling a worm in form or motions; vermicular; as, the vermiform process of the cerebellum. Vermiform appendix (Anat.), a slender blind process of the cæcum in man and some other animals; — called also vermiform appendage, and vermiform process. Small solid bodies, such as grape seeds or cherry stones, sometimes lodge in it, causing serious, or even fatal, inflammation. See Illust. under Digestion.

VERMIFORMIA Ver`mi*for"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tribe of worms including Phoronis. See Phoronis.

VERMIFUGAL Ver*mif"u*gal, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + fugare to drive away, fr. fugere to flee. See Worm, and Fugitive.] (Med.)

Defn: Tending to prevent, destroy, or expel, worms or vermin; anthelmintic.

VERMIFUGE Ver"mi*fuge, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vermifuge. See Vermifugal.] (Med.)

Defn: A medicine or substance that expels worms from animal bodies; an anthelmintic.

VERMIL Ver"mil, n.

Defn: See Vermeil. [Obs.] Spenser.

VERMILINGUIA Ver`mi*lin"gui*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vermis worm + lingua tongue.] [Called also Vermilingues.] (Zoöl.) (a) A tribe of edentates comprising the South American ant-eaters. The tongue is long, slender, exsertile, and very flexible, whence the name. (b) A tribe of Old World lizards which comprises the chameleon. They have long, flexible tongues.

VERMILION Ver*mil"ion, n. Etym: [F. vermillon. See Vermeil.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.

Note: The kermes insect has long been used for dyeing red or scarlet. It was formerly known as the worm dye, vermiculus, or vermiculum, and the cloth was called vermiculatia. Hence came the French vermeil for any red dye, and hence the modern name vermilion, although the substance it denotes is very different from the kermes, being a compound of mercury and sulphur. R. Hunt.

2. Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.

VERMILION Ver*mil"ion, v. t.

Defn: To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red; to cover with a delicate red.

VERMILY Ver"mi*ly, n.

Defn: Vermeil. [Obs.] Spenser.

VERMIN Ver"min, n. sing. & pl.; used chiefly as plural. Etym: [OE. vermine, F. vermine, from L. vermis a worm; cf. LL. vermen a worm, L. verminosus full of worms. See Vermicular, Worm.]

1. An animal, in general. [Obs.] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and vermin, and worms, and fowls. Acts x. 12. (Geneva Bible). This crocodile is a mischievous fourfooted beast, a dangerous vermin, used to both elements. Holland.

2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels, rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. "Cruel hounds or some foul vermin." Chaucer. Great injuries these vermin, mice and rats, do in the field. Mortimer. They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the forest . . . is before them. Burke.

3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings. You are my prisoners, base vermin. Hudibras.

VERMINATE Ver"mi*nate, v. i. Etym: [L. verminare to have worms, fr. vermis a worm.]

Defn: To breed vermin.

VERMINATION Ver`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. verminatio the worms, a disease of animals, a crawling, itching pain.]

1. The generation or breeding of vermin. Derham.

2. A griping of the bowels.

VERMINLY Ver"min*ly, a. & adv.

Defn: Resembling vermin; in the manner of vermin. [Obs.] Gauden.

VERMINOUS Ver"min*ous, a. Etym: [L. verminosus, fr. vermis a worm: cf. F. vermineux.]

1. Tending to breed vermin; infested by vermin. Some . . . verminous disposition of the body. Harvey.

2. Caused by, or arising from the presence of, vermin; as, verminous disease.

VERMINOUSLY Ver"min*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a verminous manner.

VERMIPAROUS Ver*mip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + parere to bring forth.]

Defn: Producing or breeding worms. "Vermiparous animals." Sir T. Browne.

VERMIVOROUS Ver*miv"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. vermis a worm + vorare to devour: cf. F. vermivore.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Devouring worms; feeding on worms; as, vermivorous birds.

VERMUTH Ver"muth, n. Etym: [F. vermout.]

Defn: A liqueur made of white wine, absinthe, and various aromatic drugs, used to excite the appetite. [Written also vermouth.]

VERNACLE Ver"na*cle, n.

Defn: See Veronica, 1. [Obs.]

VERNACULAR Ver*nac"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. vernaculus born in one's house, native, fr. verna a slave born in his master's house, a native, probably akin to Skr. vas to dwell, E. was.]

Defn: Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature; native; indigenous; — now used chiefly of language; as, English is our vernacular language. "A vernacular disease." Harvey. His skill the vernacular dialect of the Celtic tongue. Fuller. Which in our vernacular idiom may be thus interpreted. Pope.

VERNACULAR Ver*nac"u*lar, n.

Defn: The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the common forms of expression in a particular locality.

VERNACULARISM Ver*nac"u*lar*ism, n.

Defn: A vernacular idiom.

VERNACULARIZATION Ver*nac"u*lar*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of making vernacular, or the state of being made vernacular. Fitzed. Hall.

VERNACULARLY Ver*nac"u*lar*ly, adv.

Defn: In a vernacular manner; in the vernacular. Earle.

VERNACULOUS Ver*nac"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. vernaculus. See Vernacular.]

1. Vernacular. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Etym: [L. vernaculi, pl., buffoons, jesters.]

Defn: Scoffing; scurrilous. [A Latinism. Obs.] "Subject to the petulancy of every vernaculous orator." B. Jonson.

VERNAGE Ver"nage, n. Etym: [It. vernaccia.]

Defn: A kind of sweet wine from Italy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

VERNAL Ver"nal, a. Etym: [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. vasanta, Icel. var, and E. Easter, east.]

1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom.

2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life. When after the long vernal day of life. Thomson. And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show Keble.

Vernal equinox (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward. — Vernal grass (Bot.), a low, soft grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; — also called sweet vernal grass. See Illust. in Appendix. — Vernal signs (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.

VERNANT Ver"nant, a. Etym: [L. vernans, p. pr. vernare to flourish, from ver spring.]

Defn: Flourishing, as in spring; vernal. [Obs.] "Vernant flowers." Milton.

VERNATE Ver"nate, v. i. Etym: [See Vernant.]

Defn: To become young again. [Obs.]

VERNATION Ver*na"tion, n. Etym: [F. vernation: cf. L. vernatio the sloughing of the skin of snakes.] (Bot.)

Defn: The arrangement of the leaves within the leaf bud, as regards their folding, coiling, rolling, etc.; prefoliation.

VERNER'S LAW Ver"ner's law. (Philol.)

Defn: A statement, propounded by the Danish philologist Karl Verner in 1875, which explains certain apparent exceptions to Grimm's law by the original position of the accent. Primitive Indo-European k, t, p, became first in Teutonic h, th, f, and appear without further change in old Teutonic, if the accent rested on the preceding syllable; but these sounds became voiced and produced g, d, b, if the accent was originally on a different syllable. Similarly s either remained unchanged, or it became z and later r. Example: Skt. sapta (accent on ultima), Gr. 'e`pta, Gothic sibun (seven). Examples in English are dead by the side of death, to rise and to rear.

VERNICLE Ver"ni*cle, n.

Defn: A Veronica. See Veronica, 1. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. A vernicle had he sowed upon his cap. Chaucer.

VERNICOSE Ver"ni*cose`, a. Etym: [See Varnish.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having a brilliantly polished surface, as some leaves.

VERNIER Ver"ni*er, n. Etym: [So named after the inventor, Pierre Vernier.]

Defn: A short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument, as the limb of a sextant, or the scale of a barometer, for indicating parts of divisions. It is so graduated that a certain convenient number of its divisions are just equal to a certain number, either one less or one more, of the divisions of the instrument, so that parts of a division are determined by observing what line on the vernier coincides with a line on the instrument. Vernier calipers, Vernier gauge, a gauge with a graduated bar and a sliding jaw bearing a vernier, used for accurate measurements. — Vernier compass, a surveyor's compass with a vernier for the accurate adjustment of the zero point in accordance with magnetic variation. — Vernier transit, a surveyor's transit instrument with a vernier compass.

VERNILE Ver"nile, a. Etym: [L. vernilis servile. See Vernacular.]

Defn: Suiting a salve; servile; obsequious. [R.] The example . . . of vernile scurrility. De Quincey.

VERNILITY Ver*nil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. vernilitas.]

Defn: Fawning or obsequious behavior; servility. [R.] Bailey.

VERNINE Ver"nine, n. Etym: [Vernal + -ine.] (Chem.)

Defn: An alkaloid extracted from the shoots of the vetch, red clover, etc., as a white crystalline substance.

VERNISH Ver"nish, n. & v.

Defn: Varnish. [Obs.] Chaucer.

VERNONIN Ver"no*nin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A glucoside extracted from the root of a South African plant of the genus Vernonia, as a deliquescent powder, and used as a mild heart tonic.

VERONESE Ver`o*nese", a. Etym: [It. Veronese.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Verona, in Italy. — n. sing. & pl.

Defn: A native of Verona; collectively, the people of Verona.

VERONICA Ve*ron"i*ca, n. Etym: [LL.; — so called from Veronica, a woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr.

1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly called also Vernacle, and Vernicle.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell. See Speedwell.

Note: Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes found in cultivation.

VERRAY Ver"ray, a.

Defn: Very; true. [Obs.] Chaucer.

VERRAYMENT Ver"ray*ment, adv. Etym: [OF. veraiement. See Very.]

Defn: Verily; truly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

VERREL Ver"rel, n.

Defn: See Ferrule. [Obs.]

VERRICULATE Ver*ric"u*late, a. Etym: [L. verriculum a net, seine.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having thickset tufts of parallel hairs, bristles, or branches.

VERRUCA Ver*ru"ca, n.; pl. Verrucæ (#). [L. Cf. Verrugas.]

1. (Med.) A wart.

2. (Zoöl.) A wartlike elevation or roughness.

VERRUCIFORM Ver*ru"ci*form, a. Etym: [L. verruca wart + -form.]

Defn: Shaped like a wart or warts.

VERRUCOSE Ver"ru*cose`, a. Etym: [L. verrucosus, fr. verruca a wart.]

Defn: Covered with wartlike elevations; tuberculate; warty; verrucous; as, a verrucose capsule.

VERRUCOUS Ver"ru*cous, a.

Defn: Verrucose.

VERRUCULOSE Ver*ru"cu*lose`, a. Etym: [L. verrucula, dim. of verruca a wart.]

Defn: Minutely verrucose; as, a verruculose leaf or stalk.

VERRUGAS Ver*ru"gas, n. [Sp., warts. Cf. Verruca.] (Med.)

Defn: An endemic disease occurring in the Andes in Peru, characterized by warty tumors which ulcerate and bleed. It is probably due to a special bacillus, and is often fatal.

VERS Vers, n. sing. & pl.

Defn: A verse or verses. See Verse. [Obs.] "Ten vers or twelve." Chaucer.

VERSABILITY Ver`sa*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being versable. [R.] Sterne

VERSABLE Ver"sa*ble, a. Etym: [L. versabilis: cf. F. versable. See Versatile.]

Defn: Capable of being turned. [R.]

VERSABLENESS Ver"sa*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Versability. [R.]

VERSAL Ver"sal, a.

Defn: Universal. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak.

VERSANT Ver"sant, a. Etym: [L. versans, p. pr. versare to turn abound frequently, to turn over in the mind, to meditate. See Versatile.]

Defn: Familiar; conversant. [R.] Men not versant with courts of justice. Sydney Smith.

VERSANT Ver"sant, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: The slope of a side of a mountain chain; hence, the general slope of a country; aspect.

VERSATILE Ver"sa*tile, a. Etym: [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.]

1. Capable of being turned round. Harte.

2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition.

3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. Macaulay.

4. (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird. — Ver"sa*tile*ly, adv. — — Ver"sa*tile*ness, n.

VERSATILITY Ver`sa*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. versatilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being versatile; versatileness.

VERS DE SOCIETE Vers` de so`cié`té". Etym: [F.]

Defn: See Society verses, under Society.

VERSE Verse, n. Etym: [OE. vers, AS. fers, L. versus a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere, versum, to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers. See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise, Averse, Controversy, Convert, Divers, Invert, Obverse, Prose, Suzerain, Vortex.]

1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot, n., 9) disposed according to metrical rules.

Note: Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter, pentameter, tetrameter, etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine. Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe.

2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry. Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse. Milton. Virtue was taught in verse. Prior. Verse embalms virtue. Donne.

3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: — (a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses.

Note: Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line. (b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.

Note: The author of the division of the Old Testament into verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne], a French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551. (c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.

4. A piece of poetry. "This verse be thine." Pope. Blank verse, poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes. — Heroic verse. See under Heroic.

VERSE Verse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Versed; p. pr. & vb. n. Versing.]

Defn: To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.] Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. Shak.

VERSE Verse, v. i.

Defn: To make verses; to versify. [Obs.] It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. Sir P. Sidney.

VERSED Versed, a. Etym: [Cf. F. versé, L. versatus, p. p. of versari to turn about frequently, to turn over, to be engaged in a thing, passive of versare. See Versant, a.]

Defn: Acquainted or familiar, as the result of experience, study, practice, etc.; skilled; practiced. Deep versed in books and shallow in himself. Milton. Opinions . . . derived from studying the Scriptures, wherein he was versed beyond any person of his age. Southey. These men were versed in the details of business. Macaulay.

VERSED Versed, a. Etym: [L. versus turned, p. p. vertere. See 1st Versed.] (Math.)

Defn: Turned. Versed sine. See under Sine, and Illust. of Functions.

VERSEMAN Verse"man, n.

Defn: Same as Versemonger. Prior.

VERSEMONGER Verse"mon`ger, n.

Defn: A writer of verses; especially, a writer of commonplace poetry; a poetaster; a rhymer; — used humorously or in contempt.

VERSER Vers"er, n.

Defn: A versifier. B. Jonson.

VERSET Vers"et, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A verse. [Obs.] Milton.

VERSICLE Ver"si*cle, n. Etym: [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See Verse.]

Defn: A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people. The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. Strype.

VERSICOLOR; VERSICOLORED Ver"si*col`or, Ver"si*col`ored, a. Etym: [L. versicolor; versare to change + color color.]

Defn: Having various colors; changeable in color. "Versicolor, sweet- smelling flowers." Burton.

VERSICULAR Ver*sic"u*lar, a. Etym: [See Versicle.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to verses; designating distinct divisions of a writing.

VERSIFICATION Ver`si*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. versificatio: cf. F. versification.]

Defn: The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.

VERSIFICATOR Ver"si*fi*ca`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A versifier. [R.] "The best versificator next Virgil." Dryden.

VERSIFIER Ver"si*fi`er, n.

1. One who versifies, or makes verses; as, not every versifier is a poet. Dryden.

2. One who converts into verse; one who expresses in verse the ideas of another written in prose; as, Dr. Watts was a versifier of the Psalms.

VERSIFY Ver"si*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Versified; p. pr. & vb. n. Versifying.] Etym: [OE. versifien, F. versifier, L. versificare; versus a verse + -ficare to make. See Verse, and -fy.]

Defn: To make verses. I'll versify in spite, and do my best. Dryden.

VERSIFY Ver"si*fy, v. t.

1. To relate or describe in verse; to compose in verse. I'll versify the truth, not poetize. Daniel.

2. To turn into verse; to render into metrical form; as, to versify the Psalms. Chaucer.

VERSION Ver"sion, n. Etym: [F., from L. vertere, versum, to turn, to change, to translate. See Verse.]

1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation; conversion; turning. The version of air into water. Bacon.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of the uterus in which its axis is deflected from its normal position without being bent upon itself. See Anteversion, and Retroversion.

3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language into another language.

4. A translation; that which is rendered from another language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the Scriptures (see under Authorized); the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament.

5. An account or description from a particular point of view, especially as contrasted with another account; as, he gave another version of the affair.

VERSIONIST Ver"sion*ist, n.

Defn: One who makes or favors a version; a translator. [R.]

VERSO Ver"so, n. Etym: [L. versus, p. p. of vertere to turn: cf. F. verso.] (Print.)

Defn: The reverse, or left-hand, page of a book or a folded sheet of paper; — opposed to recto.

VERSOR Ver"sor, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vertere, versus, to turn. See Version.] (Geom.)

Defn: The turning factor of a quaternion.

Note: The change of one vector into another is considered in quaternions as made up of two operations; 1st, the rotation of the first vector so that it shall be parallel to the second; 2d, the change of length so that the first vector shall be equal to the second. That which expresses in amount and kind the first operation is a versor, and is denoted geometrically by a line at right angles to the plane in which the rotation takes place, the length of this line being proportioned to the amount of rotation. That which expresses the second operation is a tensor. The product of the versor and tensor expresses the total operation, and is called a quaternion. See Quaternion. Quadrantal versor. See under Quadrantal.

VERST Verst, n. Etym: [Russ. versta: cf. F. verste.]

Defn: A Russian measure of length containing 3,500 English feet. [Written also werst.]

VERSUAL Ver"su*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a verse.

VERSUS Ver"sus, prep. Etym: [L., toward, turned in the direction of, from vertere, versum, to turn. See Verse.]

Defn: Against; as, John Doe versus Richard Roe; — chiefly used in legal language, and abbreviated to v. or vs.

VERSUTE Ver*sute", a. Etym: [L. versutus, fr. vertere, versum, to turn.]

Defn: Crafty; wily; cunning; artful. [R.]

VERT Vert, n. Etym: [F., green, from L. viridis. See Verdant, and cf. Verd.]

1. (Eng. Forest Law) (a) Everything that grows, and bears a green leaf, within the forest; as, to preserve vert and venison is the duty of the verderer. (b) The right or privilege of cutting growing wood.

2. (Her.)

Defn: The color green, represented in a drawing or engraving by parallel lines sloping downward toward the right.

VERTEBER Ver"te*ber, n.

Defn: A vertebra. [Obs.]

VERTEBRA Ver"te*bra, n.; pl. Vertebræ. Etym: [L. vertebra, fr. vertere to turn, change. See Verse.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: One of the serial segments of the spinal column.

Note: In many fishes the vertebræ are simple cartilaginous disks or short cylinders, but in the higher vertebrates they are composed of many parts, and the vertebræ in different portions of the same column vary very greatly. A well-developed vertebra usually consists of a more or less cylindrical and solid body, or centrum, which is surmounted dorsally by an arch, leaving an opening which forms a part of the canal containing the spinal cord. From this dorsal, or neural, arch spring various processes, or apophyses, which have received special names: a dorsal, or neural, spine, spinous process, or neurapophysis, on the middle of the arch; two anterior and two posterior articular processes, or zygapophyses; and one or two transverse processes on each side. In those vertebræ which bear well- developed ribs, a tubercle near the end of the rib articulates at a tubercular facet on the transverse process (diapophysis), while the end, or head, of the rib articulates at a more ventral capitular facet which is sometimes developed into a second, or ventral, transverse process (parapophysis). In vertebrates with well-developed hind limbs, the spinal column is divided into five regions in each of which the vertebræ are specially designated: those vertebræ in front of, or anterior to, the first vertebra which bears ribs connected with the sternum are cervical; all those which bear ribs and are back of the cervicals are dorsal; the one or more directly supporting the pelvis are sacral and form the sacrum; those between the sacral and dorsal are lumbar; and all those back of the sacral are caudal, or coccygeal. In man there are seven cervical vertebræ, twelve dorsal, five lumbar, five sacral, and usually four, but sometimes five and rarely three, coccygeal.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the central ossicles in each joint of the arms of an ophiuran.

VERTEBRAL Ver"te*bral, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vertébral.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a vertebræ, or the vertebral column; spinal; rachidian.

2. Vertebrate.

VERTEBRAL Ver"te*bral, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A vertebrate. [R.]

VERTEBRALLY Ver"te*bral*ly, adv. (Anat.)

Defn: At or within a vertebra or vertebræ; — distinguished from interverterbrally.

VERTEBRARTERIAL Ver`te*brar*te"ri*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a vertebræ and an artery; — said of the foramina in the transverse processes of cervical vertebræ and of the canal which they form for the vertebral artery and vein.

VERTEBRATA Ver`te*bra"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous vertebræ, together with Amphioxus in which the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord. The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia, and Leptocardia.

VERTEBRATE Ver"te*brate, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Vertebrata.

VERTEBRATE; VERTEBRATED Ver"te*brate, Ver"te*bra`ted, a. Etym: [L. vertebratus.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: Having a backbone, or vertebral column, containing the spinal marrow, as man, quadrupeds, birds, amphibia, and fishes.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Contracted at intervals, so as to resemble the spine in animals. Henslow.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having movable joints resembling vertebræ; — said of the arms ophiurans.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Vertebrata; — used only in the form vertebrate.

VERTEBRE Ver"te*bre, n. (Anat.)

Defn: A vertebra. [Obs.]

VERTEBRO- Ver"te*bro-.

Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, a vertebra, vertebræ, or vertebral column; as in vertebrocostal.

VERTEBRO-ILIAC Ver"te*bro-il"i*ac, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Iliolumbar.

VERTEX Ver"tex, n.; pl. Vertexes, L. Vertices. Etym: [L. vertex, -icis, a whirl, top of the head, top, summit, from vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Vortex.]

Defn: A turning point; the principal or highest point; top; summit; crown; apex. Specifically: —(a) (Anat.)

Defn: The top, or crown, of the head. (b) (Anat.) The zenith, or the point of the heavens directly overhead. (c) (Math.) The point in any figure opposite to, and farthest from, the base; the terminating point of some particular line or lines in a figure or a curve; the top, or the point opposite the base.

Note: The principal vertex of a conic section is, in the parabola, the vertex of the axis of the curve: in the ellipse, either extremity of either axis, but usually the left-hand vertex of the transverse axis; in the hyperbola, either vertex, but usually the right-hand vertex of the transverse axis. Vertex of a curve (Math.), the point in which the axis of the curve intersects it. — Vertex of an angle (Math.), the point in which the sides of the angle meet. — Vertex of a solid, or of a surface of revolution (Math.), the point in which the axis pierces the surface.

VERTICAL Ver"ti*cal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vertical. See Vertex.]

1. Of or pertaining to the vertex; situated at the vertex, or highest point; directly overhead, or in the zenith; perpendicularly above one. Charity . . . is the vertical top of all religion. Jer. Taylor.

2. Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb; as, a vertical line. Vertical angle (Astron. & Geod.), an angle measured on a vertical circle, called an angle of elevation, or altitude, when reckoned from the horizon upward, and of depression when downward below the horizon. — Vertical anthers (Bot.), such anthers as stand erect at the top of the filaments. — Vertical circle (Astron.), an azimuth circle. See under Azimuth. — Vertical drill, an drill. See under Upright. — Vertical fire (Mil.), the fire, as of mortars, at high angles of elevation. — Vertical leaves (Bot.), leaves which present their edges to the earth and the sky, and their faces to the horizon, as in the Australian species of Eucalyptus. — Vertical limb, a graduated arc attached to an instrument, as a theodolite, for measuring vertical angles. — Vertical line. (a) (Dialing) A line perpendicular to the horizon. (b) (Conic Sections) A right line drawn on the vertical plane, and passing through the vertex of the cone. (c) (Surv.) The direction of a plumb line; a line normal to the surface of still water. (d) (Geom., Drawing, etc.) A line parallel to the sides of a page or sheet, in distinction from a horizontal line parallel to the top or bottom. — Vertical plane. (a) (Conic Sections) A plane passing through the vertex of a cone, and through its axis. (b) (Projections) Any plane which passes through a vertical line. (c) (Persp.) The plane passing through the point of sight, and perpendicular to the ground plane, and also to the picture. — Vertical sash, a sash sliding up and down. Cf. French sash, under 3d Sash. — Vertical steam engine, a steam engine having the crank shaft vertically above or below a vertical cylinder.

VERTICAL Ver"ti*cal, n.

1. Vertical position; zenith. [R.]

2. (Math.)

Defn: A vertical line, plane, or circle. Prime vertical, Prime vertical dial. See under Prime, a.

VERTICALITY Ver`ti*cal"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being vertical; verticalness. [R.] The different points of the verticality. Sir T. Browne.

VERTICALLY Ver"ti*cal*ly, adv.

Defn: In a vertical manner, position, or direction; perpendicularly; as, to look down vertically; to raise a thing vertically.

VERTICALNESS Ver"ti*cal*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being vertical.

VERTICIL Ver"ti*cil, n. Etym: [L. verticillus, dim. of vertex a whirl: cf. F. verticille. See Vertex.] (Bot.)

Defn: A circle either of leaves or flowers about a stem at the same node; a whorl. [Written also verticel.]

VERTICILLASTER Ver`ti*cil*las"ter, a. Etym: [NL., fr. L. verticillus a whirl + aster a star.] (Bot.)

Defn: A whorl of flowers apparently of one cluster, but composed of two opposite axillary cymes, as in mint. See Illust. of Whorl.

VERTICILLATE; VERTICILLATED Ver*tic"il*late, Ver*tic"il*la`ted, a. Etym: [See Verticil.] (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: Arranged in a transverse whorl or whorls like the rays of a wheel; as, verticillate leaves of a plant; a verticillate shell.

VERTICILLUS Ver`ti*cil"lus, n. Etym: [L., a whirl.] (Bot.)

Defn: A whorl; a verticil.

VERTICITY Ver*tic"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. verticité. See Vertex.]

Defn: The quality or power of turning; revolution; rotation. [R.] Locke. I hardly believe he hath from elder times unknown the verticity of the loadstone. Sir T. Browne.

VERTICLE Ver"ti*cle, n. Etym: [L. verticula a joint.]

Defn: An axis; hinge; a turning point. E. Waterhouse.

VERTIGINATE Ver*tig"i*nate, a.

Defn: Turned round; giddy. [R.] Coleridge.

VERTIGINOUS Ver*tig"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. vertiginosus, fr. vertigo a whirling around, giddiness: cf. F. vertigineux. See Vertig.]

1. Turning round; whirling; rotary; revolving; as, vertiginous motion. Some vertiginous whirl of fortune. De Quincey.

2. Affected with vertigo; giddy; dizzy. They [the angels] grew vertiginous, and fell from the battlements of heaven. Jer. Taylor. — Ver*tig"i*nous*ly, adv. — Ver*tig"i*nous*ness, n.

VERTIGO Ver"ti*go, n; pl. E. Vertigoes, L. Vertigines. Etym: [L., fr. vertere to turn. See Verse.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of the head in which objects, though stationary, appear to move in various directions, and the person affected finds it difficult to maintain an erect posture; giddiness. Quian.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small land snails belonging to the genus Vertigo, having an elongated or conical spiral shell and usually teeth in the aperture.

VERTILINEAR Ver`ti*lin"e*ar, a. Etym: [Vertical + linear.]

Defn: Straight; rectilinear. [R.]

VERTU Ver"tu, n.

1. Virtue; power. See Virtue. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. See Virtu.

VERTUOUS Ver"tu*ous, a.

Defn: Virtuous; powerful. [Obs.] Spenser.

VERUMONTANUM Ver`u*mon*ta"num, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: An elevation, or crest, in the wall of the urethra where the seminal ducts enter it.

Note: This is sometimes written veru montanum.

VERVAIN Ver"vain, n. Etym: [OE. verveine, F. verveine, fr. L. verbena, pl. verbenae sacred boughs of laurel, olive, or myrtle, a class of plants; cf. verbenaca vervain. Cf. Verbena.] (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Verbena. Vervain mallow (Bot.), a species of mallow (Malva Alcea) with rose-colored flowers.

VERVE Verve, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Excitement of imagination such as animates a poet, artist, or musician, in composing or performing; rapture; enthusiasm; spirit; energy.

VERVEL Ver"vel, n.

Defn: See Varvel.

VERVET Ver"vet, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A South African monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus, or Lelandii). The upper parts are grayish green, finely specked with black. The cheeks and belly are reddish white.

VERY Ver"y, a. [Compar. Verier; superl. Veriest.] Etym: [OE. verai, verray, OF. verai, vrai, F. vrai, (assumed) LL. veracus, for L. verax true, veracious, fr. verus true; akin to OHG. & OS. war, G. wahr, D. waar; perhaps originally, that is or exists, and akin to E. was. Cf. Aver, v. t., Veracious, Verdict, Verity.]

Defn: True; real; actual; veritable. Whether thou be my very son Esau or not. Gen. xxvii. 21. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Prov. xvii. 9. The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness. Milton. I looked on the consideration of public service or public ornament to be real and very justice. Burke.

Note: Very is sometimes used to make the word with which it is connected emphatic, and may then be paraphrased by same, self-same, itself, and the like. "The very hand, the very words." Shak. "The very rats instinctively have quit it." Shak. "Yea, there where very desolation dwells." Milton. Very is used occasionally in the comparative degree, and more frequently in the superlative. "Was not my lord the verier wag of the two" Shak. "The veriest hermit in the nation." Pope. "He had spoken the very truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood." Hawthorne. Very Reverend. See the Note under Reverend.

VERY Ver"y, adv.

Defn: In a high degree; to no small extent; exceedingly; excessively; extremely; as, a very great mountain; a very bright sum; a very cold day; the river flows very rapidly; he was very much hurt.

VERY'S NIGHT SIGNALS; VERY NIGHT SIGNALS; VERY'S LIGHT SIGNALS; VERY LIGHT SIGNALS Ver"y's, or Ver"y, night signals . [After Lieut. Samuel W. Very, who invented the system in 1877.] (Naut.)

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.

VESBIUM Ves"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.

VESE Vese, n. Etym: [Cf. Frese, n.]

Defn: Onset; rush; violent draught or wind. [Obs.] Chaucer.

VESICA Ve*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.

VESICAL Ves"i*cal, a. Etym: [L. vesica bladder.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder. Dunglison.

VESICANT Ves"i*cant, n. Etym: [L. vesica blister: cf. F. vésicant.] (Med.)

Defn: A vesicatory.

VESICATE Ves"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.

VESICATION Ves`i*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vésication.] (Med.)

Defn: The process of vesicating, or of raising blisters.

VESICATORY Ves"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.

VESICOPROSTATIC Ves`i*co*pro*stat"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of a pertaining to the bladder and the prostrate gland.

VESICOUTERINE Ves`i*co*u"ter*ine, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder and the uterus.

VESICOVAGINAL Ves`i*co*vag"i*nal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the bladder and the vagina.

VESICULA Ve*sic"u*la, n.; pl. Vesiculæ . Etym: [L., dim. of vesica.] (Anat. & Med.)

Defn: A vesicle.

VESICULAR Ve*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.

VESICULARIA Ve*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.

VESICULATA Ve*sic`u*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Vesicle.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The campanularian medusæ.

VESICULATE Ve*sic"u*late, a.

Defn: Bladdery; full of, or covered with, bladders; vesicular.

VESICULATE Ve*sic"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To form vesicles in, as lava.

VESICULATION Ve*sic`u*la"tion, n. (Geol.)

Defn: The state of containing vesicles, or the process by which vesicles are formed.

VESICULITIS Ve*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.

VESPA Ves"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.

VESPER Ves"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.

VESPERAL Ves"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.

VESPERTILIO Ves`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.

VESPERTILIONES Ves`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.

VESPERTILIONINE Ves`per*til`i*o"nine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Vespertiliones.

VESPERTINAL Ves"per*ti`nal, a.

Defn: Vespertine. Lowell.

VESPERTINE Ves"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.

VESPIARY Ves"pi*a*ry, n. Etym: [L. vespa a wasp.]

Defn: A nest, or habitation, of insects of the wasp kind.

VESPILLO Ves*pil"lo, n.; pl. Vespilloes. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: One who carried out the dead bodies of the poor at night for burial. Like vespilloes or grave makers. Sir T. Browne.

VESSEL Ves"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.

VESSEL Ves"sel, v. t.

Defn: To put into a vessel. [Obs.] Bacon.

VESSELFUL Ves"sel*ful, n.; pl. Vesselfuls (.

Defn: As much as a vessel will hold; enough to fill a vessel.

VESSES; VESSETS Ves"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.

VEST Vest, 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.

VEST Vest, 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.

VEST Vest, 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.

VESTAL Ves"tal, a. Etym: [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal. See Vesta.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.

VESTAL Ves"tal, n. Etym: [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale. See Vestal, 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.

VESTALES Ves*ta"les, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Vestal.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A group of butterflies including those known as virgins, or gossamer-winged butterflies.

VESTED Vest"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 SCHOOL Vest"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.

VESTIARIAN Ves`ti*a"ri*an, a. Etym: [See Vestiary.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a vestiary or vestments.

VESTIARY Ves"ti*a*ry, n. Etym: [L. vestiarium. See Vestry.]

Defn: A wardrobe; a robing room; a vestry. Fuller.

VESTIARY Ves"ti*a*ry, a.

Defn: Pertaining to clothes, or vestments.

VESTIBULAR Ves*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 TRAIN Vestibuled train. (Railroad)

Defn: Same as Vestibule train, under Vestibule.

VESTIBULUM Ves*tib"u*lum, n.; pl. Vestibula. Etym: [L., vestibule.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A cavity into which, in certain bryozoans, the esophagus and anus open.

VESTIGATE Ves"ti*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. vestigatus, p. p. of vestigare. See Vestige.]

Defn: To investigate. [Obs.]

VESTIGE Ves"tige, n. Etym: [F., from L. vestigium footprint, trace, sign; the last 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.

VESTIGIAL Ves*tig"i*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a vestige or remnant; like a vestige.

VESTING Vest"ing, n.

Defn: Cloth for vests; a vest pattern.

VESTITURE Ves"ti*ture, n. Etym: [See Vesture.]

Defn: In vestiture. [R.]

VESTLET Vest"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.

VESTRYMAN Ves"try*man, n.; pl. Vestrymen (.

Defn: A member of a vestry; especially (Prot. Epis. Ch.), a member other than a warden. See Vestry.

VESTURE Ves"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.

VESTURED Ves"tured, a.

Defn: Covered with vesture or garments; clothed; enveloped. We be vestured with poor cloth. Ld. Berners.

VESUVIAN Ve*su"vi*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. Vésuvien, It. Vesuviano.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Vesuvius, a volcano near Naples.

VESUVIAN Ve*su"vi*an, n. Etym: [G. vesuvian. See Vesuvian, a.] (Min.)

Defn: Vesuvianite.

VESUVIANITE Ve*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.

VESUVINE Ve*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).

VETCHLING Vetch"ling, n. Etym: [Vetch + -ling.] (Bot.)

Defn: Any small leguminous plant of the genus Lathyrus, especially L. Nissolia.

VETCHY Vetch"y, a.

1. Consisting of vetches or of pea straw. "A vetchy bed." Spenser.

2. Abounding with vetches.

VETERAN Vet"er*an, a. Etym: [L. veteranus, from vetus, veteris, old; akin to Gr. 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.

VETERAN Vet"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.

VETERANIZE Vet"er*an*ize, v. i.

Defn: To reënlist for service as a soldier. [U.S.] Gen. W. T. Sherman.

VETERINARIAN Vet`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.

VETIVER Vet"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.]

VETO Ve"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.

VETO Ve"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.

VETOIST Ve"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.

VETTURINO Vet`tu*ri"no, n.; pl. Vetturini. Etym: [It.]

1. One who lets or drives a vettura.

2. A vettura.

VETUST Ve*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.

VEX Vex, v. i.

Defn: To be irritated; to fret. [R.] Chapman.

VEXATION Vex*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.

VEXATIOUS Vex*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.

VEXED Vexed, a.

1. Annoyed; harassed; troubled.

2. Much debated or contested; causing discussion; as, a vexed question.

VEXER Vex"er, n.

Defn: One who vexes or troubles.

VEXIL Vex"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.

VEXILLARY Vex"il*la*ry, n. Etym: [L. vexillarius: cf. F. vexillaire.]

Defn: A standard bearer. Tennyson.

VEXILLATION Vex`il*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. vexillatio.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A company of troops under one vexillum.

VEXILLUM Vex*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.

VEXINGLY Vex"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a vexing manner; so as to vex, tease, or irritate. Tatler.

V HOOK V" hook`. (Steam Engine)

Defn: A gab at the end of an eccentric rod, with long jaws, shaped like the letter V.

VIA Vi"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.

VIA Vi"a, prep. Etym: [L., ablative of via way. See Way.]

Defn: By the way of; as, to send a letter via Queenstown to London.

VIABILITY Vi`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.

VIABLE Vi"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.

VIAGE Vi"age, n. Etym: [See Voyage.]

Defn: A voyage; a journey. [Obs.] Chaucer. Gower.

VIAL Vi"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.

VIAMETER Vi*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 chiefly in the plural. Cowper. Viands of various kinds allure the taste. Pope.

VIANDER Vi"and*er, n.

Defn: A feeder; an eater; also, one who provides viands, or food; a host. [Obs.] Holinshed.

VI-APPLE Vi"-ap`ple, n.

Defn: See Otaheite apple.

VIARY Vi"a*ry, a. Etym: [L. viarius, fr. via a way, road.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to roads; happening on roads. [Obs.]

VIATECTURE Vi"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.

VIATIC Vi*at"ic, a. Etym: [L. viaticus, fr. via a way. See Voyage.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a journey or traveling.

VIATICUM Vi*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.

VIATOMETER Vi`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.

VIBRANCY Vi"bran*cy, n.

Defn: The state of being vibrant; resonance.

VIBRANT Vi"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.

VIBRATE Vi"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.

VIBRATILE Vi"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.

VIBRATILITY Vi`bra*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. vibratilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being vibratile; disposition to vibration or oscillation. Rush.

VIBRATION Vi*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.

VIBRATIUNCLE Vi*bra"ti*un`cle, a. Etym: [Dim. of vibration.]

Defn: A small vibration. [R.] Chambers.

VIBRATIVE Vi"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.

VIBRATORY Vi"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.

VIBROGRAPH Vi"bro*graph, n. [Vibrate + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument to observe and record vibrations.

VIBROSCOPE Vi"bro*scope, n.

1. An instrument for observing or tracing vibrations.

2. An instrument resembling the phenakistoscope.

VIBURNUM Vi*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.