vestal virgin

American  

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) one of four, later six, virgins consecrated to Vesta and to the tending of the sacred fire on her altar.

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vestal virgin British  

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) one of the four, later six, virgin priestesses whose lives were dedicated to Vesta and to maintaining the sacred fire in her temple

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Etymology

Origin of vestal virgin

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vestal virgin

The story of the vestal virgin Claudia Quinta represents one such instance.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

His father was a "lunger," and ex-professor from the East; his mother a vestal virgin dedicated to keeping the home fires burning.

From Time Magazine Archive

They will follow the lead of Byron, who, in his horror at the popularisation of the waltz, declared that Terpsichore was henceforth "the least a vestal virgin of the Nine."

From The Book of This and That by Lynd, Robert

Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus, was a vestal virgin, who lived in the kingdom of Latium about four hundred years after the death of Æneas.

From Romulus Makers of History by Abbott, Jacob

"Many thanks," drawled the vestal virgin, who was still looking into her coffee cup.

From The Woman with the Fan by Hichens, Robert Smythe