vug ['vəg] -n, adj

  1. a small unfilled cavity in a lode or in rock

Vul·can ['vəl-kən] -n

  1. the Roman god of fire and metalworking

vul·ca·ni·an [,vəl-'kā-nē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Vulcan or to working in metals (as iron)
  2. of or relating to a volcanic eruption in which highly viscous or solid lava is blown into fragments and dust

vul·ca·nic·i·ty [,vəl-kə-'ni-sə-tē] -n

  1. volcanism

vul·ca·ni·sate ['vəl-kə-nə-,zāt, ,vəl-kə-'nī-] -n

(variant of vulcanizate)

  1. a vulcanized product

vul·ca·nism ['vəl-kə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. volcanism

vul·ca·ni·zate ['vəl-kə-nə-,zāt, ,vəl-kə-'nī-] -n

  1. a vulcanized product

vul·ca·ni·za·tion [,vəl-kə-nə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. the process of treating crude or synthetic rubber or similar plastic material chemically to give it useful properties (as elasticity, strength, and stability)

vul·ca·nize ['vəl-kə-,nīz] -vb, n

  1. to subject to vulcanization
  2. to undergo vulcanization

vulcanized fiber -n

  1. a tough substance made by treatment of cellulose and used for luggage and electrical insulation and in packaging

vul·ca·nol·o·gy [,vəl-kə-'nä-lə-jē] -n

  1. volcanology

vul·gar ['vəl-gər] -adj, adv

  1. generally used, applied, or accepted
  2. understood in or having the ordinary sense
    • they reject the vulgar conception of miracle -- W. R. Inge
  3. vernacular
    • the vulgar name of a plant
  4. of or relating to the common people : plebeian
  5. generally current : public
    • the vulgar opinion of that time
  6. of the usual, typical, or ordinary kind
  7. lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste : coarse
  8. morally crude, undeveloped, or unregenerate : gross
  9. ostentatious or excessive in expenditure or display : pretentious
  10. offensive in language : earthy
  11. lewdly or profanely indecent

vulgar era -n

  1. christian era

vul·gar·i·an [,vəl-'ger-ē-ən] -n

  1. a vulgar person

vul·gar·ise ['vəl-gə-,rīz] -vt, n

(variant of vulgarize)

  1. to diffuse generally : popularize
  2. to make vulgar : coarsen

vul·gar·ism ['vəl-gə-,ri-zəm] -n

  1. vulgarity
  2. a word or expression originated or used chiefly by illiterate persons
  3. a coarse word or phrase : obscenity

vul·gar·i·ty [,vəl-'ga-rə-tē] -n

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

vul·gar·ize ['vəl-gə-,rīz] -vt, n

  1. to diffuse generally : popularize
  2. to make vulgar : coarsen

Vulgar Latin -n

  1. the nonclassical Latin of ancient Rome including the speech of plebeians and the informal speech of the educated established by comparative evidence as the chief source of the Romance languages

vul·gate ['vəl-,gāt, -gət] -n

  1. a Latin version of the Bible authorized and used by the Roman Catholic Church
  2. a commonly accepted text or reading
  3. the speech of the common people and esp. of uneducated people

vul·gus ['vəl-gəs] -n

  1. a short composition in Latin verse formerly common as an exercise in some English public schools

vul·ner·a·ble ['vəl-n(ə-)rə-bəl, 'vəl-nər-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
  2. open to attack or damage : assailable
    • vulnerable to criticism
  3. liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge

vul·ner·ary ['vəl-nə-,rer-ē] -adj

  1. used for or useful in healing wounds
    • vulnerary plants

vulnerary -n

  1. a vulnerary remedy

vul·pine ['vəl-,pīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a fox
  2. foxy, crafty
    • a vulpine smile
    • vulpine charms

vul·ture ['vəl-chər] -n, adj

  1. any of various large birds (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae) that are related to the hawks, eagles, and falcons but have weaker claws and the head usu. naked and that subsist chiefly or entirely on carrion
  2. a rapacious or predatory person

vul·tur·ine [-chə-,rīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of vultures
  2. rapacious, predatory
    • vulturine legislators

vul·tur·ous ['vəl-chə-rəs, 'vəlch-rəs] -adj

  1. resembling a vulture esp. in rapacity or scavenging habits

vul·va ['vəl-və] -n, adj

  1. the external parts of the female genital organs

vul·vo·vag·i·ni·tis [,vəl-(,)vō-,va-jə-'nī-təs] -n

  1. coincident inflammation of the vulva and vagina