veronica
veronica: n.
1 any plant of the genus Veronica or Hebe, esp. speedwell.
2 a a cloth supposedly impressed with an image of Christ's face. b any similar picture of Christ's face.
3 Bullfighting the movement of a matador's cape away from a charging bull. [med.L f. the name Veronica: in sens.
2 from the association with St Veronica]
venetian
Venetian: n. & adj. --n.
1 a native or citizen of Venice in NE Italy.
2 the Italian dialect of Venice.
3 (venetian) = venetian blind. --adj. of Venice. øvenetian blind a window-blind of adjustable horizontal slats to control the light. Venetian glass delicate glassware made at Murano near Venice. Venetian red a reddish pigment of ferric oxides. Venetian window a window with three separate openings, the central one being arched and highest. øøvenetianed adj. (in sens.
3 of n.). [ME f. OF Venicien, assim. to med.L Venetianus f. Venetia Venice]
viscosity
viscosity: n. (pl. -ies.
1 the quality or degree of being viscous.
2 Physics a (of a fluid) internal friction, the resistance to flow. b a quantity expressing this. ødynamic viscosity a quantity measuring the force needed to overcome internal friction. kinematic viscosity a quantity measuring the dynamic viscosity per unit density. øøviscosimeter n. [ME f. OF viscosit÷ or med.L viscositas (as VISCOUS)]
valerian
valerian: n.
1 any of various flowering plants of the family Valerianaceae.
2 the root of any of these used as a medicinal sedative. øcommon valeria.
1 a valerian, Valeriana officinalis, with pink or white flowers and a strong smell liked by cats: also called SETWALL.
2 the root of this used as a medicinal sedative. [ME f. OF valeriane f. med.L valeriana (herba), app. fem. of Valerianus of Valerius]
vibrant
vibrant: adj.
1 vibrating.
2 (often foll. by with) (of a person or thing) thrilling, quivering (vibrant with emotion).
3 (of sound) resonant. øøvibrancy n. vibrantly adv. [L vibrare: see VIBRATE]
vagrant
vagrant: n. & adj. --n.
1 a person without a settled home or regular work.
2 a wanderer or vagabond. --adj.
1 wandering or roving (a vagrant musician).
2 being a vagrant. øøvagrancy n. vagrantly adv. [ME f. AF vag(a)raunt, perh. alt. f. AF wakerant etc. by assoc. with L vagari wander]
vestment
vestment: n.
1 any of the official robes of clergy, choristers, etc., worn during divine service, esp. a chasuble.
2 a garment, esp. an official or state robe. [ME f. OF vestiment, vestement f. L vestimentum (as VEST)]
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