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vestal

 - 2 dictionary results

ves⋅tal

[ves-tl]
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the goddess Vesta.
2. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a vestal virgin; chaste; pure.
–noun
3. vestal virgin.
4. a chaste unmarried woman; virgin.
5. a nun.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME (adj.) < L vestālis. See Vesta, -al 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ves·tal   (věs'təl)   
adj.  
  1. Roman Mythology

    1. Of or relating to Vesta.

    2. Relating to or characteristic of the vestal virgins.

  2. Chaste; pure.

n.  
  1. Roman Mythology A vestal virgin.

  2. A woman who is a virgin.

  3. A nun.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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