vector (vek´tэr) •n. 1 Biol. an animal, esp. an insect, that transmits a disease-producing organism from a host to a noninfected animal 2 Math. a) a mathematical expression denoting a combination of magnitude and direction, as velocity (distinguished from SCALAR) b) a directed line segment representing such an expression c) an ordered set of real numbers, each denoting a distance on a coordinate axis 3 the particular course followed or to be followed, as by an aircraft; compass heading •vt. to guide (a pilot, aircraft, missile, etc.) by means of a VECTOR (sense 3) sent by radio vec·to´ri·al (-tör´ i: эl) •adj. vec·to´ri·al·ly •adv. [ModL < L, bearer, carrier < vectus, pp. of vehere, to carry: see WAY]

vector analysis the application of calculus to the study and use of vectors

vector product a vector perpendicular to each of two given vectors u and v and having magnitude equal to the product of the magnitudes of u and v and the sine of the angle from u to v

Veda (vei´dэ, vi:´-) •n. 1 any of four ancient sacred books of Hinduism, consisting of hymns, chants, sacred formulas, etc.: see RIG-VEDA 2 these books collectively Ve·da·ic (vi dei´ik) •adj. [Sans veda, knowledge < IE base *weid-, to see, know > WISE¹, L videre, to see]

vedalia (vэ dei´li: э, -deil´yэ) •n. an Australian ladybug (Rodolia cardinalis), now widely introduced all over the world to combat certain scale insects [ModL < ?]

Vedanta (vi dän´tэ, -dæn´-) •n. a system of Hindu monistic philosophy based on the Vedas Ve·dan´tic •adj. Ve·dan´tism •n. [Sans Vedānta < Veda (see VEDA) + anta, an END]

Vedda (ved´э) pl. -das or -da a member of the aboriginal people of Sri Lanka Also sp. Ved´dah •n. Ved´doid (-oid') •adj. [Sinhalese, hunter]

vedette (vэ det´) •n. [Obs.] a mounted sentinel posted in advance of the outposts of an army [Fr < It vedetta, altered (infl. by vedere, to see) < veletta, sentry box < Sp vela, vigil < velar, to watch < L vigilare: see VIGIL]

Vedic (vei´dik, vi:´-) •adj. of the Vedas •n. the Old Indic language of the Vedas, an early form of Sanskrit

vee (vi:) •n. 1 the letter V 2 something shaped like a V •adj. shaped like a V

veejay (vi:´jei') •n. a person who hosts or conducts a TV program of music videos, interspersed with chatter, commercials, etc., or one who plays such videos at a club or disco

Veep (vi:p) •n. [sometimes v-] [Colloq.] a vice-president; specif., the Vice President of the U.S. [altered from veepee (for VP)]

veer¹ (vir) •vi. 1 to change direction; shift; turn or swing around 2 to change sides; shift, as from one opinion or attitude to another 3 Meteorol. to shift clockwise (in the Northern Hemisphere): said of the changing direction of a wind: opposed to BACK¹ (vi. 3) 4 Naut. a) to change the direction or course of a ship by swinging its stern to the wind; wear a ship b) to be so turned (said of a ship) •vt. 1 to turn or swing; change the course of 2 Naut. to change the direction or course of (a ship) by swinging its stern to the wind; wear •n. a change of direction SYN. DEVIATE veer´ing·ly •adv. [altered (by assoc. with fol.) < Fr virer, to turn around, prob. < VL *virare, contr. < L vibrare: see VIBRATE]

veer² (vir) •vt., vi. Naut. to let out (a line, chain, anchor, etc.): often with out [ME veren < MDu vieren, to let out]

veery (vir´i:) pl. veer´ies •n. a small, brown and cream-colored thrush (Catharus fuscescens) of the E U.S. [prob. echoic]

veg (vej) pl. veg •n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Colloq.] vegetable {roast beef and two veg}

Vega (vi:´gэ, vei´-) the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, with a magnitude of 0.05 [ML < Ar (ar nasr) al wāqi؟, the falling (vulture)] Vega (ve´gä), Lo·pe de (lö´pe ðe) (born Lope Félix de Vega Carpio) 1562-1635; Sp. dramatist & poet

vegan (vi:´gэn) •n. a vegetarian who eats no animal products

Vegas (vei´gэs) short for LAS VEGAS

vegetable (vej´э tэ bэl; often vech´tэ-, vej´tэ-) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, plants in general {the vegetable kingdom} 2 of, having the nature of, made from, consisting of, or produced by, edible vegetables •n. [< ML vegetabilia (pl.), growing things, vegetables] 1 broadly, any plant, as distinguished from animal or inorganic matter 2 a) any herbaceous plant that is eaten whole or in part, raw or cooked b) the edible part of such a plant, as the root (e.g., a carrot), tuber (a potato), seed (a pea), fruit (a tomato), stem (celery), or leaf (lettuce) 3 a person thought of as like a vegetable, as because of leading a dull, unthinking existence or because of having lost consciousness, the use of the mind, etc. [ME < ML vegetabilis, vegetative, capable of growth < LL, animating, enlivening < L vegetare: see VEGETATE]

vegetable butter any of various vegetable fats that are solid at ordinary temperatures, esp. those from coconut or palm nut oil

vegetable ivory 1 the fully ripe, ivorylike seed of a South American palm (Phytelephas macrocarpa) used to make buttons, ornaments, etc. 2 the shell of the coquilla nut

vegetable marrow [Chiefly Brit., etc.] 1 any of various large, elongated, smooth-skinned, meaty varieties of summer squash 2 the flesh of any of these

vegetable oil any of various liquid fats derived from the fruits or seeds of plants, used in food products, soaps, etc.

vegetable oyster Æ SALSIFY

vegetable silk KAPOK

vegetable sponge LUFFA (sense 2)

vegetable tallow any of various fatty, tallowlike substances from the fruits or seeds of plants

vegetable wax any of various waxes found on the leaves, stems, or fruits of some plants

vegetal (vej´э tэl) •adj. 1 VEGETABLE 2 VEGETATIVE (sense 3) [ME vegytalle < ML *vegetalis < vegetare, to grow < L: see VEGETATE]

vegetarian (vej'э ter´i: эn) •n. a person who eats no meat, and sometimes no animal products (as milk or eggs); esp., one who advocates a diet of only vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts as the proper one for all people for reasons of health or because of principles opposing the killing of animals •adj. 1 of vegetarians or vegetarianism 2 consisting only of vegetables, fruits, etc. [VEGET(ABLE) + -ARIAN]

vegetarianism (-iz'эm) •n. the principles or practices of vegetarians

vegetate (vej´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vi. 1 to grow as plants 2 to exist with little mental and physical activity; lead a dull, inactive life 3 Med. to grow or increase in size, as a wart or other abnormal outgrowth [< L vegetatus, pp. of vegetare, to enliven < vegetus, lively < vegere, to quicken, WAKE¹; senses 1 & 2 infl. by VEGETABLE]

vegetation (vej'э tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of vegetating 2 plant life in general 3 a dull, passive, unthinking existence 4 Med. any abnormal outgrowth on a part of the body veg'e·ta´tion·al •adj. [ML vegetatio, growth < LL, an enlivening: see VEGETATE]

vegetative (vej´э teit'iv) •adj. 1 a) of vegetation, or plants b) of or concerned with vegetation, or plant growth 2 growing, or capable of growing, as plants 3 designating or of those functions or parts of plants concerned with growth and nutrition as distinguished from reproduction 4 capable of causing growth in plants; fertile {vegetative material} 5 VEGETATIONAL 6 involuntary or passive like the growth of plants; showing little mental activity {a vegetative existence} 7 Zool. of or pertaining to reproduction by budding or other asexual method Also veg´e·tive (-tiv) veg´e·ta'tive·ly •adv. veg´e·ta'tive·ness •n. [ME < ML vegetativus < L vegetatus: see VEGETATE]

veggie (vej´i:) •n. [Slang] 1 a vegetable 2 a vegetarian

vehement (vi:´э mэnt; occas. vi:´hэ-) •adj. 1 acting or moving with great force; violent; impetuous 2 having or characterized by intense feeling or strong passion; fervent, impassioned, etc. ve´he·mence or ve´he·men·cy •n. ve´he·ment·ly •adv. [LME < MFr véhément < L vehemens, eager, vehement < base of vehere, to carry: see WAY]

vehicle (vi:´э kэl; often vi:´hik'эl, -hэ kэl) •n. 1 any device or contrivance for carrying or conveying persons or objects, esp. over land or in space, as automobiles, bicycles, sleds, spacecraft, etc. 2 a means by which thoughts are expressed or made known {music as the vehicle for one's ideas} 3 in a metaphor, that word or term whose usual, literal meaning is applied in a figurative, nonliteral way to the TENOR (sense 3) {in all the world's a stage, world is the tenor and stage is the vehicle} 4 a play, film, etc. thought of as a means of communication or as a means of presenting a specified actor or company 5 Painting a liquid, as water or oil, with which pigments are mixed for use 6 Pharmacy a substance, as a syrup, in which medicines are given [Fr véhicule < L vehiculum, carriage < vehere, to carry: see WAY]

vehicular (vi: hik´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. 1 of or for vehicles {a vehicular tunnel} 2 serving as a vehicle 3 resulting from a collision or collisions, etc. of or with a vehicle or vehicles {vehicular homicide} [LL vehicularis]

Veii (vi:´yai) ancient Etruscan city northwest of Rome: destroyed by the Romans in 396 B.C.

veil (veil) •n. 1 a piece of light fabric, as of net or gauze, worn, esp. by women, over the face or head or draped from a hat to conceal, protect, or enhance the face 2 any piece of cloth used as a concealing or separating screen or curtain 3 anything like a veil in that it covers or conceals {a veil of mist, a veil of silence} 4 a) a part of a nun's headdress, draped along the sides of the face and over the shoulders b) the state or life of a nun (chiefly in take the veil, to become a nun) 5 short for HUMERAL VEIL 6 [Dial.] CAUL 7 Biol. VELUM •vt. 1 to cover with or as with a veil 2 to conceal, hide, disguise, screen, obscure, etc. veil´like' •adj. [ME veile, veil, sail, curtain < NormFr < L vela, neut. pl., taken as fem., of velum, sail, cloth, curtain < IE base *weg-, to weave, attach, a textile > OIr figim, I weave, OE wecca, wick]

veiled (veild) •adj. 1 wearing a veil 2 covered with or as with a veil 3 concealed, hidden, disguised, obscured, etc. 4 not openly expressed {a veiled threat}

veiling (veil´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of covering with or as with a veil 2 a veil; curtain 3 thin, transparent fabric used for veils

vein (vein) •n. 1 a) any blood vessel that carries blood from some part of the body back toward the heart b) loosely, any blood vessel (cf. ARTERY, CAPILLARY) 2 any of the riblike supports strengthening the membranous wings of an insect 3 any of the bundles of vascular tissue forming the framework of a leaf blade 4 a more or less continuous body of minerals, igneous or sedimentary rock, etc., occupying a fissure or zone, differing in nature, and abruptly separated, from the enclosing rock and usually deposited from solution by circulating water 5 LODE (senses 1 & 2) 6 a streak or marking of a color or substance different from the surrounding material, as in marble or wood 7 a) any distinctive quality or strain regarded as running through one's character, or a speech, writing, etc. {a vein of humor in the essay} b) course or tenor of thought, feeling, action, etc. 8 a temporary state of mind; mood {speaking in a serious vein} •vt. 1 to streak or mark with or as with veins 2 to branch out through in the manner of veins SYN. MOOD¹ [ME veine < OFr < L vena]

veined (veind) •adj. having veins or veinlike markings

veining (vein´iŋ) •n. the formation or arrangement of veins or veinlike markings

veinlet (vein´lit) •n. VENULE

veinstone (-stoun') •n. GANGUE

veinule (-yu:l') •n. VENULE [VEIN + -ULE]

veiny (vein´i:) vein´i·er, vein´i·est •adj. 1 having or showing veins 2 full of veins, as flesh, leaves, or marble

vel Bookbinding vellum

vela (vi:´lэ) •n. pl. of VELUM Vela (vi:´lэ, vei´-) a constellation in the S Milky Way between Carina and Antlia: see ARGO [ModL < L: see VEIL]

velamen (vэ lei´mэn) pl. -lam´i·na (-læm´э nэ) •n. 1 Anat. a membrane or velum 2 Bot. the corky outer layer of the aerial roots of certain orchids vel·a·men·tous (vel'э men´tэs) •adj. [L, a covering < velare, to cover: for IE base see VEIL]

velar (vi:´lэr) •adj. 1 of a velum; esp., of the soft palate 2 Phonet. articulated with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate, as (k) followed by a back vowel as in cup •n. a velar sound [L velaris, belonging to a veil or curtain < velum, a VEIL]

velarium (vэ ler´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-i: э) •n. in ancient Rome, a large awning over an amphitheater or theater [L < velum, a covering, VEIL]

velarize (vi:´lэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. Phonet. to modify the pronunciation of (a sound) by having the back of the tongue raised toward the velum during articulation ve'lar·i·za´tion •n.

velate (vi:´leit', -lit) •adj. having a velum [L velatus, pp. of velare, to cover: for IE base see VEIL]

Velázquez (ve läθ´keθ; E vэ læs´kes, -kwez), Die·go Ro·drí·guez de Sil·va y (dye´gô řô ðři:´geθ ðe si:l´vä i:) 1599-1660; Sp. painter: also Ve·lás·quez (ve läs´keθ)

Velcro (vel´krou) trademark for a nylon material made with both a surface of tiny hooks and a complementary surface of a clinging pile, used, as in garments, in matching strips that can be pressed together or pulled apart for easy fastening and unfastening •n. this material [arbitrary formation based on VEL(VET)]

veld or veldt (velt) •n. in South Africa, open grassy country, with few bushes and almost no trees; grassland [Afrik < MDu veld, a FIELD]

velitation (vel'э tei´shэn) •n. a hostile encounter; skirmish or dispute [L velitatio < velitatus, pp. of velitari, to skirmish < velites, VELITES]

velites (vi:´li ti:z') •n.pl. in ancient Rome, lightly armed foot soldiers [L, pl. of veles (gen. velitis), akin to velox, swift & vehere, to carry: see WAY]

velleity (vэ li:´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the weakest kind of desire or volition 2 a mere wish that does not lead to the slightest action [ML velleitas < L velle, to wish: see WILL²]

vellicate (vel´i keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt., vi. [Now Rare] to twitch, pluck, etc. vel'li·ca´tion •n. [L vellicatus, pp. of vellicare, to twitch, pinch < vellere, to pluck < IE base *wel-, to tear, pluck out > OE wæl, battlefield]

vellum (vel´эm) •n. 1 a fine kind of parchment prepared from calfskin, lambskin, or kidskin, used as writing parchment or for binding books 2 a manuscript written on vellum 3 a strong paper made to resemble vellum •adj. of or like vellum [ME velim < MFr velin, vellum, prepared calfskin < OFr veel: see VEAL]

velocipede (vэ läs´э pi:d') •n. 1 any of various early bicycles or tricycles 2 an old type of handcar for use on railroad tracks [Fr vélocipède < L velox (gen. velocis), swift, speedy (for IE base see WAY) + pes (gen. pedis), FOOT]

velocity (vэ läs´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 quickness or rapidity of motion or action; swiftness; speed 2 a) rate of change of position, in relation to time b) rate of motion in a particular direction, as of the rotation of a sphere, in relation to time [Fr vélocité < L velocitas < velox: see VELOCIPEDE]

velodrome (vi:´lэ droum', vel´э-) •n. an indoor arena with a track banked for bicycle races [Fr vélodrome < vélo (contr. < vélocipède, VELOCIPEDE) + -drome, -DROME]

velour or velours (vэ lur´) pl. ve·lours´ (-lurz´, -lur´) •n. a fabric with a soft nap like velvet, used for upholstery, draperies, hats, clothing, etc. [Fr: see VELURE]

velouté (vэ lu: tei´) •n. a rich white sauce made from veal, chicken, or fish stock thickened with flour and butter Also velouté sauce [Fr, velvety < MFr < OFr velous: see VELURE]

Velsen (vel´sэn) city in W Netherlands: outer port of Amsterdam: pop. 57,000

velskoen (vel´skün', fel´-) •n.pl. sturdy shoes of untanned hide, worn in South Africa: also veld´skoen' (velt´-, felt´-) [Afrik < vel, skin (< MDu, akin to FELL³) + skoen, shoe (akin to OE scoh, SHOE)]

velum (vi:´lэm) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. Biol. any of various veillike membranous partitions or coverings; specif., a) SOFT PALATE b) the lobed, ciliate swimming organ of gastropod larvae, located near the mouth [L, a VEIL]

velure (vэ lur´) •n. [Rare] velvet or a fabric like velvet [Fr velours, altered < OFr velous < LL villosus, shaggy < villus, shaggy hair: see WOOL]

velutinous (vэ lu:t´ªn эs) •adj. Biol. covered with short, dense, silky, upright hairs; soft and velvety [< It velluto, velvet (< VL villutus: see VELVET) + -OUS]

velvet (vel´vэt) •n. 1 a rich fabric as of silk, rayon, or nylon with a soft, thick pile: pile velvet has the pile uncut, standing in loops; cut velvet has the loops cut apart 2 anything with a surface like that of velvet 3 a soft, vascular skin on a deer's growing antlers Æ 4 [Old Slang] extra or clear profit or winnings; gain •adj. 1 made of or covered with velvet 2 smooth or soft like velvet [ME < OFr veluotte < VL villutus < L villus, shaggy hair: see WOOL]

velvet ant any of a family (Mutillidae) of antlike wasps, often with brightly colored hairs: the females are wingless

velvet bean a coarse, twining, leguminous annual vine (Stizolobium deeringianum) grown for forage

velveteen (vel'vэ ti:n´) •n. 1 a cotton cloth with a short, thick pile, resembling velvet 2 [pl.] clothes, esp. trousers, made of velveteen [< VELVET]

velvety (vel´vэt i:) •adj. 1 smooth or soft like velvet 2 smooth-tasting; mellow; not harsh: said of liquors

Ven Venerable

vena (vi:´nэ) pl. ve´nae (-ni:) •n. a vein [L]

vena cava (vi:'nэ kei´vэ) pl. ve·nae ca·vae (ve'ni: kei´vi:) Anat. either of two large veins conveying blood to the right atrium of the heart: see HEART, illus. [ModL < L vena, vein + cava, fem. of cavus, hollow]

venal (vi:n´эl) •adj. 1 [Now Rare] capable of being obtained for a price {venal services} 2 that can readily be bribed or corrupted {a venal judge} 3 characterized by bribery or corruption {a venal bargain} ve´nal·ly •adv. [L venalis, salable, for sale < *venus, sale < IE *wesno-, price > Sans vasná-, price, payment, Gr ōnos, price]

venality (vi næl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. state, quality, or instance of being venal; willingness to be bribed or bought off, or to prostitute one's talents for mercenary considerations [< Fr or LL: Fr venalité < LL venalitas]

venatic (vi næt´ik) •adj. [Now Rare] of or engaging in hunting Also ve·nat´i·cal [L venaticus, of hunting < venatus, hunting < venari, to hunt: see VENISON]

venation (vi: nei´shэn) •n. 1 an arrangement or system of veins, as in an animal part, an insect's wing, or a leaf 2 such veins collectively [< L vena, a vein]

vend (vend) •vt. 1 to sell, esp. by peddling 2 to give public expression to (opinions); publish •vi. 1 to sell goods 2 to be disposed of by sale SYN. SELL [Fr vendre < L vendere, contr. < venum dare, to offer for sale < *venus, sale (see VENAL) + dare, to give]

vendace (ven´deis') pl. -dace' •n.or -dac'es any of various European whitefishes (genus Coregonus) of the lakes of England and Scotland [OFr vandoise, dace < Gaul *vindisia < *vindos, white; akin to Welsh gwynn]

vendee (ven'di:´) •n. the person to whom a thing is sold; buyer [VEND + -EE¹]

Vendée (väñ dei´) region of W France, south of Brittany: scene of peasant insurrections against the French Revolutionary government (1793-96) Ven·de·an (ven di:´эn) •adj., n.

vender (ven´dэr) •n. alt. sp. of VENDOR

vendetta (ven det´э) •n. 1 a feud in which the relatives of a murdered or wronged person seek vengeance on the murderer or wrongdoer or on members of that person's family 2 any bitter quarrel or feud ven·det´tist •n. [It < L vindicta, vengeance: see VINDICTIVE]

vendeuse (väñ döz´) pl. -deuses (-döz´) •n. a saleswoman, esp. one who sells women's clothing [Fr]

vendible (ven´dэ bэl) •adj. 1 capable of being sold: also sp. vend´a·ble 2 [Obs.] VENAL •n. something vendible vend'i·bil´i·ty •n. vend´i·bly •adv. [ME < L vendibilis < vendere: see VEND]

vending machine a coin-operated machine for selling certain kinds of articles, refreshments, etc.

vendition (ven dish´эn) •n. the act of vending; sale [L venditio < venditus, pp. of vendere: see VEND]

Vendôme (väñ doum´), Duc (Louis Joseph) de (dэ) 1654-1712; Fr. general: marshal of France

vendor (ven´dэr, ven dör´) •n. 1 one who vends, or sells; seller 2 VENDING MACHINE [Anglo-Fr < Fr vendre]

vendue (ven´du:', -dyu:') •n. a public auction [obs. Fr, sale < vendu, pp. of vendre: see VEND]

veneer (vэ nir´) •vt. 1 to cover with a thin layer of more costly material; esp., to cover (wood) with wood of finer quality 2 to give a superficially attractive appearance to 3 to glue together (thin layers of wood) to form plywood •n. 1 a thin surface layer of fine wood or costly material laid over a base of common material 2 any of the thin layers glued together in plywood 3 any attractive but superficial appearance or display {a veneer of culture} [Ger furnieren, to veneer < Fr fournir, to FURNISH]

veneering (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who veneers 2 material used for veneer

venepuncture (ven´э pûŋk'chэr, vi:´nэ-) •n. alt. sp. of VENIPUNCTURE

venerable (ven´эr э bэl) •adj. 1 worthy of respect or reverence by reason of age and dignity, character, or position 2 impressive on account of age or historic or religious associations {a venerable monument} 3 [V-] a) Anglican Ch. a title of reverence for an archdeacon b) R.C.Ch. a title of veneration for a dead person who may later be beatified ven'er·a·bil´i·ty or ven´er·a·ble·ness •n. ven´er·a·bly •adv. [ME < MFr vénérable < L venerabilis, to be reverenced < venerari: see VENERATE]

Venerable Bede , the see BEDE, Saint

venerate (ven´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to look upon with feelings of deep respect; regard as venerable; revere SYN. REVERE¹ ven´er·a'tor •n. [< L veneratus, pp. of venerari, to worship, reverence < venus (gen. veneris), love: see VENUS]

veneration (ven'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 a venerating or being venerated 2 a feeling of deep respect and reverence 3 an act of showing this SYN. AWE [ME veneracion < OFr < L veneratio]

venereal (vэ nir´i: эl) •adj. 1 a) having to do with sexual love or intercourse b) serving to arouse sexual desire; aphrodisiac 2 a) transmitted only or chiefly by sexual intercourse with an infected individual {syphilis and gonorrhea are venereal diseases} b) infected with a venereal disease c) of or dealing with venereal disease [ME venerealle < L venereus < venus, love: see VENUS]

venereology (vэ nir'i: äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of medicine dealing with venereal disease ve·ne're·ol´o·gist •n. [< prec. + -OLOGY]

venery¹ (ven´эr i:) •n. [Archaic] the indulgence of sexual desire; specif., sexual intercourse [LME venerie < L Venus (gen. Veneris): see VENUS]

venery² (ven´эr i:) •n. [Archaic] the act or practice of hunting game; the chase [ME venerie < MFr < vener, to hunt < L venari: see VENISON]

venesection (ven´э sek'shэn, vi:´nэ-) •n. Med. PHLEBOTOMY [< ModL venae sectio, cutting of a vein: see VEIN & SECTION]

Venetia (vэ ni:´shi: э, -shэ) 1 ancient district at the head of the Adriatic, north of the Po River: with Istria it formed a Roman province 2 former region of NE Italy, the E portion of which was ceded to Yugoslavia in 1947 3 VENETO [L < Veneti: see VENETIC]

Venetian (vэ ni:´shэn) •adj. of Venice, its people, its culture, etc. •n. a native or inhabitant of Venice

Venetian blind [also v- b-] a window blind made of a number of thin, horizontal wooden, metal, or plastic slats that can be set together at any angle to regulate the light and air passing through or be drawn up together to the top of the window by means of cords

Venetian glass a fine glassware made in or near Venice, esp. on the nearby island of Murano

Venetian red 1 a red pigment formerly made from ferric oxides, now prepared synthetically 2 a brownish-red color

Venetic (vэ net´ik) •n. an extinct Italic language known through about 200 short inscriptions [< L Veneticus, of the Veneti, after Veneti, a people living in VENETIA]

Veneto (ve´ne tô') region of N Italy, on the Adriatic: 7,095 sq. mi. (18,375 sq. km); pop. 4,345,000; chief city, Venice

Venez Venezuela

Venezia (ve ne´tsyä) 1 It. name of VENICE 2 former region of N Italy, generally corresponding to ancient Venetia: it now forms most of Veneto

Venezuela (ven'э zwei´lэ, -zwi:´-; Sp ve'ne swe´lä) 1 country in N South America: 352,143 sq. mi. (912,047 sq. km); pop. 17,791,000; cap. Caracas 2 Gulf of inlet of the Caribbean, on the NW coast of Venezuela: c. 150 mi. (241 km) wide Ven'e·zue´lan •adj., n.

vengeance (ven´jэns) •n. 1 the return of an injury for an injury, in punishment or retribution; avenging of an injury or offense; revenge 2 the desire to make such a return with a vengeance 1 with great force or fury 2 excessively; to an unusual extent [ME < OFr < venger, to avenge < L vindicare: see VINDICATE]

vengeful (venj´fэl) •adj. 1 desiring or seeking vengeance; vindictive 2 arising from or showing a desire for vengeance: said of actions 3 inflicting or serving to inflict vengeance SYN. VINDICTIVE venge´ful·ly •adv. venge´ful·ness •n. [obs. venge, vengeance < venge, to avenge < ME vengen < OFr venger (see VENGEANCE) + -FUL]

veni, vidi, vici (wei´ni: wi:´di: wi:´ki:) I came, I saw, I conquered: Julius Caesar's report to the Roman Senate of a victory [L]

venial (vi:n´yэl, vi:´ni: эl) •adj. 1 that may be forgiven; pardonable 2 that may be excused or overlooked, as an error or fault; excusable 3 Theol. not causing spiritual death: said of sin either not serious in itself or, if serious, not adequately recognized as such or not committed with full consent of one's will: cf. MORTAL ve·ni·al·i·ty (vi:'ni: æl´э ti:) •n. ve´ni·al·ly •adv. [OFr < LL(Ec) venialis, pardonable, orig., gracious < L venia, a grace, favor, akin to venus, love: see VENUS]

Venice (ven´is) 1 seaport in N Italy built on more than 100 small islands in the Lagoon of Venice: formerly a maritime city-state extending over most of Venetia & Dalmatia: pop. 346,000: It. name VENEZIA 2 Gulf of N end of the Adriatic: c. 60 mi. (96 km) wide 3 Lagoon of arm of this gulf, on the coast of Veneto: c. 180 sq. mi. (466 sq. km)

venin (ven´in) •n. any of the specific toxic constituents of animal venoms [< VEN(OM) + -IN¹]

venipuncture (ven'э pûŋk´chэr, vi:'nэ-) •n. the puncture of a vein, as with a hypodermic needle [< L vena, vein + PUNCTURE]

venire (vэ nai´ri:) •n. 1 short for VENIRE FACIAS 2 a list or group of people from among whom a jury or juries will be selected [L, COME]

venire facias (fei´shi: æs') Law a writ issued by a judge ordering that persons be summoned to serve as jurors [ME < ML, cause to come < L venire, COME + 2d pers. sing., pres. subj., of facere, to make, DO¹]

venireman (vэ nai´ri: mэn) pl. -men a member of a VENIRE (sense 2) •n.

venison (ven´i zэn, -sэn) •n. 1 [Obs.] the flesh of a game animal, used as food 2 the flesh of a deer, used as food [ME veneison < OFr, hunting < L venatio, the chase < venatus, pp. of venari, to hunt < IE base *wen-, to strive for, desire > WIN, L venus, love]

Venite (vэ ni:´te) Psalm 95, used as the introductory part of matins or morning prayer [L, come, 2d pers. pl., imper., of venire, to COME: from the opening word of the 94th Psalm in the Vulg. (95th in the KJV)]

Venlo (ven´lou) city in SE Netherlands, near the German border: pop. 63,000

Venn diagram (ven) Math. a diagram, esp. in symbolic logic, using overlapping circles, often shaded or crosshatched, to show relationships between sets [after John Venn (1834-1923), Eng logician]

venom (ven´эm) •n. 1 the poison secreted by some snakes, spiders, insects, etc., introduced into the body of the victim by bite or sting 2 [Rare] poison of any kind 3 malignancy; spite; malice [ME < OFr venim, var. of venin < L venenum, a poison, IE *wenes-nom, love potion < *wenos: see VENUS]

venomous (-эs) •adj. 1 containing or full of venom; poisonous 2 malignant; spiteful; malicious 3 Zool. having a poison gland or glands and able to inflict a poisonous wound by biting or stinging ven´om·ous·ly •adv. ven´om·ous·ness •n. [ME venimous < OFr venimeux]

venose (vi:´nous) •adj. veined or veiny, as an insect's wing

venosity (vi: näs´э ti:) •n. the state or quality of being venose or venous

venous (vi:n´эs) •adj. 1 Biol. a) of a vein or veins b) having veins or full of veins; veiny 2 Physiol. designating blood being carried in the veins back to the heart and lungs: venous blood has given up oxygen and taken up carbon dioxide, and in vertebrates is characterized by a dark-red color ve´nous·ly •adv. [L venosus]

vent¹ (vent) •n. 1 [Rare] the action of escaping or passing out, or the means or opportunity to do this; issue; outlet 2 expression; release {giving vent to emotion} 3 a) a small hole or opening to permit passage or escape, as of a gas Æ b) a small triangular window or dashboard opening for letting air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle 4 in early guns, the small hole at the breech through which a spark passes to set off the charge 5 the crusted opening in a volcano from which gas and molten rock erupt 6 Zool. the excretory opening in animals; esp., the external opening of the cloaca in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes •vt. 1 to make a vent in or provide a vent for 2 to allow (steam, gas, etc.) to escape through an opening 3 to give release or expression to 4 to relieve or unburden by giving vent to feelings {to vent oneself in curses} [ME venten < OFr venter, to blow (or aphetic < OFr esventer, to expose to the air, let out < es-, out + venter) < VL *ventare < L ventus, WIND²]

vent² (vent) •n. a vertical slit in a garment, esp. one put in the back or sides of a coat •vt. to make a vent or vents in [ME vent, altered (infl. by VENT¹) < fente < OFr < VL *findita, fem. pp., for L fissus, pp. of findere, to split: see FISSION]

ventage (-ij) •n. a small hole or opening; vent [see -AGE]

ventail (ven´teil') •n. the movable piece of armor, forming the lower front part of a metal helmet [ME ventaylle < OFr ventaille < vent (< L ventus), WIND²]

venter (ven´tэr) •n. 1 Anat., Zool. a) the belly, or abdomen b) a protuberance like a belly, as on a muscle c) a cavity or hollowed surface 2 Law the womb: used in designating maternal parentage, as in children of the first venter, meaning children of the first wife [Anglo-Fr < L venter: see VENTRAL]

ventifact (-fækt') •n. any stone shaped by the abrasion of windblown sand [< L ventus, a WIND² + (ART)IFACT]

ventilate (vent´ªl eit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 a) to circulate fresh air in (a room, etc.), driving out foul air b) to circulate in (a room, etc.) so as to freshen (said of air) 2 to provide with an opening for the escape of air, gas, etc.; furnish a means for airing 3 to expose (a substance) to fresh air so as to keep in good condition 4 to examine and discuss in public; bring (a grievance, problem, etc.) out into the open 5 to aerate (blood); oxygenate 6 [Obs.] to winnow (grain) ven´ti·la'tive •adj. [< L ventilatus, pp. of ventilare, to fan, ventilate < ventus, a WIND²]

ventilation (vent'ªl ei´shэn) •n. 1 a ventilating or being ventilated 2 a system or equipment for ventilating [L ventilatio]

ventilator (vent´ªl eit'эr) •n. a thing that ventilates; esp., any device used to bring in fresh air and drive out foul air

ventilatory (-э tör'i:) •adj. 1 of, having, or pertaining to ventilation 2 Med. of, pertaining to, or involved in breathing and the oxygenation of the blood

ventral (ven´trэl) •adj. 1 Anat., Zool. of, near, on, or toward the belly or the side of the body where the belly is located: in humans the front, or anterior, side but in most other animals the lower, or inferior, side 2 Bot. of or belonging to the inner or lower surface ven´tral·ly •adv. [Fr < L ventralis < venter, belly < IE base *udero-, belly > L uterus, womb, Ger wanst, paunch]

ventricle (ven´tri kэl) •n. Anat., Zool. any of various cavities or hollow organs; specif., a) either of the two lower chambers of the heart which receive blood from the atria and pump it into the arteries (see HEART, illus.) b) any of the four small continuous cavities within the brain [ME < L ventriculus, stomach, ventricle, dim. of venter: see VENTRAL]

ventricose (-kous') •adj. 1 large-bellied 2 Biol. swelling out on one side ven'tri·cos´i·ty (-käs´э ti:) •n. [ModL ventricosus < L venter, belly: see VENTRAL]

ventricular (ven trik´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 of, involving, or being a ventricle 2 having a bulge or belly [< L ventriculus (see VENTRICLE) + -AR]

ventriculus (-lэs) pl. -u·li' (-lai') •n. Zool. 1 that part of the alimentary tract of an insect, analogous to the stomach, where digestion takes place 2 the gizzard of a bird [ModL < L: see VENTRICLE]

ventriloquial (ven'trэ lou´kwi: эl) •adj. of, having to do with, or using ventriloquism ven'tri·lo´qui·al·ly •adv.

ventriloquism (ven tril´э kwiz'эm) •n. the art or practice of speaking so that the voice seems to come from some source other than the speaker Also ven·tril´o·quy (-kwi:) [< L ventriloquus, lit., one who speaks from the belly < venter, belly (see VENTRAL) + loqui, to speak + -ISM]

ventriloquist (-kwist) •n. a person who practices ventriloquism; specif., an entertainer who uses ventriloquism to carry on a pretended conversation as with a large puppet, or dummy ven·tril'o·quis´tic •adj.

ventriloquize (-kwaiz') -quized', -quiz'ing •vi., vt. to utter (words or sounds) as a ventriloquist

ventro- (ven´trou, -trэ) combining form 1 abdomen, belly {ventrotomy} 2 ventral and {ventrodorsal} Also ven·tri- (ven´tri, -trэ) [< L venter, belly: see VENTRAL]

ventrodorsal (ven'trou dör´sэl) •adj. of or involving both the ventral and dorsal surfaces [prec. + DORSAL¹]

ventrolateral (-læt´эr эl) •adj. of or involving both the ventral and lateral surfaces [VENTRO- + LATERAL]

Ventura (ven tur´э) city in SW Calif., northwest of Los Angeles: pop. 93,000: see OXNARD [< (San Buena)ventura (the official name) < Sp, lit., saint of good fortune]

venture (ven´chэr) •n. 1 a risky or dangerous undertaking; esp., a business enterprise in which there is danger of loss as well as chance for profit 2 something on which a risk is taken, as the merchandise in a commercial enterprise or a stake in gambling 3 chance; fortune: now only in at a venture, by mere chance; at random •vt. -tured, -tur·ing 1 to expose to danger or risk {to venture one's life} 2 to expose (money, merchandise, etc.) to chance of loss 3 to undertake the risk of; brave {to venture a storm} 4 to express at the risk of criticism, objection, denial, etc. {to venture an opinion} •vi. to do or go at some risk ven´tur·er •n. [ME, aphetic for aventure: see ADVENTURE]

venture capital funds invested or available for investment at considerable risk of loss in potentially highly profitable enterprises

venturesome (-sэm) •adj. 1 inclined to venture, or take chances; daring 2 involving danger or risk; risky; hazardous ven´ture·some·ly •adv. ven´ture·some·ness •n.

venturi (tube) (ven tur´i:) a short tube with a constricted, throatlike passage that increases the velocity and lowers the pressure of a fluid conveyed through it: used to measure the flow of a fluid, to operate instruments, as in aircraft, to regulate the mixture in a carburetor, etc. [after G. B. Venturi (1746-1822), It physicist]

venturous (ven´chэr эs) •adj. VENTURESOME ven´tur·ous·ly •adv. ven´tur·ous·ness •n.

venue (ven´yu:') •n. 1 Law a) the county or locality in which a cause of action occurs or a crime is committed b) the county or locality in which a jury is drawn and a case tried c) that part of a declaration in an action that designates the county in which the trial is to occur d) [Rare] the clause in an affidavit designating the place where it was sworn to 2 the scene or locale of a large gathering, as for a sports event or rock concert change of venue Law the substitution of another place of trial, as when the jury or court is likely to be prejudiced [ME < OFr, a coming, arrival, approach < venir, to come < L venire, COME]

venule (ven´yu:l') •n. 1 Anat. a small vein; veinlet 2 Biol. any of the small branches of a vein in a leaf or in the wing of an insect ven´u·lar (-yu: lэr) •adj. ven´u·lose' (-yu: lous') •adj. [L venula, dim. of vena, vein]

Venus (vi:´nэs) 1 Rom. Myth. the goddess of love and beauty: identified with the Greek Aphrodite 2 the brightest, sixth-largest planet in the solar system and the second in distance from the sun, with a dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide and a very high surface temperature: diameter, c. 12,100 km (c. 7,520 mi.); period of revolution, c. 225 earth days; period of rotation (retrograde), 243.01 earth days; symbol, ♀ •n. pl. -nus·es 1 a statue or image of Venus 2 a very beautiful woman [ME < L, lit., love < IE *wenos, desire < base *wen-, to strive for, attain > OE wine, friend, winnan, to WIN]

Venus' flytrap a white-flowered swamp plant (Dionaea muscipula) of the sundew family, native to the Carolinas, having sensitive leaves with two hinged blades that snap shut, often trapping insects

Venusberg (vi:´nэs børg'; Ger vei´nus beřk') Medieval Legend a mountain somewhere in Germany where Venus held court in a cavern, enticing travelers, who became reluctant to leave [Ger, Venus mountain]

Venus'-hair (vi:´nэs her') •n. a maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) of tropical America and the S U.S.

Venusian (vi nu:´shэn, -zhэn, -zi: эn) •adj. of the planet Venus •n. an inhabitant of the planet Venus, as in science fiction

ver 1 verse(s) 2 version

Vera (vir´э) a feminine name [< L vera, fem. of verus, true: see VERY]

veracious (vэ rei´shэs) •adj. 1 habitually truthful; honest 2 true; accurate ve·ra´cious·ly •adv. ve·ra´cious·ness •n. [< L verax, speaking truly < verus, true: see VERY]

veracity (vэ ræs´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 habitual truthfulness; honesty 2 accordance with truth; accuracy of statement 3 accuracy or precision, as of perception 4 that which is true; truth SYN. TRUTH [ML veracitas, truthfulness < L verax: see VERACIOUS]

Veracruz (ver'э kru:z´; Sp ve'řä křu:s´) 1 state of Mexico, on the E coast: 27,759 sq. mi. (71,895 sq. km); pop. 5,387,000; cap. Jalapa 2 seaport in this state: pop. 305,000 [Sp, lit., true cross]

veranda or verandah (vэ ræn´dэ) •n. an open porch or portico, usually roofed, along the outside of a building [Anglo-Ind < Hindi & Beng < Port varanda, balcony < vara, pole, staff < L, wooden trestle, forked stick (for spreading out nets) < IE base *wa-, to bend apart > VACILLATE, VARY]

veratridine (vэ ræt´rэ di:n', -din) •n. an irritating, poisonous amorphous alkaloid, C36H51NO11, found in sabadilla seeds [< L veratrum, hellebore (see VERATRINE) + -ID(E) + -INE³]

veratrine (ver´э tri:n', -trin) •n. 1 a poisonous mixture of colorless, crystalline alkaloids obtained from sabadilla seeds 2 VERATRIDINE Also ve·ra·tri·a (vэ rei´tri: э) [ModL veratrina < L veratrum, hellebore, prob. orig. plant which reveals truth < verus, true (see VERY): the pulverized root causes sneezing, regarded in primitive belief as confirmation of truth]

veratrum (vэ rei´trэm) •n. 1 HELLEBORE (sense 2) 2 the dried rhizomes of certain hellebores, once used in medicine [L: see VERATRINE]

verb (vørb) •n. any of a class of words expressing action, existence, or occurrence, or used as an auxiliary or copula, and usually constituting the main element of a predicate (Ex.: give, build, run, be, happen, do, have, would, seem) [ME verbe < OFr < L verbum, WORD (used as transl. of Gr rhēma, verb, orig., word)]

verbal (vør´bэl) •adj. 1 of, in, or by means of words {a verbal image} 2 concerned merely with words, as distinguished from facts, ideas, or actions 3 in speech; oral rather than written {a verbal contract} 4 [Now Rare] word for word; verbatim {a verbal translation} 5 Gram. a) of, or made up of, verbs {a verbal auxiliary} b) of, having the nature of, or derived from a verb {a verbal noun} c) used to form verbs {-ate is a verbal suffix} •n. 1 Gram. a verbal noun or some other word, as an adjective, derived from a verb: in English, gerunds, infinitives, and participles are verbals 2 Linguis. a word or word group that occurs in grammatical functions typical of verbs SYN. ORAL ver´bal·ly •adv. [LME < MFr < LL verbalis, of a word < verbum: see VERB]

verbal noun Gram. a noun or nominal derived from a verb and functioning in some respects like a verb: in English, it is either a noun ending in -ING (a gerund) or an infinitive (Ex.: walking is healthful, to err is human)

verbalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 a verbal expression; expression in one or more words; a word or phrase 2 words only, without any real meaning; mere verbiage 3 any virtually meaningless word or phrase

verbalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person skilled in verbal expression; one who uses words well 2 a person who places more importance on words than on the facts or ideas they convey ver'bal·is´tic •adj.

verbalize (vør´bэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi. 1 to be wordy, or verbose 2 to use words to express or communicate meaning •vt. 1 to express in words 2 to change (a noun, etc.) into a verb ver'bal·i·za´tion •n. ver´bal·iz'er •n. [< Fr verbaliser: see VERBAL & -IZE]

verbatim (vэr beit´эm) •adv. word for word; in exactly the same words •adj. following the original word for word {a verbatim account} [LME < ML < L verbum, WORD]

verbena (vэr bi:´nэ) •n. any of a genus (Verbena) of plants of the verbena family, with spikes or clusters of showy red, white, or purplish flowers, widely grown for ornament •adj. designating a family (Verbenaceae, order Lamiales) of mostly tropical, American, dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, and trees, including vervain, lantana, and teak [ModL < L, foliage, branches, vervain < IE *werb-, to turn, bend < base *wer- > WORM]

verbiage (vør´bi: ij') •n. 1 an excess of words beyond those needed to express concisely what is meant; wordiness 2 style of expression; diction [Fr < OFr verbier, to speak, chatter < verbe: see VERB]

verbid (vør´bid) Gram. a word or form, as a gerund, infinitive, or participle, that functions in part as a verb, as in taking an object, but cannot form a syntactically complete sentence (Ex.: watching television can be tiring) •n. [VERB + -ID]

verbify (-bэ fai') -fied', -fy¿ing •vt. VERBALIZE (vt. 2)

verbose (vэr bous´) •adj. using or containing too many words; wordy; long-winded; prolix SYN. WORDY ver·bose´ly •adv. ver·bos´i·ty (-bäs´э ti:) or ver·bose´ness •n. [L verbosus, full of words < verbum, WORD]

verboten (feř bout´ªn) •adj. forbidden; prohibited [Ger]

verbum sat sapienti (est) (vør´bэm sæt sæp'i: en´tai est´) a word to the wise (is) enough: often shortened to ver·bum sap (vør´bэm sæp´) [L]

Vercingetorix (vør'sin jet´эr iks, -get´-) c. 72-c. 46 B.C.; Gallic chieftain defeated by Julius Caesar

verd antique (vørd) 1 a green mottled or veined marble, used for interior decoration 2 any of various green porphyritic rocks 3 VERDIGRIS (sense 2) [older form of Fr vert antique < OFr verd, green + antique, ancient: see VERT & ANTIQUE]

verdant (vørd´ªnt) •adj. 1 green 2 covered with green vegetation 3 inexperienced; immature {verdant youth} ver´dan·cy (-dªn si:) •n. ver´dant·ly •adv. [prob. VERD(URE) + -ANT, based on MFr verdoyant < OFr verdoiant, prp. of verdoier, to be green < verd, green: see VERT]

Verde (vørd), Cape promontory on the coast of Senegal: westernmost point of Africa

verderer or verderor (vør´dэr эr) •n. in medieval England, a judicial officer who maintained law and order in the king's forests [Anglo-Fr verderer, extended < verder < OFr verdier < verd, green: see VERT]

Verdi (veř´di:), Giu·sep·pe (Fortunino Francisco) (ju: zep´pe) 1813-1901; It. operatic composer Ver´di·an (-эn) •adj.

verdict (vør´dikt) •n. 1 Law the formal finding of a judge or jury on a matter submitted to them in a trial 2 any decision or judgment [ME verdit < Anglo-Fr < ML veredictum, true saying, verdict < L vere, truly + dictum, a thing said: see VERY & DICTUM]

verdigris (vør´di gri:s', -gris) •n. 1 a green or greenish-blue poisonous compound, a basic acetate of copper, prepared by treating copper with acetic acid and used as a pigment, dye, etc. 2 a green or greenish-blue coating (false verdigris) that forms like rust on brass, bronze, or copper [ME vertegrez < MFr verdegris < OFr vert de Grece, lit., green of Greece < verd, green (see VERT) + de, of + Grece, Greece]

verdin (vør´din) •n. a small gray titmouse (Auriparus flaviceps), with a yellow head and a white breast, of the SW U.S. and N Mexico [Fr, yellowhammer]

verditer (vør´di tэr) •n. either of two basic copper carbonate pigments, the one (blue verditer) usually consisting of ground azurite, the other (green verditer) ground malachite [MFr verd de terre, lit., green of the earth < OFr verte + L terra: see VERT & TERRA]

Verdun (ver dûn´, vør-; Fr veř dëñ´) 1 city in NE France, on the Meuse River: scene of much battle in World War I: pop. 22,000 2 city on Montreal Island, SW Quebec, Canada: suburb of Montreal: pop. 62,000 [var. of Savardun, town in France, birthplace of an early settler]

verdure (vør´jэr) •n. 1 the fresh-green color of growing things; greenness 2 green growing plants and trees; green vegetation 3 vigorous or flourishing condition ver´dured •adj. [ME < OFr < verd, green < VL *virdis, for L viridis: see VERT]

verdurous (vør´jэr эs) •adj. 1 covered with or consisting of verdure 2 of or characteristic of verdure

Vereeniging (fэ rei´nэ giŋ) city in S Transvaal, South Africa: pop. 170,000

verge¹ (vørj) •n. 1 a) the edge, brink, or margin (of something) (also used figuratively) {the verge of the forest, on the verge of hysteria} b) [Brit., etc.] a grassy border, as along a road 2 a) an enclosing line or border; boundary, esp. of something more or less circular b) the area so enclosed 3 the edge of the tiling that projects over a gable 4 the spindle of a balance wheel in a clock with an old-style vertical escapement 5 a rod or staff symbolic of an office, as that carried before a church official in processions 6 Eng. Feudal Law a rod held in the hand by a feudal tenant as he swore fealty to his lord •vi. verged, verg´ing to be on the verge, edge, brink, or border usually with on or upon: also used figuratively [streets verging on the slum area, talk that verges on the ridiculous] [ME < OFr, rod, wand, stick, yard, hoop < L virga, twig, rod, wand < IE *wizga- < base *wei-, to bend, twist > WIRE, WHISK]

verge² (vørj) verged, verg´ing •vi. 1 to tend or incline (to or toward) 2 to be in the process of change or transition into something else; pass gradually (into) {dawn verging into daylight} [L vergere, to bend, turn < IE *werg- < base *wer-, to turn, bend > WARP, WORM]

verger (vør´jэr) •n. 1 a person who carries a verge before a bishop, dean, etc. in a procession 2 a church caretaker or usher [ME: see VERGE2 & -ER]

Vergil (vør´jэl) alt. sp. of VIRGIL Ver·gil´i·an (-jil´i: эn) •adj.

verglas (ver glä´) •n. a thin coating of ice on rock [Fr < MFr verreglaz < verre, glass (< L vitrum) + glaz, glace, ice: see GLACIER]

veridical (vэ rid´i kэl) •adj. 1 truthful; veracious 2 corresponding with reality or facts ve·rid'i·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) •n. [< L veridicus, speaking the truth < verus, truth + dicere, to speak: see VERY & DICTION]

veriest (ver´i: ist) •adj. 1 superl. of VERY (adj. 5) 2 [Rare] being such to the highest degree; utter {the veriest nonsense} [superl. of VERY, adj.]

verifiable (ver´э fai'э bэl) •adj. capable of verification; that can be proved to be true or accurate ver´i·fi'a·bly •adv.

verification (ver'э fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 a verifying or being verified; establishment or confirmation of the truth or accuracy of a fact, theory, etc. 2 Law a statement at the end of a pleading to the effect that the pleader is ready to prove his allegations ver'i·fi·ca´tion·al •adj. [MFr verificacion < ML verificatio]

verify (ver´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to prove to be true by demonstration, evidence, or testimony; confirm or substantiate 2 to test or check the accuracy or correctness of, as by investigation, comparison with a standard, or reference to the facts 3 Law a) to add a verification to (a pleading) b) to affirm on oath SYN. CONFIRM ver´i·fi'er •n. [ME verifien < MFr verifier < ML verificare, to make true < L verus, true (see VERY) + -ficare, -FY]

verily (ver´э li:) •adv. [Archaic] in very truth; truly [ME verrayly: see VERY & -LY²]

verisimilar (ver'э sim´э lэr) •adj. seeming to be true or real; plausible; likely [< L verisimilis < verus, true (see VERY) + similis, SIMILAR]

verisimilitude (ver'э si mil´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the appearance of being true or real 2 something having the mere appearance of being true or real SYN. TRUTH [L verisimilitudo < verisimilis: see VERISIMILAR]

verism (vir´iz'эm, ver´-) •n. realism or naturalism in the arts ver´ist •adj., n. ve·ris·tic (vi ris´tik) •adj. [It verismo < vero, true < L verus (see VERY) + -ISM]

verismo (vei ři:z´mô) •n. 1 VERISM 2 a style of opera dealing with the lives of common people and usually characterized by violent or tragic situations and highly dramatic performance [It: see VERISM]

veritable (ver´i tэ bэl) •adj. being such truly or in fact; actual {a veritable feast} ver´i·ta·bly •adv. [LME < OFr < verite, VERITY]

vérité (vei ři: tei´) •n. 1 short for CINÉMA VÉRITÉ 2 REALISM (sense 2) •adj. of or like cinéma vérité {a musical comedy vérité} [Fr, lit., truth]

verity (ver´э ti:) •n. 1 conformity to truth or fact; truth; reality 2 pl. -ties a principle, belief, etc. taken to be fundamentally and permanently true; a truth; a reality SYN. TRUTH [ME verite < OFr verite(t) < L veritas, truth < verus, true: see VERY]

verjuice (vør´ju:s') •n. 1 the sour, acid juice of green or unripe fruit, as of crab apples, grapes, etc. 2 sourness of temper, looks, etc. [ME vergeous < MFr verjus < vert, green (see VERT) + jus, JUICE]

Verlaine (veř len´), Paul (pôl) 1844-96; Fr. poet

Vermeer (vэř meř´; E vэr mir´), Jan (yän) 1632-75; Du. painter: also called Jan van der Meer van Delft

vermeil (vør´mil) •n. 1 [Obs. or Old Poet.] the color vermilion 2 gilded or gold-colored copper, bronze, or silver •adj. [Obs. or Old Poet.] vermilion [ME vermayle < OFr vermeil < LL(Ec) vermiculus, kermes < L, dim. of vermis, a WORM]

vermi- (vør´mэ) combining form worm {vermicide} [< L vermis, a WORM]

vermicelli (vør'mэ sel´i:, -chel´i:) •n. pasta like spaghetti, but in thinner strings [It, pl. of vermicello, lit., little worm < L vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a WORM]

vermicide (vørm´э said') •n. a drug or other agent used to kill worms, esp. intestinal worms [VERMI- + -CIDE]

vermicular (vэr mik´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 a) suggestive of a worm or worms in shape or movement b) covered with irregularly twisting lines, ridges, or indentations suggestive of worm tracks 2 a) of or having to do with worms b) formed or caused by worms [ModL vermicularis: see VERMICULATE & -AR]

vermiculate (vэr mik´yэ leit'; for adj., usually, -lit) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to make vermicular; esp., to cover, as by inlaying, with vermicular markings or traceries •adj. VERMICULAR: also ver·mic´u·lat'ed (-leit'id) [< L vermiculatus, pp. of vermiculari, to be full of worms < vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a WORM]

vermiculation (vэr mik'yэ lei´shэn) •n. 1 a vermiculating or being vermiculated 2 vermicular markings 3 movement marked by alternate contraction and dilation, as in peristalsis [L vermiculatio: see VERMICULATE]

vermiculite (vэr mik´yэ lait') •n. any of a number of hydrous silicate minerals resulting usually from alterations of mica and occurring in tiny, leafy scales that expand greatly when heated: used for insulation, water adsorption, etc. [< L vermiculus, dim. of vermis, WORM + -ITE¹]

vermiform (vørm´э förm') •adj. shaped like a worm [VERMI- + -FORM]

vermiform appendix the appendix extending from the cecum of the large intestine

vermiform process Anat. 1 the median lobe of the cerebellum 2 VERMIFORM APPENDIX

vermifuge (vørm´э fyu:j') •adj. serving to expel worms and other parasites from the intestinal tract •n. a vermifuge drug [VERMI- + -FUGE]

vermilion (vэr mil´yэn) •n. 1 a) bright-red mercuric sulfide, used as a pigment b) any of several other red pigments resembling this 2 a bright red or scarlet •adj. of the color vermilion [ME < OFr vermillon < vermeil, bright-red: see VERMEIL]

vermin (vør´mэn) pl. -min •n. 1 [pl.] various insects, bugs, or small animals regarded as pests because destructive, disease-carrying, etc., as flies, lice, rats, or weasels 2 [pl.] [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] birds or animals that kill game 3 a) a vile, loathsome person b) [pl.] such persons collectively [ME < OFr vermine < L vermis, a WORM]

vermination (vør´mi nei´shэn) •n. [Archaic] infestation with, or the spreading of, vermin [L verminatio]

verminous (vør´mэ nэs) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or resembling vermin 2 infested with vermin 3 caused or produced by vermin [L verminosus]

Vermont (vэr mänt´) New England State of the U.S.: admitted, 1791; 9,609 sq. mi. (24,887 sq. km); pop. 563,000; cap. Montpelier: abbrev. VT or Vt Ver·mont´er •n. [< Fr Verd Mont (1647), green mountain]

vermouth (vэr mu:θ´) •n. a sweet or dry, white fortified wine flavored with aromatic herbs, used in cocktails and as an aperitif [Fr vermout < Ger wermut, WORMWOOD]

vernacular (vэr næk´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 using the native language of a country or place {a vernacular writer} 2 commonly spoken by the people of a particular country or place {a vernacular, as distinguished from the literary, dialect} 3 of or in the native language 4 native to a country or region {the vernacular arts of Brittany} 5 designating or of the common name of an animal or plant, as distinguished from the scientific name in Modern Latin taxonomic classification •n. 1 the native language or dialect of a country or place 2 the common, everyday language of ordinary people in a particular locality 3 the shoptalk or idiom of a profession or trade 4 a) a vernacular word or term b) the vernacular name of an animal or plant SYN. DIALECT ver·nac´u·lar·ly •adv. [< L vernaculus, belonging to home-born slaves, indigenous < verna, a native slave prob. < Etr *versna, hearth < verse, fire]

vernacularism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 a vernacular word, phrase, or usage 2 the use of vernacular language

vernal (vørn´эl) •adj. 1 of, pertaining to, or appearing or occurring in, the spring 2 springlike; fresh, warm, and mild 3 fresh and young; youthful ver´nal·ly •adv. [L vernalis < vernus, belonging to spring < ver, spring < IE base *wesr, spring > Sans vasanta, OSlav vesna, spring]

vernalize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to stimulate the growth and flowering of (a plant) by artificially shortening the dormant period ver'nal·i·za´tion •n. [prec. + -IZE]

vernation (vэr nei´shэn) •n. Bot. the arrangement of leaves in a leaf bud [ModL vernatio < pp. of L vernare, to be verdant < ver, spring: see VERNAL]

Verne (vørn; Fr veřn), Jules (ju:lz; Fr zhül) 1828-1905; Fr. novelist

Verner's law (vør´nэrz, ver´-) an explanation for a series of apparent exceptions to Grimm's law, stating that the Proto-Germanic word-medial voiceless spirants (f, θ, h, s), derived from the Proto-Indo-European voiceless stops (p, t, k) and voiceless spirant (s), regularly became the voiced spirants (v, ð, g, z), respectively, and final (s) became (z), when the vowel immediately preceding these did not in Proto-Indo-European bear the principal accent of the word [formulated (1875) by Karl Verner (1846-96), Dan philologist]

vernier (vør´ni: эr, -nir) •n. 1 a short graduated scale that slides along a longer graduated instrument and is used to indicate fractional parts of divisions, as in a micrometer: also vernier scale 2 any device that makes possible a finer setting of a tool or measuring instrument •adj. of or fitted with a vernier [after Pierre Vernier (1580-1637), Fr mathematician who invented it]

vernissage (veř ni: säzh´) pl. -sages´ (-säzh´) •n. the opening, or first showing, of an art exhibit [Fr, lit., varnishing (see VARNISH & -AGE): in allusion to the former practice of varnishing paintings before exhibiting]

Vernon (vør´nэn) a masculine name [< the surname Vernon, prob. after Vernon, a town in France]

Verona (vэ rou´nэ; It ve řô´nä) commune in Veneto, N Italy: pop. 266,000 Ver·o·nese (ver'э ni:z´), pl. -nese´ (-ni:z´), •adj., n.

Veronal (ver´э nэl) trademark for BARBITAL [Ger: so named (1903) by the inventor, E. Fischer (1852-1919), Ger chemist who was about to leave on a trip to VERONA]

Veronese (ve'řô ne´se; E ver'э ni:z´), Pa·o·lo (pä´ô lô') (born Paolo Cagliari) 1528-88; Venetian painter, born in Verona

Veronica (vэ rän´i kэ) 1 a feminine name 2 Saint woman of Jerusalem who, according to legend, wiped the bleeding face of Jesus on the way to Calvary: her day is July 12 •n. 1 [often v-] a) the image of Jesus' face said in legend to have appeared on the veil or handkerchief used by Saint Veronica to wipe the bleeding face of Jesus b) a cloth or garment with a similar representation of Jesus' bleeding face 2 [v-] SPEEDWELL [ModL] 3 [v-] Bullfighting a move in which the matador holds a cape out and pivots slowly as the bull charges past it [ML < Gr Pherenikē: see BERNICE]

Verrazano (veř'řä tsä´nô), Gio·van·ni da (jô vän´ni: dä) c. 1480-c. 1527; It. explorer in the service of France: also sp. Ver'raz·za´no

Verrocchio (veř řôk´kyô), An·dre·a del (än dře´ä del) (born Andrea di Michele di Francesco di Cioni) 1435-88; Florentine sculptor and painter

verruca (vэ ru:´kэ) pl. -cae (-si:) •n. 1 WART 2 a wartlike elevation, as on a toad's back ver·ru·cose (ver´u kous') or ver´ru·cous (-kэs) •adj. [L, WART]

vers de société (veř´ dэ sô syei tei´) witty, polished light verse [Fr, verse of society]

vers libre (veř li:´břª) FREE VERSE [Fr]

Versailles (vэr sai´, -seilz; Fr veř sä´yª) city in NC France, near Paris: site of a palace built by Louis XIV: the Allies & Germany signed a peace treaty here (1919) ending World War I: pop. 95,000

versant (vør´sэnt) •n. 1 the slope of a mountain or mountain chain 2 the general slope, or declination, of a region [Fr < L versans, prp. of versare: see VERSATILE]

versatile (vør´sэ tэl; chiefly Brit, -tail') •adj. 1 a) competent in many things; able to turn easily from one subject or occupation to another; many-sided b) adaptable to many uses or functions 2 [Rare] a) that can be turned or moved around, as on a hinge or pivot b) fickle; inconstant 3 Bot. turning about freely on the filament to which it is attached, as an anther 4 Zool. a) moving forward or backward, as the toes of a bird b) movable in any direction, as the antenna of an insect ver´sa·tile·ly •adv. ver'sa·til´i·ty (-til´э ti:) •n. [Fr < L versatilis, that turns around, movable, versatile < versatus, pp. of versare, to turn often, freq. of vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

verse (vørs) •n. 1 a sequence of words arranged metrically in accordance with some rule or design; single line of poetry 2 a) metrical writing or speaking, esp. when light or trivial or merely metered and rhymed, but without much serious content or artistic merit b) a particular form of poetic composition {free verse, trochaic verse} 3 a) a single metrical composition; poem b) a body of poetry, as of a specific writer or period 4 a stanza or similar short subdivision of a metrical composition, sometimes specif. as distinguished from the chorus or refrain 5 any of the single, usually numbered, short divisions of a chapter of the Bible, generally a sentence •vt., vi. versed, vers´ing [Now Rare] VERSIFY [ME vers < OE fers & OFr vers, both < L versus, a turning, verse, line, row, pp. of vertere, to turn < IE *wert-, to turn < base *wer- > WARP, WORM, -WARDS]

versed (vørst) •adj. acquainted by experience and study; skilled or learned (in a specified subject) [< L versatus, pp. of versari, to be occupied with < versus: see VERSE]

versed sine Trigonometry 1 minus the cosine of a given angle [< ModL versus < L, pp. of vertere, to turn (see VERSE) + -ED]

versicle (vør´si kэl) •n. a short verse or verse part, usually of a Psalm, used esp. in antiphonal prayer [ME < L versiculus, dim. of versus]

versicolor (vør´si kûl'эr) •adj. 1 having many colors; variegated 2 changing in color; iridescent [L < versare, to change (see VERSATILE) + color, COLOR]

versification (vør´sэ fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of versifying 2 the art, practice, or theory of poetic composition 3 the form or style of a poem; metrical structure 4 a metrical version, as of a story, prose work, etc. [L versificatio]

versifier (vør´sэ fai'эr) •n. 1 a person who versifies; poet 2 a writer of mediocre verse; poetaster

versify (-fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vi. to compose verses •vt. 1 to tell about, treat of, or describe in verse 2 to put into verse form [ME versifien < MFr versifier < L versificare < versus: see VERSE & -FY]

version (vør´zhэn, -shэn) •n. 1 a) a translation b) [often V-] a translation of the Bible, in whole or part {the Douay and King James versions} 2 an account showing one point of view; particular description or report given by one person or group {the two versions of the accident} 3 a particular form or variation of something, esp. as modified in a different art form {the movie version of the novel} 4 Med. a) displacement of the uterus in which it is deflected but not bent upon itself b) the operation of turning the fetus during childbirth to make delivery easier SYN. TRANSLATION ver´sion·al •adj. [Fr < ML versio, a turning < L versus: see VERSE]

verso (vør´sou) pl. -sos •n. Printing 1 any left-hand page of a book 2 the back of a leaf Opposed to RECTO [ModL (folio) verso (the leaf) being turned < L, abl. of versus: see VERSE]

verst (vørst, verst; Russ vyôřst) •n. a former Russian unit of linear measure, equal to .663 mile (1.067 kilometers) [Russ vyersta < Old Russ virsta, the unit of measure, age < OSlav vrista, age]

versus (vør´sэs) •prep. 1 in contest against {plaintiff versus defendant} 2 in contrast with; by way of alternative to {peace versus war} [ML < L, toward, turned in the direction of < vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

vert (vørt) •n. 1 [Brit.] a) [Archaic] the green growth of a forest, as cover for deer b) [Historical] the right to cut green wood in a forest 2 Heraldry the color green: indicated in engravings by diagonal lines downward from dexter to sinister [ME verte < OFr < L viridis, green < virere, to be green] vert abbrev. vertical

vertebra (vør´tэ brэ) pl. -brae' (-bri:', -brei') •n.or -bras any of the single bones or segments of the spinal column, articulating in the higher vertebrates with those adjacent to it by means of elastic fibrous disks: see SKELETON, illus., SPINAL COLUMN, illus. [L, a joint, vertebra < vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

vertebral (-brэl) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, a vertebra or vertebrae 2 having or composed of vertebrae {vertebral column} [ModL vertebralis]

vertebrate (-brit, -breit') •adj. 1 having a backbone, or spinal column 2 of or belonging to the vertebrates •n. any of a large subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordate animals, including all mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, characterized by a brain enclosed in a brainpan and a segmented spinal column [L vertebratus < vertebra: see VERTEBRA]

vertebration (vør'tэ brei´shэn) •n. vertebral formation; segmentation into vertebrae

vertex (vør´teks') pl. -tex'es or -ti·ces' (-tэ si:z') •n. 1 the highest point; summit; apex, as the top point of the sun, moon, etc. above the horizon 2 Anat., Zool. the top or crown of the head 3 Geom. a) the point of intersection of the two sides of an angle b) a corner point of a triangle, square, cube, parallelepiped, or other geometric figure bounded by lines, planes, or lines and planes 4 Optics the point at the center of a lens at which the axis of symmetry intersects the curve of the lens [L, the top, properly the turning point < vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

vertical (vør´ti kэl) •adj. 1 of, at, or in the vertex or zenith 2 a) perpendicular, or at a right angle, to the plane of the horizon; upright, straight up or down, etc. b) at a right angle to the plane of the supporting surface 3 at, or made up of elements at, different levels, as of industrial production and distribution or of social status 4 Anat., Zool. of the vertex of the head 5 Biol. in the direction in which the axis lies; lengthwise •n. 1 a vertical line, plane, circle, etc. 2 upright position ver'ti·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) •n. ver´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Fr < LL verticalis < L vertex (gen. verticis): see VERTEX]

vertical circle Astron. any great circle of the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and the nadir and perpendicular to the horizon

vertical union INDUSTRIAL UNION

vertices (vør´tэ si:z') •n. alt. pl. of VERTEX

verticil (vør´tэ sil') •n. Bot. a circular arrangement of leaves or flowers around a stem; whorl [ModL verticillus < L, a whirl, dim. of vertex: see VERTEX]

verticillaster (vør'tэ si læs´tэr) •n. Bot. an almost circular flower arrangement formed by a pair of dichasia facing each other on the stem, as in some mints [ModL: see VERTICIL & -ASTER¹]

verticillate (vэr tis´эl it, -eit'; vør'tэ sil´eit') Bot. arranged in or having verticils: also ver·tic´il·lat'ed •adj. ver·tic'il·la´tion •n. [ModL verticillatus < verticillus]

vertiginous (vэr tij´э nэs) •adj. 1 of, affected by, or causing vertigo; dizzy or dizzying 2 whirling about; spinning 3 marked by quick or frequent change; unstable ver·tig´i·nous·ly •adv. [L vertiginosus]

vertigo (vør´ti gou') pl. -goes' or ver·tig·i·nes (vэr tij´э ni:z') •n. Med. a condition in which one has the feeling of whirling or of having the surroundings whirling about one, so that one tends to lose one's balance; dizziness [L, dizziness < vertere: see VERSE]

vertu (vэr tu:´, vør´tu:') •n. alt. sp. of VIRTU

Vertumnus (vэr tûm´nэs) Rom. Myth. the god of the changing seasons and of growing flowers and fruits, husband of Pomona [L, altered (infl. by vertere, to turn) < Vortumnus, of Etr orig.]

Verulam (ver´yu: lэm), Baron see BACON, Francis

vervain (vør´vein') •n. any of a number of verbenas; esp., a) the European vervain (Verbena officinalis), formerly used in folk medicine b) any of several species of North American verbena, not generally cultivated •adj. VERBENA [ME verveine < OFr < L verbena: see VERBENA]

verve (vørv) •n. 1 vigor and energy, as in movement, portrayal, etc. 2 exuberant enthusiasm; spirit, dash, etc. 3 [Archaic] aptitude [Fr < OFr, caprice, fantasy, manner of speech < L verba, pl. of verbum, WORD]

vervet (vør´vit) •n. a small guenon monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus) found in E and S Africa [Fr < ? vert, green + grivet, GRIVET]

very (ver´i:) •adj. 1 in the fullest sense; complete; absolute {the very opposite of the truth} 2 same; identical {the very hat he lost} 3 being just what is needed or suitable {the very sofa to fit into the space} 4 actual [caught in the very act]: often used as an intensive [the very rafters shook] 5 ver´i·er, ver´i·est [Archaic] a) real; true; genuine b) legitimate; lawful; rightful •adv. 1 in a high degree; to a great extent; extremely; exceedingly: used as a qualifier before an adjective or another adverb 2 truly; really: used as an intensive {the very same man} SYN. SAME [ME verai, true < OFr < VL *veraius < L verus, true < IE *weros, true < base *wer-, to be friendly, true > Ger wahr, true, OE wær, a compact]

very high frequency any radio frequency between 30 and 300 megahertz

very low frequency any radio frequency between 10 and 30 kilohertz

Very signal (or light) (ver´i:, vir´i:) a colored flare fired from a special pistol (Very pistol) for signaling at night [after E. W. Very (1847-1910), U.S. ordnance expert, who invented it]

Vesalius (vi sei´li: эs), An·dre·as (æn´dri: эs) 1514-64; Fl. anatomist in Italy, Spain, etc.

vesica (vi sai´kэ) pl. -cae (-si:) •n. a bladder, esp. a urinary bladder [L]

vesical (ves´i kэl) •adj. of a bladder, esp. the urinary bladder [ModL vesicalis < L vesica, bladder]

vesicant (ves´i kэnt) •adj. causing blisters •n. a vesicant agent; specif., in chemical warfare, any agent, as mustard gas, used to blister and burn body tissues by contact with the skin or lungs Also ves´i·ca·to'ry (-kэ tör'i:) pl. -to'ries •adj., n. [< L vesica, a blister, bladder]

vesicate (-keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt., vi. to blister ves'i·ca´tion •n. [< L vesica, bladder, blister]

vesicle (ves´i kэl) •n. 1 a small, membranous cavity, sac, or cyst; specif., a) Anat., Med. a small cavity or sac filled with fluid; esp., a small, round elevation of the skin containing a serous fluid; blister b) Bot. a small, bladderlike sac filled with air or liquid 2 Geol. a small, spherical cavity in volcanic rock, produced by bubbles of air or gas in the molten rock [< Fr or L: Fr vésicule < L vesicula, dim. of vesica, bladder]

vesico- (ves´i kou, -kэ) combining form 1 bladder {vesicotomy} 2 bladder and {vesicouterine} [< L vesica, bladder]

vesicular (vэ sik´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 of, composed of, or having vesicles 2 having the form or structure of a vesicle [ModL vesicularis]

vesiculate (-lit; for v., -leit') •adj. VESICULAR •vt., vi. -lat'ed, -lat'ing to make or become vesicular ve·sic'u·la´tion •n.

Vespasian (ves pei´zhэn, -zhi: эn) (L. name Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus) A.D. 9-79; Rom. emperor (69-79): father of Domitian & Titus

vesper (ves´pэr) •n. 1 a) orig., evening b) [V-] [Old Poet.] EVENING STAR 2 [often V-][pl., usually with sing. v.] a) R.C.Ch. the sixth of the seventh canonical hours; evening prayer b) Anglican Ch. EVENSONG •adj. 1 of evening 2 of vespers [ME, evening star < L vesper, masc., vespera, fem., evening < IE *wesperos (prob. < *we-: see WEST) > Gr hesperos]

vesper sparrow a gray-brown North American sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) with white outer tail feathers: so called from its practice of singing in the evening

vesperal (-эl) •adj. [Rare] of evening or vespers •n. Eccles. 1 a book containing the chants, psalms, etc. used at vespers 2 a cloth cover for protecting the altar cloth between services [LL vesperalis < L vespera]

vespertilionid (ves'pэr til´i: э nid') •n. any of a large family (Vespertilionidae) of long-tailed bats that are widely distributed, esp. in temperate regions, including most of the small, insect-eating species [< ModL Vespertilionidae < L vespertilio (gen. vespertilionis), a bat (< vesper, evening: see VESPER) + -ID]

vespertine (ves´pэr tin, -tain') •adj. 1 of or occurring in the evening 2 Bot. opening or blossoming in the evening 3 Zool. becoming active or flying in the early evening: cf. CREPUSCULAR (sense 2) Also ves·per·ti·nal (ves'pэr tai´nªl) [L vespertinus < vesper: see VESPER]

vespiary (ves´pi: er'i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. a nest or colony of social wasps [< L vespa, WASP + (AP)IARY]

vespid (ves´pid) •n. any of a worldwide family (Vespidae) of social wasps, as the hornet and yellow jacket, that live in colonies consisting of a queen, males, and workers •adj. of these wasps [< ModL Vespidae < L vespa, WASP]

vespine (ves´pain, -pin) •adj. of, pertaining to, or like wasps [< L vespa, WASP + -INE¹]

Vespucci (ves pu:t´chi:), A·me·ri·go (ä'me ři:´gô) (L. name Americus Vespucius) 1454-1512; It. navigator & explorer: see AMERICA (etym.)

vessel (ves´эl) •n. 1 a utensil for holding something, as a vase, bowl, pot, kettle, etc. 2 Bible a person thought of as being the receiver or repository of some spirit or influence {a vessel of wrath} 3 a boat or ship, esp. a relatively large one 4 a) Anat., Zool. a tube or duct containing or circulating a body fluid {a blood vessel} b) Bot. a continuous, water-conducting tube in the xylem, composed of a vertical row of single-cell segments whose end walls have disappeared [ME < OFr vaissel < LL vascellum, dim. of L vas, vessel]

vest (vest) •n. 1 a) a short, tightfitting, sleeveless garment worn, esp. under a suit coat, by men b) a similar garment worn by women c) an insert or trimming worn under the bodice by women, simulating the front of a man's vest 2 a) a calf-length, cassocklike garment worn by men in the time of Charles II b) [Rare] any long robe 3 a) a girl's undershirt b) [Chiefly Brit.] any undershirt 4 [Obs.] vesture; clothing •vt. [ME vesten < OFr vestir < L vestire < the n.] 1 to dress, as in church vestments; clothe 2 to place (authority, power, property rights, etc.) in the control of a person or group (with in) 3 to put (a person) in possession or control of, as power or authority; invest (with something) •vi. 1 to put on garments or vestments; clothe oneself 2 to pass to a person; become vested (in a person), as property [Fr veste < It < L vestis, garment < IE base *wes-, to clothe > OE werian, to WEAR¹]

Vesta (ves´tэ) Rom. Myth. the goddess of the hearth, identified with the Greek Hestia •n. [v-] 1 orig., a short, wax friction match 2 later, a short wooden match [L, prob. akin to Gr Hestia, lit., hearth]

vestal (ves´tэl) •adj. 1 of or sacred to Vesta 2 of the vestal virgins 3 chaste; pure •n. 1 short for VESTAL VIRGIN 2 a chaste woman; specif., a virgin

vestal virgin in ancient Rome, any of a small group of virgin priestesses of Vesta, who, sworn to remain chaste, tended the sacred fire in her temple

vested (ves´tid) •adj. 1 clothed; robed, esp. in church vestments 2 including a VEST (n. 1a): said of a man's suit 3 Law not contingent upon anything; fixed; settled; absolute {a vested right} [pp. of VEST]

vested interest 1 an established right that cannot be eliminated, as to some future benefit 2 close involvement in promoting personal advantage 3 [pl.] a number of groups cooperating or competing in pursuing selfish goals and exerting controlling influence, esp. the powerful persons and groups that own and control industry, business, etc.

vestee (ves ti:´) •n. VEST (n. 1c)

vestiary (ves´ti: er'i:) •adj. [Rare] of clothes or vestments •n. pl. -ar'ies a supply room for clothing, as in a monastery [ME < OFr vestiairie: see VESTRY]

vestibule (ves´tэ byu:l') •n. 1 a small entrance hall or room, either to a building or to a larger room Æ 2 the enclosed passage between passenger cars of a train, with doors for entrance or exit 3 Anat., Zool. any cavity or space serving as an entrance to another cavity or space {the vestibule of the inner ear leads into the cochlea} ves·tib·u·lar (ves tib´yэ lэr) •adj. [Fr < L vestibulum, entrance hall]

vestige (ves´tij) •n. 1 a trace, mark, or sign of something that once existed but has passed away or disappeared {vestiges of the ancient wall} 2 a trace; bit {not a vestige of hope left} 3 Biol. a degenerate, atrophied, or rudimentary organ or part, more fully developed or functional in an earlier stage of development of the individual or species: also ves·tig·i·um (ves tij´i: эm), pl. -tig´i·a (-tij´i: э, -tij´э) ves·tig´i·al (-tij´i: эl, -tij´эl) •adj. ves·tig´i·al·ly •adv. [Fr < L vestigium, footprint]

vesting (ves´tiŋ) •n. the retention by an employee of all or part of pension rights regardless of change of employers, early retirement, etc.

vestment (vest´mэnt) •n. 1 a garment; robe; gown; esp., an official robe or gown 2 Eccles. any of the garments worn by officiants and their assistants, choir members, etc. during certain services and rites [ME vestement < OFr < L vestimentum < vestire, to clothe: see VEST]

vest-pocket (vest´päk'it) •adj. 1 small enough to fit into a vest pocket {a vest-pocket dictionary} 2 quite small or compact {a vest-pocket park}

vestry (ves´tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 a room in a church where the clergy put on their vestments and the sacred vessels are kept; sacristy 2 a room in a church or church building for prayer meetings, Sunday school, etc. 3 Anglican Ch., Episcopal Ch. a group of church members who manage the temporal affairs of the church 4 Anglican Ch. a) a meeting of such a group or of the parishioners in general b) the place for this [ME vestrie < OFr vestiarie < L vestiarium, wardrobe < vestis, garment: see VEST]

vestryman (-mэn) pl. -men •n. a member of a vestry

vesture (ves´chэr) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a) clothing; garments; apparel b) a covering; wrapper 2 Law everything growing on land except trees, as grass or grain •vt. -tured, -tur·ing [Archaic] to cover; clothe [OFr < VL vestitura < L vestire, to clothe: see VEST]

Vesuvian (vэ su:´vi: эn) •adj. of or like Mount Vesuvius; volcanic •n. [v-] an early type of match; fusee

vesuvianite (-э nait') •n. a glassy mineral, brown to green in color, a complex hydrated silicate of calcium and aluminum; idocrase [< prec. + -ITE¹]

Vesuvius (vэ su:´vi: эs) active volcano in S Italy, on the Bay of Naples: eruption of A.D. 79 destroyed Pompeii & Herculaneum: c. 4,000 ft. (1,220 m): It. name Ve·su·vio (ve zu:´vyô)

vet abbrev. 1 veteran 2 veterinarian 3 veterinary

vet¹ (vet) •n. short for VETERINARIAN •vt. vet´ted, vet´ting [Colloq.] 1 to examine or treat as a veterinarian does 2 to examine, investigate, or evaluate in a thorough or expert way •vi. [Colloq.] to work as a veterinarian

vet² (vet) •n. short for VETERAN

vetch (vech) •n. any of a number of leafy, climbing or trailing plants (esp. genus Vicia) of the pea family, grown chiefly for fodder and as a green manure [ME feche, veche < NormFr veche < L vicia, vetch < IE *weik- (< base *wei-, to bend > WEAK)]

vetchling (-liŋ) •n. any of a genus (Lathyrus) of tendril-climbing plants of the pea family [prec. + -LING¹]

veteran (vet´эr эn, ve´trэn) •adj. 1 experienced; practiced 2 designating or of a person who has served in the armed forces •n. 1 a) an old, experienced soldier, etc., esp. one who served in time of war b) any person who has served in the armed forces 2 a person of long experience in some occupation or position [L veteranus < vetus (gen. veteris), old < IE base *wet-, year > WETHER, Gr etos, year]

Veterans Administration a consolidated Federal agency that administers all laws governing benefits for veterans of the armed forces

Veterans Day a legal holiday in the U.S. honoring all veterans of the armed forces: observed (except 1971-77) on ARMISTICE DAY

Veterans of Foreign Wars an organization of U.S. veterans who have served in foreign wars: founded in 1899

veterinarian (vet'эr э ner´i: эn, ve'trэ-) •n. a person who practices veterinary medicine or surgery [< L veterinarius (see VETERINARY) + -AN]

veterinary (vet´эr э ner'i:, ve´trэ-) •adj. designating or of the branch of medicine dealing with the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries in animals, esp. domestic animals •n. pl. -nar'ies VETERINARIAN [L veterinarius, of beasts of burden < veterina, beasts of burden < veterinus, pertaining to beasts of burden < vetus (gen. veteris), old, in the sense beasts of a certain age: see VETERAN]

vetiver (vet´э vэr) •n. 1 an East Indian grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) whose roots yield a fragrant oil used in perfumes, cosmetics, etc. 2 its fibrous roots, also used for making screens, mats, etc. [Fr vétiver < Tamil vettivēru, lit., root that is dug up < vēr, root]

veto (vi:´tou) pl. -toes •n. 1 a) an order prohibiting some proposed or intended act; prohibition, esp. by a person in authority b) the power to prevent action by such prohibition 2 the constitutional right or power of a ruler or legislature to reject bills passed by another branch of the government Æ 3 in the U.S., a) the power of the President to refuse to sign a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless it is passed again (with a two-thirds majority) by both houses b) a similar power held by the governors of States c) the exercise of this power Æ 4 a document or message giving the reasons of the executive for rejecting a bill: also veto message 5 the power of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations to cast a negative vote, affirmative votes of all five being required to take action on other than procedural matters •vt. -toed, -to·ing 1 to prevent (a bill) from becoming law by a veto 2 to forbid; prohibit; refuse consent to ve´to·er •n. [L, I forbid < vetare, to forbid]

vex (veks) •vt. 1 to give trouble to, esp. in a petty or nagging way; disturb, annoy, irritate, etc. 2 to distress, afflict, or plague {vexed with rheumatism} 3 to keep bringing up, going over, or returning to (a matter difficult to solve) 4 [Obs.] to shake or toss about SYN. ANNOY vex´er •n. [ME vexen < MFr vexer, to vex, torment < L vexare, to shake, agitate < pp. stem of vehere, to carry: see WAY]

vexation (veks ei´shэn) •n. 1 a vexing or being vexed 2 something that vexes; cause of annoyance or distress [ME vexacion < MFr < L vexatio]

vexatious (-shэs) •adj. 1 characterized by or causing vexation; annoying, troublesome, etc. 2 Law instituted without real grounds, chiefly to cause annoyance to the defendant: said of legal actions vex·a´tious·ly •adv.

vexillary (vek´sэ ler'i:) •adj. 1 of an ensign or standard 2 Biol. of a vexillum •n. pl. -lar'ies in ancient Rome, a veteran soldier serving under a special standard [L vexillarius < vexillum: see VEXILLUM]

vexillate (vek´sэ lit, -leit') •adj. having a vexillum or vexilla

vexillology (vek'sil äl´э ji:) •n. the study of flags vex·il·lo·log·ic (vek sil'э läj´ik) •adj. vex'il·lol´o·gist •n. [< L vexillum (see VEXILLUM) + -O- + -LOGY]

vexillum (vek sil´эm) pl. -il´la (-э) •n. 1 in ancient Rome, a) a square flag, or standard, carried by troops b) a company of soldiers serving under one standard 2 a) Bot. STANDARD (n. 9a) b) Zool. VANE (sense 6a) [L, a standard, flag, dim. < base of velum: see VEIL]

vexing (veks´iŋ) •adj. that vexes vex´ing·ly •adv.

VFR Visual Flight Rules

VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars

VG Vicar-General

VHF or vhf very high frequency

VHS (vi:'eich'es´) trademark for an electronic system for recording video and audio information on videocassettes [v(ideo) h(ome) s(ystem)]

VI Virgin Islands vi intransitive verb

via (vai´э, vi:´э) •prep. 1 by a route passing through, along, or over; by way of {from Rome to London via Paris} 2 by means of; by the medium of {via airmail} [L, abl. sing. of via, a way < IE base *wei-, to go, strive toward > Gr ienai, to go, OE wath, a hunt, chase]

via media (vai´э mi:´di: э, vi:´э mei´-) a middle way; course between two extremes [L]

viable (vai´э bэl) •adj. 1 able to live; specif., a) having developed sufficiently within the uterus to be able to live and continue normal development outside the uterus {a premature but viable infant} b) able to take root and grow {viable seeds} 2 workable and likely to survive or to have real meaning, pertinence, etc. {a viable economy, viable ideas} vi'a·bil´i·ty •n. vi´a·bly •adv. [Fr, likely to live < vie, life < L vita: see VITAL]

viaduct (vai´э dûkt') •n. 1 a long bridge consisting of a series of short concrete or masonry spans supported on piers or towers, usually to carry a road or railroad over a valley, gorge, etc. 2 a similar structure of steel girders and towers [L via (see VIA) + (AQUE)DUCT]

vial (vai´эl) •n. a small vessel or bottle, usually of glass, for containing liquids; phial •vt. -aled or -alled, -al·ing or -al·ling to put or keep in or as in a vial [ME viole, var. of fiole < OFr < OProv fiola: see PHIAL]

viand (vai´эnd) •n. 1 an article of food 2 [pl.] food of various kinds; esp., choice dishes [ME vyaunde < OFr viande < VL *vivanda, for L vivenda, neut. pl. ger. of vivere, to live: see BIO-]

viaticum (vai æt´i kэm) pl. -ca (-kэ) or -cums •n. 1 a) in ancient Rome, money or supplies provided as traveling expenses to an officer on an official mission b) money or supplies for any journey 2 [often V-] the Eucharist as given to a dying person or to one in danger of death [L, provision for a journey < viaticus, of a way or road < via, a way: see VIA]

vibes (vaibz) •n.pl. 1 [Colloq.] VIBRAPHONE 2 [Slang] qualities in a person or thing that are thought of as being like vibrations which produce an emotional reaction in others [< VIBRATION]

vibist (vaib´ist) •n. [Colloq.] a person who plays a vibraphone

Viborg (vi:´bôř yª) Swed. name of VYBORG

vibraculum (vai bræk´yu: lэm) pl. -u·la (-lэ) •n. Zool. any of the specially modified zooids in a colony of bryozoans, with a whiplike, movable form vi·brac´u·lar •adj. [ModL, dim. < L vibrare, to VIBRATE]

vibraharp (vai´brэ härp') •n. VIBRAPHONE

vibrancy (vai´brэn si:) •n. a vibrant state or quality

vibrant (vai´brэnt) •adj. 1 quivering or vibrating, esp. in such a way as to produce sound 2 produced by vibration; resonant: said of sound 3 throbbing with life and activity; lively {vibrant streets} 4 vigorous, energetic, radiant, sparkling, vivacious, etc. {a vibrant woman} vi´brant·ly •adv. [L vibrans, prp. of vibrare, to VIBRATE]

vibraphone (vai´brэ foun') •n. a musical instrument resembling the marimba, but with electrically operated valves in the resonators, that produce a gentle vibrato vi·bra·phon'ist •n. [< fol. + -PHONE]

vibrate (vai´breit') -brat'ed, -brat'ing •vt. 1 to give off (light or sound) by vibration 2 to set in to-and-fro motion; oscillate 3 to cause to quiver •vi. 1 to swing back and forth; oscillate, as a pendulum 2 to move rapidly back and forth; quiver, as a plucked string 3 to resound: said of sounds 4 to be emotionally stirred; thrill 5 to waver or vacillate, as between two choices SYN. SWING [< L vibratus, pp. of vibrare, to vibrate, shake < IE *weib- (< base *wei-, to turn) > WIPE]

vibratile (vai´brэ til, -tail') •adj. 1 of or characterized by vibration 2 capable of vibrating or of being vibrated 3 having a vibratory motion vi'bra·til´i·ty (-til´э ti:) •n. [Fr < L vibratus (see VIBRATE) + -ile, -ILE]

vibration (vai brei´shэn) •n. 1 the action of vibrating; specif., a) movement back and forth, as of a pendulum; oscillation b) rapid rhythmic movement back and forth; quiver 2 vacillation or wavering, as between two choices or opinions Æ 3 [pl.] emotional qualities or supernatural emanations that are sensed or felt by another person or thing 4 Physics a) periodic, to-and-fro motion or oscillation of an object, as an elastic body or the particles of a fluid, when displaced from the rest position or position of equilibrium, as in transmitting sound b) a single, complete oscillation vi·bra´tion·al •adj. [L vibratio]

vibrative (vai´brэ tiv') •adj. VIBRATORY

vibrato (vi brät´ou, vi:-) pl. -tos •n. Music a pulsating effect, less extreme than a tremolo, produced by rapid alternation of a given tone with a barely perceptible variation in pitch, as by the slight oscillation of the finger on a violin string or by a slight wavering of the tone in singing [It, pp. of vibrare < L: see VIBRATE]

vibrator (vai´breit'эr) •n. something that vibrates or causes vibration; specif., a) the hammer of an electric bell b) a vibrating electrical device used in massage c) Electronics an electromagnetic device with contacts on a tuned, vibrating steel reed that periodically interrupt a steady direct current to generate a pulsating current

vibratory (vai´brэ tör'i:) •adj. 1 of, like, or causing vibration 2 vibrating or capable of vibration

vibrio (vib´ri: ou') pl. -ri·os' •n. any of a genus (Vibrio) of short, flagellate, Gram-negative bacteria shaped like a comma or the letter S: one species (V. comma) causes cholera [ModL < L vibrare, to shake: see VIBRATE]

vibrissa (vai bris´э) pl. -sae (-i:) •n. Anat., Zool. 1 any of the stiff hairs growing in or near the nostrils of certain animals and often serving as organs of touch, as a cat's whiskers 2 any of the bristlelike feathers growing near the mouth of certain insect-eating birds, as the whippoorwill [ModL < L vibrissae, pl., akin to vibrare, to VIBRATE]

viburnum (vai bør´nэm) •n. 1 any of a large genus (Viburnum) of shrubs or small trees of the honeysuckle family, with white flowers 2 the bark of several species of this plant, sometimes used in medicine [ModL < L, the wayfaring tree]

vic vicinity

vicar (vik´эr) •n. 1 a person who acts in place of another; deputy 2 Anglican Ch. a parish priest who is not a rector and receives a stipend instead of the tithes 3 Episcopal Ch. a minister in charge of a chapel 4 R.C.Ch. a) a church officer acting as a deputy of a bishop b) [V-] the pope, regarded as earthly representative of Christ (in full Vicar of (Jesus) Christ) vic´ar·ship' •n. [ME < OFr vicaire < L vicarius, orig., vicarious < *vix (gen. vicis), a change, alteration < IE *weik-, to bend, change: see WEAK]

vicar apostolic pl. vicars apostolic R.C.Ch. a titular bishop serving in a region lacking an established hierarchy

vicar forane (för´ein', fö rein´) R.C.Ch. DEAN (sense 1b) [VICAR + ML foraneus, outside the episcopal city, rural, for LL foranus: see FOREIGN]

vicarage (-ij) •n. 1 the residence of a vicar 2 the benefice or salary of a vicar 3 the position or duties of a vicar [ME vicerege: see VICAR & -AGE]

vicar-general (vik´эr jen´эr эl) pl. vic´ars-gen´er·al •n. 1 an administrative deputy, as of a bishop or of the general superior of a religious order, society, etc. 2 in English history, the title given to Thomas Cromwell as vicegerent of Henry VIII [ME vicare generale < ML vicarius generalis: see VICAR & GENERAL]

vicarial (vai ker´i: эl, vi-) •adj. 1 of a vicar 2 acting as a vicar 3 vicarious, or delegated {vicarial powers} [MFr]

vicariate (-it, -eit') •n. 1 the office or authority of a vicar 2 the district administered by a vicar Also vic·ar·ate (vik´эr it) [ML vicariatus < L vicarius]

vicarious (vai ker´i: эs, vi-; -kær´-) •adj. 1 a) taking the place of another thing or person; substitute; deputy b) held or handled by one person as the deputy of another; delegated {vicarious powers} 2 a) endured, suffered, or performed by one person in place of another {vicarious punishment} b) shared in or experienced by imagined participation in another's experience {a vicarious thrill} 3 Physiol. designating or of a function abnormally performed by other than the usual organ or part {vicarious menstruation} vi·car´i·ous·ly •adv. vi·car´i·ous·ness •n. [L vicarius, substituted: see VICAR]

vice- (vais) prefix one who acts in the place of; subordinate; deputy {vice-president, viceregal} [< L vice, in the place of another, abl. of *vix: see VICAR]

vice admiral U.S. Navy an officer ranking above a rear admiral and below an admiral vice admiralty

vice squad a division of the police department assigned to enforce laws relating to prostitution, gambling, etc.

vice versa (vai'sэ vør´sэ, vais' vør´-) the order or relation being reversed; conversely [L]

vice¹ (vais) •n. 1 a) an evil or wicked action, habit, or characteristic b) evil or wicked conduct or behavior; depravity or corruption c) prostitution d) [V-] in old English morality plays, a character, often a buffoon, representing a vice or vice in general 2 any trivial fault or failing, act of self-indulgence, etc. 3 a defect or flaw, as in a work of art 4 any physical or functional defect or imperfection of the body 5 a bad or harmful trick or habit, as of a horse or dog SYN. FAULT [ME < OFr < L vitium, vice, fault < IE base *wi-, apart, in two > WITH, Sans visu-, in opposite directions]

vice² (vai´si:, -sэ) •prep. in the place of; as the deputy or successor of [L: see VICE-]

vice³ (vais) •n., vt. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of VISE

vice-chairman (vais´cher´mэn) pl. -men •n. an assistant or deputy chairman

vice-chancellor (-chæn´sэ lэr) •n. 1 an official next in rank below a chancellor, as of a university, and authorized to act as the chancellor's deputy 2 Law a judge serving as assistant to a chancellor

vice-consul (-kän´sэl) •n. an officer who is subordinate to or a substitute for a consul vice´-con´su·lar •adj.

vicegerency (vais'jir´эn si:) pl. -cies •n. the office of, or district ruled by, a vicegerent

vicegerent (-jir´эnt) •n. a person appointed by another, esp. by a ruler, to exercise the latter's power and authority; deputy [ML vicegerens: see VICE- & GERENT]

vicenary (vis´э ner'i:) •adj. 1 of or consisting of twenty 2 using twenty as the basic unit of notation [L vicenarius < viceni, twenty each < viginti, twenty, orig. dual, lit., two tens < IE *wī-##t-i < *wi-, apart, two + *(d)##t- < *dé##, TEN]

vicennial (vai sen´i: эl) •adj. 1 happening every twenty years 2 lasting twenty years [LL vicennialis < L vicennium, period of twenty years < vicies, twenty times < viciens (< viginti: see VICENARY) + annus, year (see ANNUAL)]

Vicenza (vi: chen´tsä) commune in N Italy: pop. 115,000

vice-president (vais´prez´э dэnt) •n. 1 a) an officer next in rank below a president, acting during the president's absence or incapacity Æ b) [V- P-] the elected officer of this rank in the U.S. government, acting as president of the Senate and succeeding to the Presidency in the event of the President's death, incapacity, or removal (in this sense, usually Vice President) 2 any of several officers of a company, institution, etc., each in charge of a separate department Æ vice´-pres´i·den·cy •n. Æ vice´-pres'i·den´tial •adj.

viceregal (vais'ri:´gэl) •adj. of a viceroy vice're´gal·ly •adv. [VICE- + REGAL]

viceregent (-ri:´jэnt) •n. a deputy of a regent

vicereine (vais´rein') •n. 1 the wife of a viceroy 2 a woman viceroy [Fr < vice- (see VICE-) + reine, queen < L regina (see REGINA)]

viceroy (-roi') •n. 1 a person ruling a country, province, or colony as the deputy of a sovereign Æ 2 an American butterfly (Limenitis archippus) of striking orange-and-black coloring, much like the monarch butterfly, but smaller [MFr < vice- (see VICE-) + roy, king < L rex: see REGAL]

viceroyalty (vais'roi´эl ti:) pl. -ties the office or tenure of, or the area ruled by, a viceroy Also vice´roy·ship' •n. [< Fr vice-royauté < OFr vice-, VICE- + roialte: see ROYALTY]

Vichy (vish´i:, vi:´shi:; Fr vi: shi:´) city in central France: capital of unoccupied France (1940-44): pop. 31,000

Vichy (water) 1 a sparkling mineral water from springs at Vichy 2 a natural or processed water like this

vichyssoise (vi:'shi: swäz´, vish'i:-) •n. a smooth, thick soup made with potatoes, leeks, and cream, and usually served cold [Fr, orig. fem. of Vichyssois, of VICHY]

vicinage (vis´э nij') •n. 1 VICINITY 2 the people living in a particular neighborhood [ME vesinage < MFr visenage < veisin, near < VL *vecinus, for L vicinus: see VICINITY]

vicinal (-nэl) •adj. 1 neighboring; nearby 2 Mineralogy designating faces on a crystal that approximate or take the place of fundamental planes [L vicinalis < vicinus: see VICINITY]

vicinity (vэ sin´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being near or close by; nearness; proximity {two theaters in close vicinity} 2 the region or area surrounding a particular place; neighborhood in the vicinity of 1 near; close to (a place) 2 about; approximately (the amount, etc. specified) [L vicinitas < vicinus, near < vicus, group of houses, village: see ECO-]

vicious (vish´эs) •adj. 1 a) given to or characterized by vice; evil, corrupt, or depraved b) tending to deprave or corrupt; pernicious {vicious interests} c) harmful, unwholesome, or noxious {a vicious concoction} 2 ruined by defects, flaws, or errors; full of faults {a vicious argument} 3 having bad or harmful habits; unruly {a vicious horse} 4 malicious; spiteful; mean {a vicious rumor} 5 very intense, forceful, sharp, etc. {a vicious blow} vi´cious·ly •adv. vi´cious·ness •n. [ME < OFr vicieus < L vitiosus, full of faults, corrupt, vicious < vitium, VICE¹]

vicious circle 1 a situation in which the solution of one problem gives rise to another, but the solution of this, or of other problems rising out of it, brings back the first, often with greater involvement: also vicious cycle 2 a situation in which one disease or disorder results in another which in turn aggravates the first 3 Logic a) an argument which is invalid because its conclusion rests on a premise which itself depends on the conclusion b) the definition of a word by another which is in turn defined by the first

vicissitude (vi sis´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 a) a condition of constant change or alternation, as a natural process; mutability {the vicissitude of the sea} b) regular succession or alternation, as of night and day 2 [pl.] unpredictable changes or variations that keep occurring in life, fortune, etc.; shifting circumstances; ups and downs 3 a difficulty that is likely to occur, esp. one that is inherent in a situation SYN. DIFFICULTY vi·cis'si·tu´di·nar'y or vi·cis'si·tu´di·nous •adj. [Fr < L vicissitudo < *vix, a turn, change: see VICAR]

Vicki (vik´i:) a feminine name: var. Vicky, Vickie: see VICTORIA

Vicksburg (viks´børg') city in W Miss., on the Mississippi River: besieged by Grant in the Civil War (1863): pop. 21,000 [after Rev. Newitt Vick (?-1819), early settler]

Vico (vi:´kô), Gio·van·ni Bat·tis·ta (jô vän´ni: bät ti:s´tä) (also called Giambattista) 1668-1744; It. philosopher

vicomte (vi: köñt´) pl. -comtes´ (-köñt´) Fr. equivalent of VISCOUNT (sense 2) •n.

victim (vik´tэm) •n. 1 a person or animal killed as a sacrifice to a god in a religious rite 2 someone or something killed, destroyed, injured, or otherwise harmed by, or suffering from, some act, condition, or circumstance {victims of war} 3 a person who suffers some loss, esp. by being swindled [L victima, victim, beast for sacrifice < IE base *weik-, to separate > OE wig, idol, wicce, WITCH]

victimize (vik´tэm aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make a victim of; specif., a) to kill, destroy, etc. as or like a sacrificial victim b) to dupe or cheat vic'tim·i·za´tion •n. vic´tim·iz'er •n.

victimless crime (vik´tэm lis) a statutory crime, such as prostitution or gambling, regarded as having no clearly identifiable victim

Victor (vik´tэr) a masculine name: dim. Vic; fem. Victoria [L: see VICTOR] victor (vik´tэr) •n. the winner in a battle, struggle, etc. •adj. VICTORIOUS [ME < L < pp. of vincere, to conquer < IE base *weik-, vigorous or hostile display of force > OHG wic, battle, OE wigan, to fight]

Victor Emmanuel II 1820-78; king of Sardinia (1849-61) & 1st king of Italy (1861-78)

Victoria (vik tör´i: э) 1 a feminine name: dim. Vicki, Vicky, Vickie; equiv. Fr. Victoire, It. Vittoria, Sp. Vitoria 2 (born Alexandrina Victoria) 1819-1901; queen of Great Britain & Ireland (1837-1901): empress of India (1876-1901): granddaughter of George III •n. [v-] [after Queen Victoria] 1 a late-19th-cent. four-wheeled carriage for two passengers, with a folding top and high seat in front for the coachman 2 an early touring automobile with a folding top over the rear seat 3 any of a genus (Victoria) of South American waterlilies (family Nymphaeaceae) with platterlike leaves up to seven feet wide and large, night-blooming flowers [L, VICTORY] Victoria (vik tör´i: э) 1 state of Australia, in the SE part: 87,884 sq. mi. (227,619 sq. km); pop. 4,053,000; cap. Melbourne 2 capital of Hong Kong; seaport on Hong Kong Island: pop. c. 1,000,000 3 capital of British Columbia, Canada: seaport on SE Vancouver Island: pop. 64,000 [after Queen Victoria] 4 capital of the Seychelles, on Mahé island: pop. 15,000 5 city in SE Tex.: pop. 55,000 [orig. name Sp Guadalupe Victoria, after the 1st president (1824-28) of the Mexican Republic] 6 Lake lake in E Africa, bounded by Kenya, Uganda, & Tanzania: 26,828 sq. mi. (69,484 sq. km) 7 island of the Northwest Territories, Canada, east of Banks Island: 81,930 sq. mi. (237,588 sq. km) [after Queen Victoria]

Victoria Cross the highest British Commonwealth military decoration, awarded for deeds of exceptional valor

Victoria Day a legal holiday in Canada, celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 : orig. May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday

Victoria Falls waterfall of the Zambezi River, between Zimbabwe & Zambia: c. 350 ft. (107 m) high; c. 1 mi. (1.6 km) wide

Victoria Land mainland region of Antarctica, along the Ross Sea: part of the Ross Dependency

Victoria Nile upper course of the Nile, flowing from Lake Victoria into Lake Albert: c. 250 mi. (403 km)

Victorian (-эn) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of the period of the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) 2 showing the middle-class respectability, prudery, bigotry, etc. generally attributed to Victorian England 3 designating or of a style of architecture, decorations, and furnishings of the 19th cent., characterized by massiveness, flowery carving, and ornate design •n. a person of the time of Queen Victoria Vic·to´ri·an·ism' •n.

Victoriana (vik tör'i: æn´э) •n. furniture, glassware, artwork, architecture, etc. considered typical of the Victorian era

victorious (vik tör´i: эs) •adj. 1 having won a victory; winning; triumphant 2 of, typical of, or bringing about victory vic·to´ri·ous·ly •adv. [ME < L victoriosus]

victory (vik´tэr i:, -tri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 final and complete supremacy or superiority in battle or war 2 a specific military engagement ending in triumph 3 success in any contest or struggle involving the defeat of an opponent or the overcoming of obstacles SYN.—victory implies the winning of a contest or struggle of any kind [a victory in battle, in sports, etc.]; conquest implies a victory in which one subjugates others and brings them under complete control [the conquests of Napoleon]; triumph implies a victory in which one exults because of its outstanding and decisive character [the triumphs of modern medicine] —ANT. defeat [ME < OFr victorie < L victoria < victor, VICTOR]

victual (vit´ªl) •n. 1 [Now Chiefly Dial.] food or other provisions 2 [pl.] [Colloq. or Dial.] articles of food, esp. when prepared for use •vt. -ualed or -ualled, -ual·ing or -ual·ling to supply with victuals •vi. 1 [Archaic] to eat or feed 2 to lay in a supply of food [ME vitaille, provisions < MFr < LL victualia, provisions < L victualis, of food < victus, food < pp. of vivere, to live: see BIO-]

victualer or victualler (-эr) •n. 1 [Historical] a) a person who supplied victuals, as to an army b) a supply ship 2 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] an innkeeper [ME vittailler < MFr vitailleur]

vicuña (vai kyu:n´э, -ku:n´э, vi-; -ku:n´yэ) pl. -ñas or -ña •n. 1 a small llama (Lama vicugna) with soft, shaggy wool, found wild in the Andes 2 this wool 3 a fabric made from it or in imitation of it [Sp < Quechua wikúña]

vide (vai´di:, vi:´dei) v. refer to: used to direct attention to a particular page, book, etc. [L, imper. sing of videre, to see: see VISION]

vide ante (æn´ti:) see before (in the book, etc.) [L]

vide infra (in´frэ) see below; see further on (in the book, etc.) [L]

vide post (poust) see after; see further on (in the book, etc.) [L]

vide supra (su:´prэ) see above; see earlier (in the book, etc.) [L]

videlicet (vi del´э sit) •adv. that is; namely [L < videre licet, it is permitted to see]

video (vid´i: ou') •adj. 1 of or used in television 2 designating or of the picture portion of a telecast, as distinguished from the audio (or sound) portion 3 designating or of the display of data on a computer video screen •n. 1 TELEVISION 2 short for VIDEOCASSETTE, VIDEOTAPE, etc. 3 a performance or presentation, filmed or videotaped, prepared for viewing by telecast, videocassette, etc. [L, I see < videre: see VISION: used by analogy with AUDIO]

video game any of various games involving images, controlled by players, on a cathode-ray tube or other electronic screen

videocassette (vid´i: ou'kэ set´) •n. a cassette containing videotape for recording and playing back sounds and images

videocassette recorder a device for recording on and playing back videocassettes Also video recorder

videoconferencing (-kän´fэr эns iŋ) •n. the holding of a conference by individuals or groups in different locations, using television transmissions linked by electronic satellite, fiber-optic cable, etc. vid´e·o·con´fer·ence •n.

videodisc (vid´i: ou disk') •n. a disc on which images and sounds, as of a motion picture, can be recorded for reproduction by a player connected to a TV receiver Also video disc

videography (vid'i: äg´rэ fi:) •n. the art, process, or work of recording sound and visual images on videotape vid'e·og´ra·pher •n. [VIDEO + -GRAPHY]

videophone (vid´i: ou foun') a telephone combined with a television receiver and transmitter [VIDEO + (TELE)PHONE]

videotape (-teip') •n. a magnetic tape on which electronic impulses, as of the video and audio portions of a TV program, can be recorded for later playing •vt. -taped', -tap'ing to record on videotape

videotex (-teks') •n. any of various electronic systems for the distribution of data for display on video screens, often allowing for input by the user: also vid´e·o·text' (-tekst') [VIDEO + TEX(T)]

vidette (vi det´) •n. var. of VEDETTE

vidicon (vid´i kän') •n. a television camera pickup tube of high sensitivity in which the image is focused on a transparent, thin, metal film backed with a layer of photoconductive material that is scanned with a low-velocity electron beam [VID(EO) + ICON(OSCOPE)]

vie (vai) vied, vy´ing •vi. to struggle for superiority (with someone) or enter into competition (for something); compete •vt. 1 [Obs.] to bet; wager; hazard 2 [Archaic] to do, offer, display, or match in rivalry vi´er •n. [ME vien, aphetic for envien < OFr envier, to invite, vie in games < L invitare, to INVITE]

Vienna (vi: en´э) capital of Austria, on the Danube: pop. 1,531,000: Ger. name WIEN Vi·en·nese (vi:'э ni:z´), pl. -nese´, •adj., n. Vienna , Congress of a conference of the major European powers held, at Vienna (1814-15) at the end of the Napoleonic wars, to restore monarchies and readjust territories throughout Europe Vienna (vi: en´э) capital of Austria, on the Danube: pop. 1,531,000: Ger. name WIEN Vi·en·nese (vi:'э ni:z´), pl. -nese´, •adj., n.

Vienna sausage a small sausage like a short, slim frankfurter, used esp. as an hors d'oeuvre

Vienne (vyen) 1 city in SE France: pop. 27,000 2 river in WC France, flowing into the Loire: 230 mi. (370 km)

Vientiane (vyen tyän´) administrative capital of Laos, on the Mekong River: pop. c. 125,000

Viet Cong (vi:'et köŋ´, vi: et'-, vyet'-; -käŋ´) 1 a guerrilla force led from Hanoi, which sought to overthrow the South Vietnamese government (1954-75) 2 a member of this force Also Vi'et·cong´ [< Vietnamese Viet Nam Cong San, Vietnamese Communist]

Vietminh (-min´) an organization formed of nationalist and communist parties in 1941 to win independence for Vietnam [Vietnamese, contr. < Viet Nam Doc-lap Dong Minh, the Revolutionary League for the Independence of Vietnam]

Vietnam (-näm´, -næm´; vi:t-) country on the E coast of the Indochinese Peninsula: ruled by the French from mid-19th cent. until 1945; partitioned into two republics (North Vietnam & South Vietnam) in 1954, and reunified in 1976 under the name of Socialist Republic of Vietnam: 127,300 sq. mi. (329,707 sq. km); pop. 61,994,000; cap. Hanoi [Vietnamese Viet, name of people + nam, south]

Vietnamese (vi: et'nэ mi:z´, vyet'-; vi:t'-) •adj. designating or of Vietnam, its people, or their language or culture •n. 1 pl. -ese´ a native or inhabitant of Vietnam 2 the official language of Vietnam, thought to be related to the Mon-Khmer languages

view (vyu:) •n. 1 a seeing or looking, as in inspection or examination 2 sight or vision; esp., range of vision {not a person in view} 3 mental examination or survey; critical contemplation {to take a correct view of a situation} 4 that which is seen; esp., a scene or prospect, as of a landscape {a room with a view} 5 a picture, sketch, or photograph of a scene, esp. of a landscape 6 visual appearance or aspect of something 7 manner of regarding or considering something; judgment; opinion {one's views on a matter} 8 that which is worked toward or sought; object; aim; goal {to have a view to bettering one's condition} 9 a general survey or summary 10 Law a formal inspection made by a jury outside of court, as at the scene of a crime or accident •vt. 1 to inspect; scrutinize 2 to look at or see; behold 3 to survey mentally; consider 4 to regard in a particular way {to view a situation with fear} SYN. OPINION, SEE¹ in view 1 in sight 2 under consideration 3 in mind or memory 4 as an end or object aimed at 5 in expectation, as a hope or wish in view of in consideration of; because of on view displayed or exhibited publicly with a view to 1 with the purpose of 2 with a hope of; looking forward to [ME vewe < OFr veue < veoir, to see < L videre: see VISION]

view halloo a shout by a hunter when the fox is seen breaking into the open Also view hallo or view halloa

viewdata (-deit'э, -dæt'-) •n. chiefly Brit., etc. var. of VIDEOTEX

viewer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who views a scene, exhibit, movie, television show, etc.; spectator 2 an optical device for individual viewing of slides, filmstrips, etc.

viewership (vyu:´эr ship') •n. 1 the audience for a TV program 2 the size of such an audience

viewfinder (-fain'dэr) •n. a camera device, as a special lens, that helps in adjusting the position of the camera by showing what will appear in the photograph

viewing (vyu:´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of looking at or watching, as of watching television 2 a) the public display of a dead person prior to a funeral b) the period of this display

viewless (-lis) •adj. 1 affording no view, or prospect 2 [Rare] that cannot be seen; invisible 3 having or expressing no views, or opinions view´less·ly •adv.

viewpoint (-point') •n. the mental position from which things are viewed and judged; point of view

viewy (-i:) view´i·er, view´i·est •adj. [Old Colloq.] 1 fanciful or visionary 2 showy; ostentatious