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

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

She is the vestal virgin who, so far as she can, prevents them from going out.

From Light by Wray, Fitzwater

She had a half-sister, probably older than herself, of the name of Fabia, who was a vestal virgin.

From Roman life in the days of Cicero by Church, Alfred John

She possessed in his eyes something of the sanctity of a vestal virgin, one who must not be profaned by marriage.

From The Mayor of Warwick by Hopkins, Herbert M. (Herbert Müller)