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

The loveliest veronica; ah, the head fell; but there is another, that will keep.

From In God's Way A Novel by Bj?rnson, Bj?rnstjerne

The fuchsia also grows to a large size; but it is a more delicate plant than the veronica, and thrives only in sheltered places.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Fitzroy, Robert

The violet and cowslip, bluebell and rose, are known to thousands; the veronica is overlooked. 

From Pageant of Summer by Jefferies, Richard

The representative English veronica "Germander Speedwell"—very prettily drawn in S. 986; too tall and weed-like in D. 448.

From Proserpina, Volume 2 Studies Of Wayside Flowers by Ruskin, John

Elsewhere it is the blue of the stachys and the spiked veronica that rules.

From Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine by Barker, Edward Harrison