vestal virgin

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.

vestal virgin

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vestal virgin¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50