definitions

virginal

1
[ vur-juh-nl ]
/ ˈvɜr dʒə nl /
|
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adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a virgin: virginal purity.
continuing in a state of virginity.
pure; unsullied; untouched: a virginal mountain stream.
Zoology. not fertilized.

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RELATED WORDS

pristine, chaste, angelic, clean, simple, stainless, celibate, quiet, virgin, vestal, moral, innocent, continent, nice, good, clear, safe, upright, austere, controlled

Nearby words

virgin river, virgin soil, virgin wool, virgin's-bower, virgin, the, virginal, virginally, virginals, virginia, virginia and kentucky resolutions, virginia beach

Origin of virginal

1
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin virginālis, equivalent to virgin- virgin + -ālis -al1
Related formsvir·gin·al·ly, adverb

Definition for virginal (2 of 2)

virginal

2
[ vur-juh-nl ]
/ ˈvɜr dʒə nl /

noun

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.

Origin of virginal

2
First recorded in 1520–30; apparently special use of virginal1
Related formsvir·gin·al·ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for virginal

British Dictionary definitions for virginal (1 of 2)

virginal

1
/ (ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, characterized by, proper to, or maintaining a state of virginity; chaste
extremely pure or fresh; untouched; undefiled
Derived Formsvirginally, adverb

Word Origin for virginal

C15: from Latin virginālis maidenly, from virgō virgin

British Dictionary definitions for virginal (2 of 2)

virginal

2
/ (ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for virginal

C16: probably from Latin virginālis virginal 1, perhaps because it was played largely by young ladies
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

Word Origin and History for virginal

virginal

adj.

early 15c., from Old French virginal or directly from Latin virginalis, from virgin (see virgin). The keyed musical instrument so called from 1520s, but the reason is obscure (see virginals).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper