vestal virgin
noun
(in ancient Rome) one of four, later six, virgins consecrated to Vesta and to the tending of the sacred fire on her altar.
Nearby words
vest, vest-pocket, vest-pocket park, vesta, vestal, vestal virgin, vestal virgins, vestavia hills, vested, vested interest, vestee
Origin of vestal virgin
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
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British Dictionary definitions for vestal virgins
vestal virgin
noun
(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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Culture definitions for vestal virgins
vestal virgins
Women in ancient Rome who took vows of chastity and tended the sacred flame in the temple of the goddess Vesta. Their group numbered six at any one time. A vestal virgin could marry after her term of service was over, but to do so was considered bad luck. A vestal virgin who lost her virginity during her term of service was punished by being buried alive.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.