Crossword clues for vestal
vestal
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Vestal \Ves"tal\, a. [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal. See Vesta.] Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.
Vestal \Ves"tal\, n. [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale. See Vestal, a.]
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(Rom. Antiq.) A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
Note: The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the period of admission being from the sixth to the tenth year of the candidate's age.
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A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
--Pope.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"chaste, pure, virgin," 1590s, originally (early 15c.) "belonging to or dedicated to Vesta," Roman goddess of hearth and home, from Latin vestalis. The noun is recorded from 1570s, short for Vestal virgin, one of four (later six) priestesses (Latin virgines Vestales) in charge of the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta in Rome. From 1580s in reference to any virgin or chaste woman.\n\nThey entered the service of the goddess at from six to ten years of age, their term of service lasting thirty years. They were then permitted to retire and to marry, but few did so, for, as vestals, they were treated with great honor, and had important public privileges. Their persons were inviolable, any offense against them being punished with death, and they were treated in all their relations with the highest distinction and reverence. A vestal who broke her vow of chastity was immured alive in an underground vault amid public mourning. There were very few such instances; in one of them, under Domitian, the chief of the vestals was put to death under a false charge trumped up by the emperor.\n
Wiktionary
a. 1 Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth. 2 pure; chaste. n. 1 A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar. 2 A female virgin; a woman who has never had sexual relations. 3 A nun.
WordNet
Wikipedia
Vestal can refer to:
- Pertaining to Vesta (mythology), a Roman goddess, the Sacred fire of Vesta, or the Temple of Vesta
- Vestal Virgin
- Vestal, New York
- HMS Vestal, the name of eight ships of the Royal Navy
- USS Vestal (AR-4), a US Navy ship
- Vestal moth
- Rhodometra sacraria, a moth of Europe, Africa and Asia of the Geometridae family
- Antaeotricha albulella, a moth of the United States of the Depressariidae family
- Albert Henry Vestal, American politician
- Samuel Vestal, American politician
- Vestal Goodman, an American gospel singer
- The Vestal, a ballet by Marius Petipa and Mikhail Ivanov
- Vestal Watches, a fashion watch brand
Usage examples of "vestal".
There was no time to be lost, and I could see that the girl was not a vestal virgin, so I went up to her and told her that the Venetian ambassador was amorous of her, and that I would take her to him if she would receive his visits.
Reign of Tarquinius Priscus 16 His early history 16 His removal to Rome 16 Becomes king 16 His wars 16 The Cloacae 16 Circus Maximus 17 Increase of the Senate 17 Increase of the Equites 17 Attus Navius 17 Increase of the Vestal Virgins 17 Early history of Servius Tullius 17 Death of Tarquinius Priscus 18 578-534.
They also completely blocked any afternoon sun the residence of the Pontifex Maximus and the Vestal Virgins might have received, which meant that the Domus Publica, already handicapped by its low-lying location, was sure to be a cold place to live in.
She was absolutely everywhere on both sides of the building, had established ascendancy over Licinia effortlessly and painlessly, made herself liked by all six Vestals, and would soon be, her son thought with silent laughter, absorbed in improving the efficiency not only of the Domus Publica, but also of its testamentary industry.
I would have given you the hundred guineas if your niece had treated me as a friend, but she refused me favours a vestal might have granted, and you must be aware that she is by no means a vestal.
I longed to see what reception I should have from the two vestals I had initiated so well.
Chief Vestals since the time of the first Aemilia, lifelike wax masks encased in miniature temples, each perched on a costly pedestal.
Chief Vestal was Licinia, close cousin of Murena and remoter cousin of Crassus.
My cousin Murena is standing for consul this year, and begged me to remain Chief Vestal long enough to assist him in his canvassing.
Licinia called him in as senior consultant in financial matters, and the three senior Vestals spent many a cozy hour huddled together with him discussing business, investments, unhandy fathers when it came to profitably safe dowries.
Franz had remained for nearly a quarter of an hour perfectly hidden by the shadow of the vast column at whose base he had found a resting-place, and from whence his eyes followed the motions of Albert and his guides, who, holding torches in their hands, had emerged from a vomitorium at the opposite extremity of the Colosseum, and then again disappeared down the steps conducting to the seats reserved for the Vestal virgins, resembling, as they glided along, some restless shades following the flickering glare of so many ignes-fatui.
He gazed approvingly at the peristyle outside, with its fabulous frescoes of Vestal Virgins and magnificent marble pool and fountains.
He had left the most important interview until last, deeming it better to establish his authority within the College of Pontifices before he saw the Vestal Virgins.
Limp with relief and amazement, the audience at the top of the Vestal Steps watched that enormous crowd begin to disperse, to stream into the Argiletum and the area around the Markets, up the Via Sacra to the Velia and those parts of Rome beyond.
Over twenty years ago, aged eighteen, he had charged the beautiful young Vestal Virgin Fabia with unchastity, a crime punishable by death.