View synonyms for vestal

vestal

[ ves-tl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

vestal

/ ˈvɛstəl /

Origin of vestal¹

1400–50; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin vestālis. See Vesta, -al ¹

The Vestal virgins received especial honor, and were appointed by the Pontifex Maximus.

"The vestal virgins here are old men," replied Ralph, wickedly pleased to get a joke on the lady.

He has now decided to void the virginity of the vestal, and to assume that she was in reality a demon, and not a being of earth.

Who does not remember "Beechenbrook," that pure Vestal in the temple of Mars?

Four or five hours ago she had entered that car as "free from the trammels of passion" as a vestal virgin.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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