vestal



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


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.
   [1913 Webster]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Vestal \Ves"tal\, n. [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale.
   See Vestal, a.]
   1. (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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun.
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            How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! --Pope.
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