veronica1
[vuh-ron-i-kuh]
- 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.
- the handkerchief or veil itself.
- Also called sudarium. any handkerchief, veil, or cloth bearing a representation of the face of Christ.
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Origin of veronica1
Also called vernicle.
veronica2
[vuh-ron-i-kuh]
- 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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Origin of veronica2
1520–30; < New Latin or Medieval Latin, perhaps after veronica1 or St. Veronica (but compare Medieval Greek bereníkion plant name, equivalent to Bereník(ē) proper name + -ion diminutive suffix)
veronica3
[vuh-ron-i-kuh]
- (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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Origin of veronica3
Veronica
or Ve·ron·i·ka
[vuh-ron-i-kuh]
- a female given name.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for veronica
Contemporary Examples
At the peak of her career as a high-end escort, Veronica Monet got a call.
Marlene is described in the book series, by Veronica Roth, as a girl with "strong features" and a "nice smile."
Model Suki Waterhouse Lands Major Movie Role; Giambattista Valli Launches Second Ready-to-Wear LineThe Fashion Beast Team
May 30, 2014
The tabloid battle between the sweet blonde and the brunette vixen played out like an issue of Betty and Veronica on crack.
Real-Life Couples on Screen: Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, Brangelina, and MoreAmy Zimmerman
May 1, 2014
Author Veronica Roth was only 22 years old when she began writing the novels and…OMG, guuuys, you can totes tell.
Hearts are broken, bad guys are busted, and Veronica leaves Southern California, seemingly forever.
Historical Examples
He needed a little persuasion, though, in spite of Veronica.
RomanceJoseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
Veronica wrote to me; Ralph to his attorney and the Macdonalds.
RomanceJoseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
"A clever letter, contemptible though it is," pronounced Veronica.
Marjorie Dean, College SophomorePauline Lester
One of the earliest Bohemian women composers was Veronica Cianchettini.
Woman's Work in MusicArthur Elson
Veronica was sitting on the floor, staring into the fire, her chin supported by her hand.
They and IJerome K. Jerome
veronica1
- 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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Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin, perhaps from the name Veronica
veronica2
- 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
- the cloth itself
- any similar representation of Christ's face
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veronica3
- bullfighting a pass in which the matador slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull
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Word Origin
from Spanish, from the name Veronica
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for veronica
Veronica
fem. proper name, a variant of Greek Berenike (see Berenice). The popular "Saint Veronica" (not in the Roman Martyrology) traditionally was a pious woman who wiped the face of Christ when he fell carrying the cross to Calvary. The image of his face remained on the cloth, and the "veil of Veronica" has been preserved in Rome from the 8c. Her popularity rose with the propagation of the Stations of the Cross. Some also identified her with the woman with the issue of blood, cured by Christ, as in the East this woman was identified from an early date by the name Berenike.
In sum, it seems likely that the story of Veronica is a delightful legend without any solid historical basis; that Veronica is a purely fictitious, not a historical character, and that the story was invented to explain the relic. It aroused great interest in the later Middle Ages in the general devotional context of increased concern with the humanity of Christ, especially the Holy Face, and the physical elements of his Passion. [David Hugh Farmer, "The Oxford Dictionary of Saints," 1978]
Hence vernicle (mid-14c.) "picture of the face of Christ," from Old French veronicle, variant of veronique.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper