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veronica

1
[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]
/ vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /
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Definition of veronica

noun (sometimes initial capital letter)Ecclesiastical.
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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Also called vernicle .

Origin of veronica

1
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

Words nearby veronica

Verny, Vero Beach, Verona, Veronal, Veronese, veronica, verra, Verrazano, Verrazzano, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, verrière

Other definitions for veronica (2 of 4)

veronica2
[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]
/ vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /
noun
any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and clusters of small flowers, as the speedwell.

Origin of veronica

2
First recorded in 1520–30; from New Latin or Medieval Latin, perhaps after veronica1 or St. Veronica, but ultimately from Medieval Greek bereníkion plant name, equivalent to Bereník(ē) proper name + -ion diminutive suffix; see origin at Berenice

Other definitions for veronica (3 of 4)

veronica3
[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]
/ vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /
noun
(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.

Origin of veronica

3
First recorded in 1925–30; from Spanish verónica literally, veronica1 (from the resmblance of the matador holding the cape out with both hands to the woman who held the cloth out to Christ)

Other definitions for veronica (4 of 4)

Veronica

or Ve·ron·i·ka

[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]
/ vəˈrɒn ɪ kə /
noun
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use veronica in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for veronica (1 of 3)

veronica1
/ (vəˈrɒnɪkə) /
noun
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

Word Origin for veronica

C16: from Medieval Latin, perhaps from the name Veronica

British Dictionary definitions for veronica (2 of 3)

veronica2
/ (vəˈrɒnɪkə) /
noun RC Church
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

British Dictionary definitions for veronica (3 of 3)

veronica3
/ (vəˈrɒnɪkə) /
noun
bullfighting a pass in which the matador slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull

Word Origin for veronica

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
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