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

It is better to be a vestal virgin than—some mothers.

From Different Girls by Various

The younger Pliny gives in one of his letters a pathetic account of the execution of Cornelia, a vestal virgin, by the order of Domitian.

From History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 2 of 2) by Lecky, William Edward Hartpole

It was as if the vestal virgin of beauty had drawn near to fan the flickering light into a fierce flame only to allow it quickly to die out again.

From Right Living as a Fine Art A Study of Channing's Symphony as an Outline of the Ideal Life and Character by Hillis, Newell Dwight