veronica

¹ American  

[vuh-ron-i-kuh] / vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the image of the face of Christ, said in legend to have been miraculously impressed on the handkerchief or veil that St. Veronica gave to Him to wipe His face on the way to Calvary.

2. the handkerchief or veil itself.

3. Also called sudarium.  any handkerchief, veil, or cloth bearing a representation of the face of Christ.

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veronica ² American  

[vuh-ron-i-kuh] / vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and clusters of small flowers, as the speedwell.

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veronica ³ American  

[vuh-ron-i-kuh] / vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /

noun

1. (in bullfighting) a pass in which the matador keeps his feet and legs absolutely still while slowly swinging the open cape away from the charging bull.

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Veronica ⁴ American  

[vuh-ron-i-kuh] / vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /

Or Veronika

noun

1. a female given name.

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veronica ¹ British  

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. the representation of the face of Christ that, according to legend, was miraculously imprinted upon the headcloth that Saint Veronica offered him on his way to his crucifixion

2. the cloth itself

3. any similar representation of Christ's face

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veronica ² British  

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. any scrophulariaceous plant of the genus Veronica, esp the speedwells, of temperate and cold regions, having small blue, pink, or white flowers and flattened notched fruits

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veronica ³ British  

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. bullfighting a pass in which the matador slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull

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Etymology

Origin of veronica¹

First recorded in 1400–500; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin veronica, alleged to be an alteration of vēra īconica “true image,” subsequently also taken as the name of the woman who gave Christ the cloth; see very, icon

Origin of veronica²

First recorded in 1520–30; from New Latin or Medieval Latin, perhaps after veronica ¹ or St. Veronica, but ultimately from Medieval Greek bereníkion plant name, equivalent to Bereník(ē) proper name + -ion diminutive suffix; see origin at Berenice ( def. )

Origin of veronica³

First recorded in 1925–30; from Spanish verónica literally, veronica ¹ (from the resmblance of the matador holding the cape out with both hands to the woman who held the cloth out to Christ)

Example Sentences

Like the early field veronica, which flowered at his feet in the short grass under the hedge, his eyes were blue and grey.

From The Hills and the Vale by Jefferies, Richard

As a medicine, by reason of its astringency, it became called Polychresta herba veronica.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

Everywhere the dog violet and blue veronica flourished in enormous clumps, and near the Strand was a great patch of Solomon's seal.

From The War Service of the 1/4 Royal Berkshire Regiment (T. F.) by Cruttwell, C. R. M. F. (Charles Robert Mowbray Fraser)

In the wide low windows there were two banks of bright autumn flowers, pompons and dwarf roses, mignonette and veronica.

From Vixen, Volume I. by Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth)

The plants still in flower are the dark blue monkshood, which is 7ft. high; the spiked veronica; the meadow-sweet or queen-o'-the-meadow; the lady's mantle, and the evening primrose.

From Garden-Craft Old and New by Sedding, John D.