Ve·adar ['vā-,ä-,där, 'vā-ə-] -n

  1. adar sheni

veal ['vēl] -n

  1. the flesh of a young calf
  2. calf
  3. vealer
  4. to kill and dress (a calf) for veal

veal·er ['vē-lər] -n

  1. a calf grown for or suitable for veal

vealy ['vē-lē] -adj

  1. resembling or suggesting veal or a calf
  2. immature

vec·tor ['vek-tər] -n, adj, adv

  1. a quantity that has magnitude and direction and that is commonly represented by a directed line segment whose length represents the magnitude and whose orientation in space represents the direction
  2. an element of a vector space
  3. a course or compass direction esp. of an airplane
  4. an organism (as an insect) that transmits a pathogen
  5. pollinator
  6. an agent (as a plasmid or virus) that contains or carries modified genetic material (as recombinant DNA) and can be used to introduce exogenous genes into the genome of an organism

vector [-t(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to guide (as an airplane, its pilot, or a missile) in flight by means of a radioed vector
  2. to change the direction of (the thrust of a jet engine) for steering

vector field -n

  1. a set of vectors that is defined in relation to a function such that each point of the function is associated with a vector from the set

vector product -n

  1. a vector cwhose length is the product of the lengths of two vectors aand band the sine of their included angle, whose direction is perpendicular to their plane, and whose direction is that in which a right-handed screw rotated from atoward balong axis cwould move called also cross product

vector space -n

  1. a set of vectors along with operations of addition and multiplication such that the set is a commutative group under addition, it includes a multiplicative inverse, and multiplication by scalars is both associative and distributive

vector sum -n

  1. the sum of a number of vectors that for the sum of two vectors is geometrically represented by the diagonal of a parallelogram whose sides represent the two vectors being added

Ve·da ['vā-də] -n

  1. any of four canonical collections of hymns, prayers, and liturgical formulas that comprise the earliest Hindu sacred writings

ve·da·lia [vi-'dāl-yə] -n

  1. an Australian ladybug ( Rodolia cardinalis) introduced to many countries to control scale insects called also vedalia beetle

Ve·dan·ta [vā-'dän-tə, və-, -'dan-] -n

  1. an orthodox system of Hindu philosophy developing esp. in a qualified monism the speculations of the Upanishads on ultimate reality and the liberation of the soul

Ve·dan·tic [-'dän-tik, -'dan-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Vedanta philosophy
  2. vedic

Ved·da ['ve-də] -n

  1. a member of an aboriginal people of Sri Lanka

Ved·doid ['ve-,dȯid] -n, adj

  1. a member of a race of southern Asia traditionally classified by such physical features as wavy to curly hair, chocolate-brown skin color, and slender body build

ve·dette [vi-'det] -n

  1. a mounted sentinel stationed in advance of pickets

Ve·dic ['vā-dik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Vedas, the language in which they are written, or Hindu history and culture between 1500 b.c.and 500 b.c.

vee ['vē] -n

  1. the letter v
  2. something shaped like the letter V

vee·jay ['vē-,jā] -n

  1. an announcer of a program (as on television) that features music videos

veena ['vē-nə] -n

(variant of vina)

  1. a stringed instrument of India having usu. four strings on a long bamboo fingerboard with movable frets and a gourd resonator at each end

veep ['vēp] -n

  1. vice president

veer ['vir] -vt

  1. to let out (as a rope)
  2. to change direction or course
    • the economy veer ed sharply downward
  3. to shift in a clockwise direction
  4. to change course by turning the stern to the wind
  5. to direct to a different course
  6. wear
  7. a change in course or direction
    • a veer to the right

vee·ry ['vir-ē] -n

  1. an American thrush ( Catharus fuscescens) common in the eastern U.S.

veg ['vej] -n

  1. vegetable

Ve·ga ['vē-gə, 'vā-] -n

  1. the brightest star in the constellation Lyra

veg·an ['vē-gən also 'vā- also 've-jən or -,jan] -n, adj

  1. a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products
  2. one who abstains from using animal products (as leather)

veg·e·ta·ble ['vej-tə-bəl, 've-jə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, constituting, or growing like plants
  2. consisting of plants : vegetational
  3. made from, obtained from, or containing plants or plant products
    • vegetable soup
    • vegetable fat
  4. resembling or suggesting a plant (as in inertness or passivity)

vegetable -n

  1. plant
  2. a usu. herbaceous plant (as the cabbage, bean, or potato) grown for an edible part that is usu. eaten as part of a meal
  3. such an edible part
  4. a person whose mental and physical functioning is severely impaired and esp. one who requires supportive measures (as mechanical ventilation) to survive

vegetable ivory -n

  1. the hard white opaque endosperm of the ivory nut that takes a high polish and is used as a substitute for ivory
  2. ivory nut

vegetable marrow -n

  1. any of various smooth-skinned elongated summer squashes with creamy-white to deep green skins

vegetable oil -n

  1. an oil of plant origin
  2. a fatty oil from seeds or fruits

vegetable oyster -n

  1. salsify

vegetable pear -n

  1. chayote

vegetable wax -n

  1. a wax of plant origin secreted commonly in thin flakes by the walls of epidermal cells

veg·e·ta·bly ['vej-tə-blē, 've-jə-] -adv or adj

  1. in the manner of or like a vegetable

veg·e·tal ['ve-jə-tᵊl] -adj

  1. vegetable
  2. vegetative
  3. of or relating to the vegetal pole of an egg or to that part of an egg from which the endoderm normally develops
    • vegetal blastomeres

vegetal pole -n

  1. the point on the surface of an egg that is diametrically opposite to the animal pole and usu. marks the center of the protoplasm containing more yolk

veg·e·tar·i·an [,ve-jə-'ter-ē-ən] -n

  1. one who believes in or practices vegetarianism
  2. herbivore

vegetarian -adj

  1. of or relating to vegetarians
  2. consisting wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products
    • a vegetarian diet

veg·e·tar·i·an·ism [-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. the theory or practice of living on a vegetarian diet

veg·e·tate ['ve-jə-,tāt] -vb

  1. to grow in the manner of a plant
  2. to grow exuberantly or with proliferation of fleshy or warty outgrowths
  3. to produce vegetation
  4. to lead a passive existence without exertion of body or mind
  5. to establish vegetation in or on

veg·e·ta·tion [,ve-jə-'tā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or process of vegetating
  2. inert existence
  3. plant life or total plant cover (as of an area)
  4. an abnormal growth upon a body part
    • fibrin vegetation s on the mitral valve

veg·e·ta·tive ['ve-jə-,tā-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. growing or having the power of growing
  2. of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions
    • a vegetative nucleus
  3. promoting plant growth
    • the vegetative properties of soil
  4. of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
  5. relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation
  6. of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
  7. autonomic
  8. characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning and in which only involuntary bodily functions (as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained
  9. vegetable

ve·gete [və-'jēt] -adj

  1. lively, healthy

veg·gie ['ve-jē] -n

  1. vegetable
  2. vegetarian

veggie burger -n

  1. a patty chiefly of vegetable-derived protein used as a meat substitute
  2. a sandwich containing such a patty

veg out ['vej-] -vi

  1. to spend time idly or passively

ve·he·mence ['vē-ə-mən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being vehement : intensity

ve·he·ment ['vē-ə-mənt] -adj, adv

  1. : marked by forceful energy : powerful
    • a vehement wind
    : as
  2. intensely emotional : impassioned, fervid
    • vehement patriotism
  3. deeply felt
    • a vehement suspicion
  4. forcibly expressed
    • vehement denunciations
  5. bitterly antagonistic
    • a vehement debate

ve·hi·cle ['vē-ə-kəl also 'vē-,hi-kəl] -n

  1. an inert medium (as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent is administered
  2. any of various media acting usu. as solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients or pigments
  3. an agent of transmission : carrier
  4. a medium through which something is expressed, achieved, or displayed
    • an investment vehicle
  5. a work created esp. to display the talents of a particular performer
  6. : a means of carrying or transporting something
    • planes, trains, and other vehicle s
    : as
  7. motor vehicle
  8. a piece of mechanized equipment

ve·hic·u·lar [vē-'hi-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or designed for vehicles and esp. motor vehicles
  2. transported by vehicle
  3. caused by or resulting from the operation of a vehicle
    • vehicular homicide
  4. serving as a vehicle

veil ['vāl] -n

  1. a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often esp. in Eastern countries for the face
  2. the outer covering of a nun's headdress
  3. a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress
    • a bridal veil
  4. any of various liturgical cloths
  5. a cloth used to cover the chalice
  6. the life of a nun often used in the phrase take the veil
  7. a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
  8. something that resembles a veil
    • a veil of stars
  9. something that hides or obscures like a veil
    • lift the veil of secrecy
  10. : a covering body part or membrane: as
  11. velum
  12. caul
  13. to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
  14. to put on or wear a veil

veiled ['vāld] -adj

  1. having or wearing a veil or a concealing cover
    • a veiled hat
  2. characterized by a softening tonal distortion
  3. obscured as if by a veil : disguised
    • veiled threats

veil·ing ['vā-liŋ] -n

  1. any of various light sheer fabrics
  2. veil

vein ['vān] -n, adj

  1. a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice
  2. lode
  3. a bed of useful mineral matter
  4. lode
  5. blood vessel
  6. any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart
  7. any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf
  8. any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect
  9. something suggesting veins (as in reticulation)
  10. a wavy variegation (as in marble)
  11. a distinctive mode of expression : style
    • stories in a romantic vein
  12. a distinctive element or quality : strain
    • introduced a welcome vein of humor
  13. a line of thought or action
  14. a special aptitude
    • inherited an artistic vein
  15. a usu. transitory and casually attained mood
  16. top form
    • thou troublest me; I am not in the vein -- Shak.
  17. to pattern with or as if with veins

veined ['vānd] -adj

  1. patterned with or as if with veins : having venation : streaked
    • a veined leaf
    • veined marble
    • veined cheese

vein·er ['vā-nər] -n

  1. a small V gouge used in wood carving

vein·ing ['vā-niŋ] -n

  1. a pattern of veins : venation

vein·let ['vān-lət] -n

  1. a small vein

veiny ['vā-nē] -adj

  1. full of veins : noticeably veined
    • veiny hands

vel -abbr

  1. velocity

ve·la·men [və-'lā-mən] -n

  1. the thick corky epidermis of aerial roots of an epiphytic orchid that absorbs water from the atmosphere

ve·lar ['vē-lər] -adj, n

  1. formed with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate
    • the velar k of kul cool
  2. of, forming, or relating to a velum and esp. the soft palate

ve·lar·i·um [vi-'ler-ē-əm] -n

  1. an awning over an ancient Roman theater or amphitheater

ve·lar·i·za·tion [,vē-lə-rə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. the quality or state of being velarized
  2. an act or instance of velarizing

ve·lar·ize ['vē-lə-,rīz] -vt

  1. to modify (as the l of pul pool) by a simultaneous velar articulation

Vel·cro ['vel-(,)krō] -trademark

  1. used for a closure consisting of a piece of fabric of small hooks that sticks to a corresponding fabric of small loops

veld ['velt, 'felt] -n

  1. a grassland esp. of southern Africa usu. with scattered shrubs or trees

ve·li·ger ['vē-lə-jər, 've-] -n

  1. a larval mollusk in the stage when it has developed the velum

vel·le·i·ty [ve-'lē-ə-tē, və-] -n

  1. the lowest degree of volition
  2. a slight wish or tendency : inclination

vel·lum ['ve-ləm] -n

  1. a fine-grained unsplit lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared esp. for writing on or for binding books
  2. a strong cream-colored paper

vellum -adj

  1. of, resembling, or bound in vellum
  2. slightly rough
    • paper with a vellum finish

ve·lo·ce [vā-'lō-(,)chā] -adv or adj

  1. in a rapid manner used as a direction in music

ve·lo·cim·e·ter [,vē-lō-'si-mə-tər, ,ve-] -n

  1. a device for measuring speed (as of fluid flow or sound)

ve·loc·i·pede [və-'lä-sə-,pēd] -n

  1. : a lightweight wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider: as
  2. bicycle
  3. tricycle
  4. a 3-wheeled railroad handcar

ve·loc·i·rap·tor [və-'lä-sə-,rap-tər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Velociraptor) of theropod dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous having a long head with a flat snout and a large sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each foot

ve·loc·i·ty [və-'lä-sə-tē, -'läs-tē] -n

  1. quickness of motion : speed
    • the velocity of sound
  2. rapidity of movement
    • my horse's strong suit is grace personal comeliness, rather than velocity -- Mark Twain
  3. speed imparted to something
    • the power pitcher relies on velocity -- Tony Scherman
  4. the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time
  5. rate of occurrence or action : rapidity
    • the velocity of historical change -- R. J. Lifton
  6. rate of turnover
    • the velocity of money

ve·lo·drome ['vē-lə-,drōm, 've-, 'vā-] -n

  1. a track designed for cycling

ve·lour [və-'lu̇r] -n

  1. any of various fabrics with a pile or napped surface resembling velvet used in heavy weights for upholstery and curtains and in lighter weights for clothing
  2. the article of clothing itself
  3. a fur felt (as of rabbit or nutria) finished with a long velvety nap and used esp. for hats

ve·lou·te [və-,lü-'tā] -n

  1. a soup or sauce made of chicken, veal, or fish stock and cream and thickened with butter and flour

ve·lum ['vē-ləm] -n

  1. : a membrane or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: as
  2. soft palate
  3. an annular membrane projecting inward from the margin of the umbrella in some jellyfishes (as the hydromedusae)
  4. a swimming organ that is esp. well developed in the later larval stages of many marine gastropods

ve·lure [ve-'lu̇r, vel-'yu̇r, 'vel-yər] -n

  1. velvet
  2. a fabric resembling velvet

vel·vet ['vel-vət] -n, adj

  1. a clothing and upholstery fabric (as of silk, rayon, or wool) characterized by a short soft dense warp pile
  2. something suggesting velvet
  3. a characteristic (as softness or smoothness) of velvet
  4. the soft vascular skin that envelops and nourishes the developing antlers of deer
  5. the winnings of a player in a gambling game
  6. a profit or gain beyond ordinary expectation

velvet -adj

  1. made of or covered with velvet
  2. clad in velvet
  3. resembling or suggesting velvet : velvety
    • a velvet voice

velvet ant -n

  1. any of various solitary usu. brightly colored and hairy fossorial wasps (family Mutillidae) with the female wingless

velvet bean -n

  1. an annual legume ( Mucuna deeringianasyn. Stizolobium deeringianum) grown esp. in the southern U.S. for green manure and grazing
  2. its seed often used as stock feed

vel·ve·teen [,vel-və-'tēn] -n

  1. a clothing fabric usu. of cotton in twill or plain weaves made with a short close weft pile in imitation of velvet
  2. clothes made of velveteen

vel·vety ['vel-və-tē] -adj

  1. having the character of velvet as in being soft, smooth, thick, or richly hued
    • velvety hair
    • a velvety green pasture
  2. smooth to the taste : mild
    • a velvety wine

Ven -abbr

  1. venerable

ven- -comb form

  1. vein
    • veni puncture
    • veno graphy

ve·na ['vē-nə] -n

  1. vein

ve·na ca·va [,vē-nə-'kā-və] -n, adj

  1. any of the large veins by which in air-breathing vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium of the heart

ve·nal ['vē-nᵊl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration : purchasable
  2. open to corrupt influence and esp. bribery : mercenary
    • a venal legislator
  3. originating in, characterized by, or associated with corrupt bribery
    • a venal arrangement with the police

ve·na·tion [ve-'nā-shən, vē-] -n

  1. an arrangement or system of veins (as in the tissue of a leaf or the wing of an insect)

vend ['vend] -vb

  1. to sell esp. as a hawker or peddler
  2. to sell by means of vending machines
  3. to utter publicly
  4. to dispose of something by sale : sell
  5. to engage in selling

Ven·da ['ven-də] -n

  1. a Bantu language spoken by a people of Northern province, Republic of South Africa
  2. a member of this people

vend·ee [ven-'dē] -n

  1. one to whom a thing is sold : buyer

ven·det·ta [ven-'de-tə] -n

  1. blood feud
  2. an often prolonged series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts or exchange of such acts
    • waged a personal vendetta against those who opposed his nomination

ven·deuse [väⁿ-'də(r)z, vän-'düz] -n

  1. a saleswoman esp. in the fashion industry

vend·ible ['ven-də-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being vended : salable

vending machine -n

  1. a coin-operated machine for selling merchandise

ven·dor ['ven-dər, for 1 also ven-'dȯr] -n

  1. one that vends : seller
  2. vending machine

ven·due ['ven-,dü, 'vän-, 'fen-, -,dyü; ven-', vän-'] -n

  1. a public sale at auction

ve·neer [və-'nir] -n

  1. : a thin sheet of a material: as
  2. a layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to be glued to an inferior wood
  3. any of the thin layers bonded together to form plywood
  4. a plastic or porcelain coating bonded to the surface of a cosmetically imperfect tooth
  5. a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or stone)
  6. a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, display, or effect : facade, gloss
    • a veneer of tolerance

veneer -vt, n

  1. to overlay or plate (as a common wood) with a thin layer of finer wood for outer finish or decoration
  2. to face with a material giving a superior surface
  3. to cover over with a veneer
  4. to conceal (as a defect of character) under a superficial and deceptive attractiveness

ve·neer·ing [və-'nir-iŋ] -n

  1. a veneered surface
  2. material used as veneer

ven·er·a·ble ['ve-nər(-ə)-bəl, 'ven-rə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. deserving to be venerated used as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of recognition for sanctity
  2. made sacred esp. by religious or historical association
  3. calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments
    • a venerable jazz musician
  4. conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence
    • encouraged by the venerable doctor's head-nodding
  5. impressive by reason of age
    • under venerable pines

ven·er·ate ['ve-nə-,rāt] -vt, n

  1. to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference
  2. to honor (as an icon or a relic) with a ritual act of devotion

ven·er·a·tion [,ve-nə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person
  2. the act of venerating
  3. the condition of one that is venerated

ve·ne·re·al [və-'nir-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to sexual pleasure or indulgence
  2. resulting from or contracted during sexual intercourse
    • venereal infections
  3. of, relating to, or affected with venereal disease
    • a high venereal rate
  4. involving the genital organs
    • venereal sarcoma

venereal disease -n

  1. a contagious disease (as gonorrhea or syphilis) that is typically acquired in sexual intercourse

ven·ery ['ve-nə-rē] -n

  1. the art, act, or practice of hunting
  2. animals that are hunted : game

venery -n

  1. the pursuit of or indulgence in sexual pleasure
  2. sexual intercourse

ve·ne·sec·tion ['ve-nə-,sek-shən, 'vē-] -n

  1. phlebotomy

Ven·e·ti ['ve-nə-,tī] -n pl

  1. an ancient people in Gaul conquered by Julius Caesar in 56 b.c.
  2. an ancient people in northeastern Italy allied politically to the Romans

ve·ne·tian blind [və-'nē-shən-] -n

  1. a blind (as for a window) having numerous horizontal slats that may be set simultaneously at any of several angles so as to vary the amount of light admitted

venetian glass -n

  1. often colored glassware made at Murano near Venice of a soda-lime metal and typically elaborately decorated (as with gilt, enamel, or engraving)

Venetian red -n

  1. an earthy hematite used as a pigment
  2. a synthetic iron oxide pigment

Ve·net·ic [və-'ne-tik] -n, adj

  1. the language of the ancient Veneti of Italy

venge ['venj] -vt

  1. avenge

ven·geance ['ven-jən(t)s] -n

  1. punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense : retribution

venge·ful ['venj-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. : revengeful: as
  2. seeking to avenge
  3. serving to gain vengeance

Ven·gine ['vē-] -n

  1. an internal combustion engine whose cylinders are arranged in two banks forming an acute or right angle

ve·nial ['vē-nē-əl, -nyəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. of a kind that can be remitted : forgivable, pardonable
  2. meriting no particular censure or notice : excusable
    • venial faults

venial sin -n

  1. a sin that is relatively slight or that is committed without full reflection or consent and so according to Thomist theology does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace
  2. a minor offense

ve·ni·punc·ture ['vē-nə-,pəŋ(k)-chər, 've-] -n

  1. surgical puncture of a vein esp. for the withdrawal of blood or for intravenous medication

ve·ni·re [və-'nī-rē] -n

  1. an entire panel from which a jury is drawn

ve·ni·re fa·ci·as [-,nī-rē-'fā-shē-əs] -n

  1. a judicial writ directing the sheriff to summon a specified number of qualified persons to serve as jurors

ve·ni·re·man [və-'nī-rē-mən, -'nir-ē-] -n

  1. a member of a venire

ven·i·son ['ve-nə-sən also -zən, Brit usu 'ven-zən] -n

  1. the edible flesh of a game animal and esp. a deer

Ve·ni·te [və-'nī-tē, -'nē-,tā] -n

  1. a liturgical chant composed of parts of Psalms 95 and 96

Venn diagram ['ven-] -n

  1. a graph that employs closed curves and esp. circles to represent logical relations between and operations on sets and the terms of propositions by the inclusion, exclusion, or intersection of the curves

ve·nog·ra·phy [vi-'nä-grə-fē, vā-] -n

  1. radiography of a vein after injection of an opaque substance

ven·om ['ve-nəm] -n

  1. poisonous matter normally secreted by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) and transmitted to prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging
  2. material that is poisonous
  3. ill will, malevolence

venom -vt

  1. envenom

ven·om·ous ['ve-nə-məs] -adj, adv, n

  1. : full of venom: as
  2. poisonous, envenomed
  3. noxious, pernicious
    • expose a venomous dope ring -- Don Porter
  4. spiteful, malevolent
    • venomous criticism
  5. having a venom-producing gland and able to inflict a poisoned wound
    • venomous snakes

ve·nous ['vē-nəs] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or full of veins
    • a venous thrombosis
    • a venous rock
  2. having passed through the capillaries and given up oxygen for the tissues and become charged with carbon dioxide

vent ['vent] -vb

  1. to provide with a vent
  2. to serve as a vent for
    • chimneys vent smoke
  3. discharge, expel
  4. to give often vigorous or emotional expression to
    • vent ed her frustration on her coworkers
  5. to relieve by means of a vent
    • vent ed himself in a fiery letter to the editor
  6. to relieve oneself by venting something (as anger)
    • comes home from work and vent s to the kids
  7. : an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure: as
  8. the external opening of the rectum or cloaca : anus
  9. pipe , fumarole
  10. hydrothermal vent
  11. an opening at the breech of a muzzle-loading gun through which fire is touched to the powder
  12. chimney, flue
  13. an opportunity or means of escape, passage, or release : outlet
    • finally gave vent to his pent-up hostility
  14. a slit in a garment
  15. an opening in the lower part of a seam (as of a jacket or skirt)

vent·age ['ven-tij] -n

  1. a small hole (as a flute stop)

ven·tail ['ven-,tāl] -n

  1. the lower movable front of a medieval helmet

ven·ter ['ven-tər] -n

  1. a wife or mother that is a source of offspring
  2. : a protuberant and often hollow anatomical structure: as
  3. the undersurface of the abdomen of an arthropod
  4. the swollen basal portion of an archegonium in which an egg develops

ven·ti·fact ['ven-tə-,fakt] -n

  1. a stone worn, polished, or faceted by windblown sand

ven·ti·late ['ven-tə-,lāt] -vt

  1. to examine, discuss, or investigate freely and openly : expose
    • ventilating family quarrels in public
  2. to make public : utter
    • ventilated their objections at length
  3. to free from chaff by winnowing
  4. to expose to air and esp. to a current of fresh air for purifying, curing, or refreshing
    • ventilate stored grain
  5. oxygenate, aerate
    • ventilate blood in the lungs
  6. to subject the lungs to ventilation
    • artificially ventilate a patient in respiratory distress
  7. to pass or circulate through so as to freshen
  8. to cause fresh air to circulate through (as a room or mine)
  9. to provide an opening in (a burning structure) to permit escape of smoke and heat

ven·ti·la·tion [,ven-tə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of ventilating
  2. circulation of air
    • a room with good ventilation
  3. the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic to respiration
  4. a system or means of providing fresh air

ven·ti·la·tor ['ven-tə-,lā-tər] -n

  1. : one that ventilates: as
  2. a contrivance for introducing fresh air or expelling foul or stagnant air
  3. respirator

ven·ti·la·to·ry ['ven-tə-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or provided with ventilation
    • ventilatory capacity of the lung

ventr- -comb form

  1. ventral and
    • ventro lateral

ven·tral ['ven-trəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the belly : abdominal
  2. being or located near or on the anterior or lower surface of an animal opposite the back
  3. being or located on the lower surface of a dorsiventral plant structure

ventral -n

  1. a ventral part (as a scale or fin)

ventral root -n

  1. the one of the two roots of a spinal nerve that passes ventrally from the spinal cord and consists of motor fibers

ven·tri·cle ['ven-tri-kəl] -n

  1. : a cavity of a bodily part or organ: as
  2. a chamber of the heart which receives blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries
  3. any of a system of communicating cavities in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord

ven·tri·cose [-,kōs] -adj

  1. markedly swollen, distended, or inflated esp. on one side
    • ventricose corollas

ven·tric·u·lar [ven-'tri-kyə-lər, vən-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a ventricle
    • ventricular fibrillation
    • ventricular pressure
    • ventricular myocardium

ventricular assist device -n

  1. a device implanted in the chest or upper abdomen to assist a damaged or weakened heart in pumping blood

ven·tric·u·lus [ven-'tri-kyə-ləs, vən-] -n

  1. : a digestive cavity (as a gizzard or stomach)

ven·tril·o·quism [ven-'tri-lə-,kwi-zəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. the production of the voice in such a way that the sound seems to come from a source other than the vocal organs of the speaker
  2. the expression of one's views and attitudes through another
  3. such expression by a writer through a fictional character or literary persona

ven·tril·o·quist [ven-'tri-lə-kwist] -n, adj

  1. one who uses or is skilled in ventriloquism
  2. one who provides entertainment by using ventriloquism to carry on an apparent conversation with a hand-manipulated dummy

ven·tril·o·quize [ven-'tri-lə-,kwīz] -vb

  1. to use ventriloquism
  2. to utter in the manner of a ventriloquist

ven·tril·o·quy [-kwē] -n

  1. ventriloquism

ven·tro·lat·er·al [,ven-,trō-'la-tə-rəl, -'la-trəl] -adj

  1. ventral and lateral

ven·tro·me·di·al [-'mē-dē-əl] -adj

  1. ventral and medial

ven·ture ['ven(t)-shər] -vb, n

  1. to expose to hazard : risk, gamble
    • ventured a buck or two on the race
  2. to undertake the risks and dangers of : brave
    • ventured the stormy sea
  3. to offer at the risk of rebuff, rejection, or censure
    • venture an opinion
  4. to proceed esp. in the face of danger

venture -n

  1. destiny, fortune, chance
  2. an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger
  3. a speculative business enterprise
  4. a venturesome act
  5. something (as money or property) at stake in a speculative venture

venture capital -n

  1. capital (as retained corporate earnings or individual savings) invested or available for investment in the ownership element of new or fresh enterprise called also risk capital

ven·ture·some ['ven(t)-shər-səm] -adj, adv, n

  1. involving risk : hazardous
    • a venturesome journey
  2. inclined to court or incur risk or danger : daring
    • a venturesome investor

ven·tu·ri [ven-'tu̇r-ē] -n

  1. a short tube with a tapering constriction in the middle that causes an increase in the velocity of flow of a fluid and a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure and that is used esp. in measuring fluid flow or for creating a suction (as for driving aircraft instruments or drawing fuel into the flow stream of a carburetor)

ven·tur·ous ['ven(t)-sh(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. venturesome

ven·ue ['ven-,yü] -n

  1. the place from which a jury is drawn and in which trial is held
    • requested a change of venue
  2. the place or county in which take place the alleged events from which a legal action arises
  3. a statement showing that a case is brought to the proper court or authority
  4. locale
  5. a place where events of a specific type are held
    • music venue s
  6. outlet

ve·nule ['vēn-(,)yül, 'ven-] -n

  1. a small vein
  2. any of the minute veins connecting the capillaries with the larger systemic veins

Ve·nus ['vē-nəs] -n

  1. the Roman goddess of love and beauty
  2. the planet second in order from the sun

Ve·nus·berg [-,bərg] -n

  1. a mountain in central Germany containing a cavern where in medieval legend Venus held court

Venus fly·trap [-'flī-,trap] -n

  1. an insectivorous plant ( Dionaea muscipula) of the sundew family of the Carolina coast with the leaf apex modified into an insect trap called also Venus's-flytrap

Ve·nushair [-,her] -n

  1. a delicate maidenhair fern ( Adiantum capillus-veneris) that grows chiefly on wet calcareous rocks

Ve·nu·sian [vi-'nü-zhən, -'nyü-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the planet Venus

Ve·nus's flow·erbas·ket ['vē-nə-səz-, 'vē-nəs-] -n

  1. any of several glass sponges (genus Euplectella) of the western Pacific and Indian oceans called also Venus flower basket

ve·ra·cious [və-'rā-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. truthful, honest
  2. marked by truth : accurate

ve·rac·i·ty [və-'ra-sə-tē] -n

  1. devotion to the truth : truthfulness
  2. power of conveying or perceiving truth
  3. conformity with truth or fact : accuracy
  4. something true
    • makes lies sound like veracities

ve·ran·da [və-'ran-də] -n

  1. a usu. roofed open gallery or portico attached to the exterior of a building

ve·ran·daed [-dəd] -adj

  1. having a veranda

ve·rap·a·mil [və-'ra-pə-,mil] -n

  1. a calcium channel blocker C 27H 38N 2O 4used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride

ve·rat·ri·dine [və-'ra-trə-,dēn] -n

  1. a poisonous alkaloid C 36H 51NO 11occurring esp. in sabadilla seed

ve·ra·trine ['ver-ə-,trēn, və-'ra-trən] -n

  1. a poisonous irritant mixture of alkaloids from sabadilla seed that has been used as a counterirritant and insecticide

ve·ra·trum [və-'rā-trəm] -n

  1. hellebore

verb ['vərb] -n, adj

  1. a word that characteristically is the grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act, occurrence, or mode of being, that in various languages is inflected for agreement with the subject, for tense, for voice, for mood, or for aspect, and that typically has rather full descriptive meaning and characterizing quality but is sometimes nearly devoid of these esp. when used as an auxiliary or linking verb

ver·bal ['vər-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of words
    • verbal instructions
  2. of, relating to, or involving words rather than meaning or substance
    • a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic -- B. N. Cardozo
  3. consisting of or using words only and not involving action
    • verbal abuse
  4. of, relating to, or formed from a verb
    • a verbal adjective
  5. spoken rather than written
    • a verbal contract
  6. verbatim, word-for-word
    • a verbal translation
  7. of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words
    • verbal aptitude

verbal -n

  1. a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective

verbal auxiliary -n

  1. an auxiliary verb

ver·bal·ism ['vər-bə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. a verbal expression : term
  2. phrasing, wording
  3. words used as if they were more important than the realities they represent
    • the emancipation of science from verbalism -- G. A. L. Sarton
  4. a wordy expression of little meaning
  5. verbosity

ver·bal·ist [-list] -n, adj

  1. one who stresses words above substance or reality
  2. a person who uses words skillfully

ver·bal·ize ['vər-bə-,līz] -vb, n

  1. to speak or write verbosely
  2. to express something in words
  3. to convert into a verb
  4. to name or express in words

verbal noun -n

  1. a noun derived directly from a verb or verb stem and in some uses having the sense and constructions of a verb

ver·ba·tim [(,)vər-'bā-təm] -adv

  1. in the exact words : word for word

verbatim -adj

  1. being in or following the exact words : word-for-word

ver·be·na [(,)vər-'bē-nə] -n

  1. vervain
  2. any of numerous garden vervains of hybrid origin widely grown for their showy spikes of white, pink, red, or blue flowers which are borne in profusion over a long season

ver·biage ['vər-bē-ij also -bij] -n

  1. a profusion of words usu. of little or obscure content
    • such a tangled maze of evasive verbiage as a typical party platform -- Marcia Davenport
  2. manner of expressing oneself in words : diction
    • sportswriters guarded their verbiage so jealously -- R. A. Sokolov

ver·bi·cide ['vər-bə-,sīd] -n

  1. deliberate distortion of the sense of a word (as in punning)
  2. one who distorts the sense of a word

ver·bid ['vər-bəd] -n

  1. verbal

ver·big·er·a·tion [(,)vər-,bi-jə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. continual repetition of stereotyped phrases (as in some forms of mental illness)

ver·bose [(,)vər-'bōs] -adj, adv, n

  1. containing more words than necessary : wordy
    • a verbose reply
  2. impaired by wordiness
    • a verbose style
  3. given to wordiness
    • a verbose orator

ver·bo·ten [vər-'bō-tᵊn, fər-, ver-] -adj

  1. forbidden
  2. prohibited by dictate

verb sap ['vərb-'sap]

  1. verbum sap

ver·bum sap [,vər-bəm-'sap]

  1. enough said used to indicate that something left unsaid may or should be inferred

ver·dant ['vər-dᵊnt] -adj, n, adv

  1. green in tint or color
  2. green with growing plants
    • verdant fields
  3. unripe in experience or judgment : green

verd an·tique [,vərd-,an-'tēk] -n

  1. a green mottled or veined serpentine marble or calcareous serpentine much used for indoor decoration esp. by the ancient Romans

ver·der·er ['vər-dər-ər] -n

  1. a onetime English judicial officer in charge of the king's forest

ver·dict ['vər-(,)dikt] -n

  1. the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial
  2. opinion, judgment

ver·di·gris ['vər-də-,grēs, -,gris, -grəs also -,grē] -n

  1. a green or greenish-blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper and consisting of one or more basic copper acetates
  2. normal copper acetate Cu(C 2H 3O 2) 2H 2O
  3. a green or bluish deposit esp. of copper carbonates formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces

ver·din ['vər-dᵊn] -n

  1. a very small yellow-headed bird ( Auriparus flaviceps) of arid scrublands that is related to the chickadee and is found from Texas to California and southward to Mexico

ver·dure ['vər-jər also -dyər] -n, adj

  1. the greenness of growing vegetation
  2. such vegetation itself
  3. a condition of health and vigor

ver·dured ['vər-jərd also -dyərd] -adj

  1. covered with verdure

verge ['vərj] -n

  1. a rod or staff carried as an emblem of authority or symbol of office
  2. a stick or wand held by a person being admitted to tenancy while he swears fealty
  3. the spindle of a watch balance
  4. a spindle with pallets in an old vertical escapement
  5. the male copulatory organ of any of various invertebrates
  6. : something that borders, limits, or bounds: as
  7. an outer margin of an object or structural part
  8. the edge of roof covering (as tiling) projecting over the gable of a roof
  9. a paved or planted strip of land at the edge of a road : shoulder
  10. brink, threshold
    • a country on the verge of destruction -- Archibald MacLeish
  11. to be contiguous
  12. to be on the verge or border
    • the line where sentiment verge s on mawkishness -- Thomas Hardy
  13. to move or tend toward the horizon : sink
  14. to move or extend in some direction or toward some condition
    • verging to a hasty decline -- Edward Gibbon
  15. to be in transition or change

verg·er ['vər-jər] -n

  1. an attendant that carries a verge (as before a bishop or justice)
  2. a church official who keeps order during services or serves as an usher or a sacristan

ve·rid·i·cal [və-'ri-di-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. truthful, veracious
    • tried...to supply...a veridical background to the events and people portrayed -- Laura Krey
  2. not illusory : genuine
    • it is assumed that...perception is veridical -- George Lakoff

ver·i·fi·able [,ver-ə-'fī-ə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being verified

ver·i·fi·ca·tion [,ver-ə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of verifying : the state of being verified

ver·i·fy ['ver-ə-,fī] -vt, n

  1. to confirm or substantiate in law by oath
  2. to establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of
    • verify the claim

ver·i·ly ['ver-ə-lē] -adv

  1. in truth : certainly
  2. truly, confidently

veri·sim·i·lar [,ver-ə-'si-mə-lər, -'sim-lər] -adj, adv

  1. having the appearance of truth : probable
  2. depicting realism (as in art or literature)

veri·si·mil·i·tude [-sə-'mi-lə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n, adj

  1. the quality or state of being verisimilar
  2. something verisimilar

ve·rism ['vir-,i-zəm, 'ver-] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. artistic use of contemporary everyday material in preference to the heroic or legendary esp. in grand opera

ve·ris·mo [vā-'rēz-(,)mō] -n

  1. verism
  2. realism

ver·i·ta·ble ['ver-ə-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary often used to stress the aptness of a metaphor
    • a veritable mountain of references

ve·ri·te [,ver-ə-'tā] -n

  1. the art or technique of filming (as a motion picture) so as to convey candid realism

ver·i·ty ['ver-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being true or real
  2. something (as a statement) that is true
  3. a fundamental and inevitably true value
    • such eternal verities as honor, love, and patriotism
  4. the quality or state of being truthful or honest
    • the king-becoming graces, as justice, verity -- Shak.

ver·juice ['vər-,jüs] -n

  1. the sour juice of crab apples or of unripe fruit (as grapes or apples)
  2. an acid liquor made from verjuice
  3. acidity of disposition or manner

ver·meil -n, adj

  1. vermilion
  2. gilded silver

vermi- -comb form

  1. worm
    • vermi form

ver·mi·cel·li [,vər-mə-'che-lē, -'se-] -n

  1. pasta made in long solid strings smaller in diameter than spaghetti

ver·mi·cide ['vər-mə-,sīd] -n

  1. an agent that destroys worms

ver·mic·u·lar [(,)vər-'mi-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. resembling a worm in form or motion
  2. vermiculate
  3. of, relating to, or caused by worms

ver·mic·u·late [-lət] -adj, n

  1. tortuous, involute
  2. full of worms : worm-eaten
  3. vermiform
  4. marked with irregular fine lines or with wavy impressed lines
    • a vermiculate nut

ver·mic·u·lite [(,)vər-'mi-kyə-,līt] -n

  1. any of various micaceous minerals that are hydrous silicates resulting usu. from expansion of the granules of mica at high temperatures to give a lightweight highly water-absorbent material

ver·mi·cul·ture ['vər-mə-,kəl-chər] -n

  1. the cultivation of annelid worms (as earthworms or bloodworms) esp. for use as bait or in composting

ver·mi·form ['vər-mə-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. resembling a worm in shape

vermiform appendix -n

  1. a narrow blind tube usu. about three to four inches (8 to 10 centimeters) long that extends from the cecum in the lower right-hand part of the abdomen

ver·mi·fuge ['vər-mə-,fyüj] -n

  1. an agent that destroys or expels parasitic worms : anthelmintic

ver·mil·ion [vər-'mil-yən] -n

  1. a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide
  2. any of various red pigments
  3. a vivid reddish orange

ver·min ['vər-mən] -n

  1. small common harmful or objectionable animals (as lice or fleas) that are difficult to control
  2. birds and mammals that prey on game
  3. animals that at a particular time and place compete (as for food) with humans or domestic animals
  4. an offensive person

ver·min·ous ['vər-mə-nəs] -adj

  1. consisting of or being vermin : noxious
  2. forming a breeding place for or infested by vermin : filthy
    • verminous garbage
  3. caused by vermin
    • verminous disease

ver·mis ['vər-mis] -n

  1. the constricted median lobe of the cerebellum that connects the two lateral lobes

ver·mouth [vər-'müth] -n

  1. a dry or sweet aperitif wine flavored with aromatic herbs and often used in mixed drinks

ver·nac·u·lar [və(r)-'na-kyə-lər] -adj, adv

  1. using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language
  2. of, relating to, or being a nonstandard language or dialect of a place, region, or country
  3. of, relating to, or being the normal spoken form of a language
  4. applied to a plant or animal in the common native speech as distinguished from the Latin nomenclature of scientific classification
    • the vernacular name
  5. of, relating to, or characteristic of a period, place, or group
  6. of, relating to, or being the common building style of a period or place
    • vernacular architecture

vernacular -n

  1. a vernacular language, expression, or mode of expression
  2. the mode of expression of a group or class
  3. a vernacular name of a plant or animal

ver·nac·u·lar·ism [və(r)-'na-kyə-lə-,ri-zəm] -n

  1. a vernacular word or idiom

ver·nal ['vər-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or occurring in the spring
    • vernal equinox
    • vernal sunshine
  2. fresh or new like the spring
  3. youthful

ver·nal·i·za·tion [,vər-nə-lə-'zā-shən] -n, vt

  1. the act or process of hastening the flowering and fruiting of plants by treating seeds, bulbs, or seedlings so as to induce a shortening of the vegetative period

ver·na·tion [(,)vər-'nā-shən] -n

  1. the arrangement of foliage leaves within the bud

Ver·ner's law ['ver-nərz-] -n

  1. a statement in historical linguistics: in medial or final position in voiced environments and when the immediately preceding vowel did not bear the principal accent in Proto-Indo-European, the Proto-Germanic voiceless fricatives f,, and derived from the Proto-Indo-European voiceless stops p, t,and kand the Proto-Germanic voiceless fricative sderived from Proto-Indo-European sbecame the voiced fricatives , , , and zrepresented in various recorded Germanic languages by b, d, g,and r

ver·ni·cle ['vər-ni-kəl] -n

  1. veronica

ver·ni·er ['vər-nē-ər] -n

  1. a short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument for indicating parts of divisions
  2. a small auxiliary device used with a main device to obtain fine adjustment
  3. any of two or more small supplementary rocket engines or gas nozzles on a missile or a rocket vehicle for making fine adjustments in the speed or course or controlling the attitude called also vernier engine

vernier -adj

  1. having or comprising a vernier

vernier caliper -n

  1. a measuring device that consists of a main scale with a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw with an attached vernier

ver·nis·sage [,ver-ni-'säzh] -n

  1. a private showing or preview of an art exhibition

ve·ron·i·ca [və-'rä-ni-kə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Veronica) of annual or perennial herbs of the snapdragon family that have small pink, white, blue or purple flowers with a 4- or 5-lobed calyx, a rotate corolla, two stamens, and the fruit a compressed capsule

veronica -n

  1. an image of Christ's face said to have been impressed on the cloth that St. Veronica gave him to wipe his face with on the way to his crucifixion
  2. a cloth resembling the legendary one of St. Veronica
  3. a pase in bullfighting in which the cape is swung slowly away from the charging bull while the matador keeps his feet in the same position

Ve·ro·nique [,vā-rȯ-'nēk] -adj

  1. prepared or garnished with usu. white seedless grapes
    • sole Veronique

ver·ru·ca [və-'rü-kə] -n

  1. a wart or warty skin lesion
  2. a warty elevation on a plant or animal surface

ver·ru·cas [və-'rü-kə] -n

(variant of verruca)

  1. a wart or warty skin lesion
  2. a warty elevation on a plant or animal surface

verruca vul·ga·ris [-,vəl-'ger-əs] -n

  1. wart
  2. one occurring on the back of the fingers and hands

ver·ru·cose [və-'rü-,kōs] -adj

  1. covered with warty elevations

ver·sal ['vər-səl, 'vär-] -adj

  1. entire, whole
    • as pale as any clout in the versal world -- Shak.

ver·sant ['vər-sᵊnt] -adj

  1. experienced, practiced
  2. conversant

ver·sa·tile ['vər-sə-tᵊl, esp Brit -,tī(-ə)l] -adj, adv, n

  1. changing or fluctuating readily : variable
    • a versatile disposition
  2. embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills
  3. turning with ease from one thing to another
  4. capable of turning forward or backward : reversible
    • a versatile toe of a bird
  5. capable of moving laterally and up and down
    • versatile antennae
  6. having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
  7. having many uses or applications
    • versatile building material

ver·sa·til·i·ty [,vər-sə-'ti-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being versatile
    • a writer of great versatility

vers de so·ci·e·te [,ver-də-,sō-sē-ə-'tā] -n

  1. witty and typically ironic light verse

verse ['vərs] -n

  1. a line of metrical writing
  2. metrical language
  3. metrical writing distinguished from poetry esp. by its lower level of intensity
  4. poetry
  5. poem
  6. a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
  7. stanza
  8. one of the short divisions into which a chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided
  9. to make verse : versify
  10. to tell or celebrate in verse
  11. to turn into verse
  12. to familiarize by close association, study, or experience
    • well versed in the theater

vers·et ['vər-sət, -,set; ,vər-'set] -n

  1. a short verse esp. from a sacred book (as the Koran)

ver·si·cle ['vər-si-kəl] -n

  1. a short verse or sentence (as from a psalm) said or sung by a leader in public worship and followed by a response from the people
  2. a little verse

ver·sic·u·lar [,vər-'si-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. of or relating to verses or versicles

ver·si·fi·ca·tion [,vər-sə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the making of verses
  2. metrical structure : prosody
  3. a particular metrical structure or style
  4. a version in verse of something orig. in prose

ver·si·fi·er ['vər-sə-,fī(-ə)r] -n

  1. one that versifies
  2. a writer of light or inferior verse

ver·si·fy [-,fī] -vb

  1. to compose verses
  2. to relate or describe in verse
  3. to turn into verse

ver·sion ['vər-zhən, -shən] -n, adj

  1. a translation from another language
  2. a translation of the Bible or a part of it
  3. an account or description from a particular point of view esp. as contrasted with another account
  4. an adaptation of a literary work
    • the movie version of the novel
  5. an arrangement of a musical composition
  6. a form or variant of a type or original
    • an experimental version of the airplane
  7. a condition in which an organ and esp. the uterus is turned from its normal position
  8. manual turning of a fetus in the uterus to aid delivery

vers li·bre [ver-'lēbrᵊ] -n

  1. free verse

versli·brist [-'lē-brist] -n

  1. a writer of free verse

ver·so ['vər-(,)sō] -n

  1. the side of a leaf (as of a manuscript) that is to be read second
  2. a left-hand page

verst ['vərst] -n

  1. a Russian unit of distance equal to 0.6629 mile (1.067 kilometers)

ver·sus ['vər-səs, -səz] -prep

  1. against
  2. in contrast to or as the alternative of
    • free trade versus protection

vert ['vərt] -n

  1. green forest vegetation esp. when forming cover or providing food for deer
  2. the right or privilege (as in England) of cutting living wood or sometimes of pasturing animals in a forest
  3. the heraldic color green
  4. vertical

ver·te·bra ['vər-tə-brə, -,brā] -n

  1. one of the bony or cartilaginous segments composing the spinal column, consisting in some lower vertebrates of several distinct elements which never become united, and in higher vertebrates having a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the spinal cord

ver·te·bral [(,)vər-'tē-brəl, 'vər-tə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being vertebrae or the vertebral column : spinal
    • a vertebral fracture

vertebral canal -n

  1. a canal that contains the spinal cord and is delimited by the arches on the dorsal side of the vertebrae called also spinal canal

vertebral column -n

  1. spinal column

ver·te·brate ['vər-tə-brət, -,brāt] -adj

  1. having a spinal column
  2. of or relating to the vertebrates
  3. organized or constructed in orderly or developed form

vertebrate -n

  1. any of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates possessing a spinal column that includes the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes

ver·tex ['vər-,teks] -n

  1. the top of the head
  2. the point opposite to and farthest from the base in a figure
  3. a point (as of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network) that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection of two or more lines or curves
  4. a point where an axis of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the curve itself
  5. a principal or highest point : summit
    • the vertex of the hill

ver·ti·cal ['vər-ti-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith
  2. taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
  3. perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright
  4. located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface
  5. lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise
  6. relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale
    • a vertical monopoly
  7. of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status
    • the vertical arrangement of society

vertical angle -n

  1. either of two angles lying on opposite sides of two intersecting lines

vertical circle -n

  1. a great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is perpendicular to that of the horizon

vertical file -n

  1. a collection of articles (as pamphlets and clippings) that is maintained (as in a library) to answer brief questions or to provide points of information not easily located

vertical union -n

  1. industrial union

ver·ti·cil ['vər-tə-,sil] -n

  1. whorl

ver·ti·cil·late [,vər-tə-'si-lət] -adj

  1. arranged in whorls

ver·ti·cil·li·um wilt [,vər-tə-'si-lē-əm-] -n

  1. a wilt disease of various plants that is caused by a soil-borne imperfect fungus (genus Verticillium)

ver·tig·i·nous [(,)vər-'ti-jə-nəs] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness
  2. inclined to frequent and often pointless change : inconstant
  3. causing or tending to cause dizziness
    • the vertiginous heights
  4. marked by turning : rotary
    • the vertiginous motion of the earth

ver·ti·go ['vər-ti-,gō] -n

  1. a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily
  2. a dizzy confused state of mind
  3. disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease in lower animals
  4. a disease (as gid) causing this

vertu [,vər-'tü, ,vir-] -n

(variant of virtu)

  1. a love of or taste for curios or objets d'art
  2. productions of art esp. of a curious or antique nature : objets d'art

ver·vain ['vər-,vān] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Verbenaof the family Verbenaceae, the vervain family) of chiefly American plants having bracted spicate flowers, a corolla with a 5-lobed limb, and a fruit that separates into four nutlets

verve ['vərv] -n

  1. special ability or talent
  2. the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : vivacity
  3. energy, vitality

ver·vet ['vər-vət] -n

  1. green monkey

very ['ver-ē, 've-rē] -adj

  1. properly entitled to the name or designation : true
    • the fierce hatred of a very woman -- J. M. Barrie
  2. actual, real
    • the very blood and bone of our grammar -- H. L. Smith 1972
  3. simple, plain
    • in very truth
  4. exact, precise
    • the very heart of the city
  5. exactly suitable or necessary
    • the very thing for the purpose
  6. absolute, utter
    • the veriest fool alive
  7. unqualified, sheer
    • the very shame of it
  8. used as an intensive esp. to emphasize identity
    • before my very eyes
  9. mere, bare
    • the very thought terrified him
  10. being the same one : selfsame
    • the very man I saw
  11. special, particular
    • the very essence of truth is plainness and brightness -- John Milton
  12. in actual fact : truly
    • the very best store in town
    • told the very same story
  13. to a high degree : exceedingly
    • very hot
    • didn't hurt very much

very hard -adj

  1. suitable chiefly for grating

very high frequency -n

  1. a radio frequency between ultrahigh frequency and high frequency

Ve·ry light ['ver-ē-, 'vir-ē-] -n

  1. a pyrotechnic signal in a system of signaling using white or colored balls of fire projected from a special pistol

very lowdensity lipoprotein -n

  1. vldl

very low frequency -n

  1. a radio frequency between low frequency and voice frequency

Ve·ry pistol ['ver-ē-, 'vir-ē-] -n

  1. a pistol for firing Very lights

Very Reverend ['ver-ē-, 've-rē-]

  1. used as a title for various ecclesiastical officials (as cathedral deans and canons, rectors of Roman Catholic colleges and seminaries, and superiors of some religious houses)

ves·i·cal ['ve-si-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the urinary bladder
    • vesical burning

ves·i·cant ['ve-si-kənt] -n, adj

  1. an agent (as a chemical weapon) that induces blistering

ves·i·cle ['ve-si-kəl] -n

  1. a membranous and usu. fluid-filled pouch (as a cyst, vacuole, or cell) in a plant or animal
  2. a small abnormal elevation of the outer layer of skin enclosing a watery liquid : blister
  3. a pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ
  4. a small cavity in a mineral or rock

ve·sic·u·lar [və-'si-kyə-lər, ve-] -adj, n

  1. containing, composed of, or characterized by vesicles
    • vesicular lava
  2. having the form or structure of a vesicle
  3. of or relating to vesicles

vesicular stomatitis -n

  1. an acute viral disease esp. of various domesticated animals (as horses and cows) that resembles foot-and-mouth disease, is marked by erosive blisters in and about the mouth, and is caused by any of three rhabdoviruses (species Vesicular stomatitis Alagoas virus, Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus,and Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virusof the genus Vesiculovirus) which sometimes infect humans producing flu-like symptoms

ve·sic·u·late [və-'si-kyə-,lāt, ve-] -vb, n

  1. to make vesicular
  2. to become vesicular

ves·per ['ves-pər] -n

  1. evening star
  2. a vesper bell
  3. evening, eventide

vesper -adj

  1. of or relating to vespers or the evening

ves·per·al ['ves-p(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. vesper
    • a vesperal breeze

ves·pers ['ves-pərz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. the sixth of the canonical hours that is said or sung in the late afternoon
  2. a service of evening worship

ves·per·til·ian [,ves-pər-'ti-lē-ən, -'til-yən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a bat
    • flaunts vespertilian wing and cloven hoof -- Robert Graves

ves·per·tine ['ves-pər-,tīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or occurring in the evening
    • vespertine shadows
  2. active, flowering, or flourishing in the evening : crepuscular

ves·pid ['ves-pəd] -n, adj

  1. any of a cosmopolitan family (Vespidae) of chiefly social wasps that usu. live in colonies like bees

ves·pine ['ves-,pīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling wasps and esp. vespid wasps

ves·sel ['ve-səl] -n

  1. a container (as a cask, bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something
  2. a person into whom some quality (as grace) is infused
    • a child of light, a true vessel of the Lord -- H. J. Laski
  3. a watercraft bigger than a rowboat
  4. ship
  5. a tube or canal (as an artery) in which a body fluid is contained and conveyed or circulated
  6. a conducting tube in the xylem of a vascular plant formed by the fusion and loss of end walls of a series of cells

vest ['vest] -vb

  1. to place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority
  2. to give to a person a legally fixed immediate right of present or future enjoyment of (as an estate)
  3. to grant or endow with a particular authority, right, or property
    • the plan vest s workers with pension benefits after 10 years of service
  4. to clothe with or as if with a garment
  5. to robe in ecclesiastical vestments
  6. to become legally vested
  7. to put on garments or vestments
  8. a loose outer garment : robe
  9. clothing, garb
  10. a sleeveless garment for the upper body usu. worn over a shirt
  11. a protective usu. sleeveless garment (as a life preserver) that extends to the waist
  12. an insulated sleeveless waist-length garment often worn under or in place of a coat
  13. a man's sleeveless undershirt
  14. a knitted undershirt for women
  15. a plain or decorative piece used to fill in the front neckline of a woman's outer garment (as a blouse or dress)

ves·ta ['ves-tə] -n

  1. the Roman goddess of the hearth
  2. a short match with a shank of wax-coated threads
  3. a short wooden match

ves·tal ['ves-tᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Roman goddess Vesta
  2. of or relating to a vestal virgin
  3. chaste

vestal -n

  1. vestal virgin

vestal virgin -n

  1. a virgin consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to the service of watching the sacred fire perpetually kept burning on her altar
  2. a chaste woman

vest·ed ['ves-təd] -adj

  1. fully and unconditionally guaranteed as a legal right, benefit, or privilege
    • the vested benefits of the pension plan
  2. having a vest
    • a vested suit

vested interest -n

  1. an interest (as a title to an estate) carrying a legal right of present or future enjoyment
  2. a right vested in an employee under a pension plan
  3. a special concern or stake in maintaining or influencing a condition, arrangement, or action esp. for selfish ends
  4. one having a vested interest in something
  5. a group enjoying benefits from an existing economic or political privilege

vest·ee [ve-'stē] -n

  1. dickey
  2. one made to resemble a vest
  3. vest

ves·ti·ary ['ves-tē-,er-ē, 'vesh-chē-] -n

  1. a room where clothing is kept
  2. clothing, raiment

ves·tib·u·lar [ve-'sti-byə-lər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or functioning as a vestibule
  2. of, relating to, or affecting the perception of body position and movement
    • the vestibular system of the inner ear

ves·ti·bule ['ves-tə-,byül] -n, adj

  1. a passage, hall, or room between the outer door and the interior of a building : lobby
  2. an enclosed entrance at the end of a railway passenger car
  3. : any of various bodily cavities esp. when serving as or resembling an entrance to some other cavity or space: as
  4. the central cavity of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear or the parts (as the saccule and utricle) of the membranous labyrinth that it contains
  5. the part of the left ventricle below the aortic orifice
  6. the space between the labia minora containing the orifice of the urethra
  7. the part of the mouth cavity outside the teeth and gums
  8. a course that offers access (as to something new)

vestibule school -n

  1. a school organized in an industrial plant to train new workers in specific skills

ves·tib·u·lo·co·chle·ar nerve [ve-,sti-byə-lō-'kō-klē-ər-, -'kä-] -n

  1. auditory nerve

ves·tige ['ves-tij] -n, adj, adv

  1. a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost
  2. the smallest quantity or trace
  3. footprint
  4. a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms

ves·ti·men·tif·er·an [,ves-tə-,men-'ti-f(ə-)rən] -n, adj

  1. any of a taxonomic group (Vestimentifera) of very large tube worms that may grow to 9 feet (3 meters) in length and more than an inch (3 centimeters) in diameter, are found esp. near deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and are considered pogonophorans or a separate phylum or polychaetes

vest·ing ['ves-tiŋ] -n

  1. the conveying to an employee of the inalienable right to share in a pension fund esp. in the event of termination of employment prior to the normal retirement age
  2. the right so conveyed

vest·ment ['ves(t)-mənt] -n, adj

  1. an outer garment
  2. a robe of ceremony or office
  3. clothing, garb
  4. a covering resembling a garment
  5. one of the articles of the ceremonial attire and insignia worn by ecclesiastical officiants and assistants as indicative of their rank and appropriate to the rite being celebrated

vestpocket -adj

  1. adapted to fit into the vest pocket
    • a vestpocket edition of a book
  2. of very small size or scope

vestpocket park -n

  1. a very small urban park

ves·try ['ves-trē] -n

  1. sacristy
  2. a room used for church meetings and classes
  3. the business meeting of an English parish
  4. an elective body in an Episcopal parish composed of the rector and a group of elected parishioners administering the temporal affairs of the parish

ves·try·man [-trē-mən] -n

  1. a member of a vestry

ves·ture ['ves-chər, 'vesh-] -n

  1. a covering garment (as a robe or vestment)
  2. clothing, apparel
  3. something that covers like a garment

vesture -vt

  1. to cover with vesture : clothe

ve·su·vi·an [və-'sü-vē-ən] -n

  1. a match used esp. formerly for lighting cigars

Ve·su·vi·an [və-'sü-vē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling the volcano Vesuvius
  2. marked by sudden outbursts
    • has a Vesuvian temper, but quickly controls himself -- Sidney Shalett

ve·su·vi·an·ite [-vē-ə-,nīt] -n

  1. idocrase

vet ['vet] -n

  1. veterinarian, veterinary
  2. to provide veterinary care for (an animal) or medical care for (a person)
  3. to subject (a person or animal) to a physical examination or checkup
  4. to subject to usu. expert appraisal or correction
    • vet a manuscript
  5. to evaluate for possible approval or acceptance
    • vet the candidates for a position
  6. veteran

vetch ['vech] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Vicia) of herbaceous twining leguminous plants including some grown for fodder and green manure

vetch·ling ['vech-liŋ] -n

  1. any of various leguminous herbs (genus Lathyrusand esp. L. pratensis)

vet·er·an ['ve-tə-rən, 've-trən] -n, adj

  1. an old soldier of long service
  2. a former member of the armed forces
  3. a person of long experience usu. in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)

Veterans Day -n

  1. November 11 set aside in commemoration of the end of hostilities in 1918 and 1945 and observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. to honor the veterans of the armed forces

veterans' preference -n

  1. preferential treatment given qualified veterans of the U.S. armed forces under federal or state law
  2. special consideration (as by allowance of points) on a civil service examination

vet·er·i·nar·i·an [,ve-tə-rə-'ner-ē-ən, ,ve-trə-, ,ve-tə-'ner-] -n

  1. a person qualified and authorized to practice veterinary medicine

vet·er·i·nary ['ve-tə-rə-,ner-ē, 've-trə-, 've-tə-,ner-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, practicing, or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals and esp. domestic animals

veterinary -n

  1. veterinarian

veterinary surgeon -n

  1. veterinarian

vet·i·ver ['ve-tə-vər] -n

  1. a tall perennial grass ( Vetiveria zizanioides) of southeastern Asia cultivated in warm regions esp. for its fragrant roots which are used esp. in woven goods (as mats) and in perfumes
  2. its root

ve·to ['vē-(,)tō] -n

  1. an authoritative prohibition : interdiction
  2. a power of one department or branch of a government to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying out of projects attempted by another department
  3. a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature
  4. the exercise of such authority
  5. a message communicating the reasons of an executive and esp. the president of the U.S. for vetoing a proposed law

veto [-,tō-ər] -vt, n

  1. to refuse to admit or approve : prohibit
  2. to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration

ve·toproof [-,prüf] -adj

  1. having enough potential votes to be enacted over a veto or to override vetoes consistently
    • a vetoproof bill

vex ['veks] -vt

  1. to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to
    • the restaurant is vex ed by slow service
  2. to bring physical distress to
    • a headache vex ed him all morning
  3. to irritate or annoy by petty provocations : harass
    • vex ed by the children
  4. puzzle, baffle
    • a problem to vex the keenest wit
  5. to shake or toss about

vex·a·tion [vek-'sā-shən] -n

  1. the act of harassing or vexing : troubling
  2. the quality or state of being vexed : irritation
  3. a cause of trouble : affliction

vex·a·tious [-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. causing vexation : distressing
    • vexatious delays
  2. intended to harass
    • a vexatious lawsuit
  3. full of disorder or stress : troubled
    • a vexatious period in her life

vexed ['vekst] -adj

  1. debated or discussed at length
    • a vexed question

vexed·ly ['vek-səd-lē, 'vekst-lē] -adv

  1. with vexation

vex·il·lol·o·gy [,vek-sə-'lä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the study of flags

vex·il·lum [vek-'si-ləm] -n

  1. a square flag of the ancient Roman cavalry
  2. the web or vane of a feather

vexing -adj, adv

  1. causing or likely to cause vexation : vexatious
    • a vexing problem