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virginal

1 American  
[vur-juh-nl] / ˈvɜr dʒə nl /

adjective

  1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a virgin.

    virginal purity.

  2. continuing in a state of virginity.

  3. pure; unsullied; untouched.

    a virginal mountain stream.

  4. Zoology. not fertilized.


virginal 2 American  
[vur-juh-nl] / ˈvɜr dʒə nl /

noun

  1. Often virginals. a rectangular harpsichord with the strings stretched parallel to the keyboard, the earlier types placed on a table: popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.


virginal 1 British  
/ ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, characterized by, proper to, or maintaining a state of virginity; chaste

  2. extremely pure or fresh; untouched; undefiled

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

virginal 2 British  
/ ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl /

noun

  1. (often plural) a smaller version of the harpsichord, but oblong in shape, having one manual and no pedals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • virginalist noun
  • virginally adverb

Etymology

Origin of virginal1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin virginālis, equivalent to virgin- (stem of virgō virgin ) + -ālis -al 1

Origin of virginal2

First recorded in 1520–30; apparently special use of virginal 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sister Megan is a virginal bride of Christ, and a journalist with a morbid fascination with serial killers and crime scenes.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2024

Set in Rome in 1971 just before the events of the first movie, “The First Omen’s” central figure is Margaret Daino, a dewy, virginal American novitiate played by Nell Tiger Free.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2024

Before Roberts, the romance genre was dominated by tepid and virginal women who were overpowered by brooding men.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2023

While as a piece of sculpture, the first Barbie doll was virtually indistinguishable from the Lilli doll, Handler positioned Barbie as a wholesome, virginal, all-American girl next door.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2023

I had some success with the strings of the lute, but my fingers fumbled on the keys of the virginal.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein