vesica

American  

[vuh-sahy-kuh, -see-kuh, ves-i-kuh] / vəˈsaɪ kə, -ˈsi kə, ˈvɛs ɪ kə /

noun

vesicae plural

1. Anatomy. a bladder.

2. vesica piscis.

---

vesica British  

/ ˈvɛsɪkə /

noun

1. anatomy a technical name for bladder

2. (in medieval sculpture and painting) an aureole in the shape of a pointed oval

---

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• vesicae
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vesica

First recorded in 1675–85, vesica is from the Latin word vēsīca

Example Sentences

The statues are arranged in five horizontal lines from north to south, exclusive of the figure in the "vesica," the oval above.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Salisbury A Description of its Fabric and a Brief History of the See of Sarum by White, Gleeson

In the vault of the apse: a full-length figure of Christ in a vesica dotted with stars.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

Within the vesica piscis, artists usually represent the virgin herself, with or without the child; in the figure before us the child takes her place.

From Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism With an Essay on Baal Worship, On The Assyrian Sacred "Grove," And Other by Inman, Thomas

Above are half-lengths of the Madonna and Child in a vesica starred with cherubs; on the right, SS.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)

Above these, on either side of a great vesica enclosing a representation of our Lord, are two shrines, one marked “Relics,” the other, which stands on the side of greater honour, is marked Scs.

From The Christian Church in These Islands before the Coming of Augustine Three Lectures Delivered at St. Paul's in January 1894 by Browne, G. F. (George Forrest)