VESTAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does vestal mean? 

• VESTAL (noun)
  The noun VESTAL has 1 sense:

1. a chaste woman

  Familiarity information: VESTAL used as a noun is very rare.

• VESTAL (adjective)
  The adjective VESTAL has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to Vesta

2. in a state of sexual virginity

  Familiarity information: VESTAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VESTAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A chaste woman

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("vestal" is a kind of...):

adult female; woman (an adult female person (as opposed to a man))

Derivation:

vestal (in a state of sexual virginity)

• VESTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to Vesta

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

vestal virgin

Pertainym:

Vesta ((Roman mythology) goddess of the hearth and its fire whose flame was tended by vestal virgins; counterpart of Greek Hestia)

Derivation:

Vesta (the brightest asteroid but the fourth to be discovered)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a state of sexual virginity

Synonyms:

pure; vestal; virgin; virginal; virtuous

Context example:

men have decreed that their women must be pure and virginal

Similar:

chaste (morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse))

Derivation:

vestal (a chaste woman)