Chapter 1821

Vag"a*bond`age (?) , n. [Cf. F. vagabondage .] The condition of a vagabond; a state or habit of wandering about in idleness; vagrancy.

Vagabondism <Xpage=1591>

Vag"a*bond`ism (?) , n. Vagabondage.

Vagabondize <Xpage=1591>

Vag"a*bond`ize (?) , v. i. To play the vagabond; to wander about in idleness.

Vagabondry <Xpage=1591>

Vag"a*bond`ry (?) , n. Vagabondage.

Vagal <Xpage=1591>

Va"gal (?) , a. [See Vagus .] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the vagus, or pneumogastric nerves; pneumogastric.

Vagancy <Xpage=1591>

Va"gan*cy (?) , n. [From L. vagans , p. pr. See Vagantes .] A wandering; vagrancy. [Obs.]

A thousand vagancies of glory and desight. Milton.

Vagantes <Xpage=1591>

Va*gan"tes (?) , p. pl. [NL., fr. L. vagans , p. pr. of vagari to stroll or wander.] (Zo\'94l.) A tribe of spiders, comprising some of those which take their prey in a web, but which also frequently run with agility, and chase and seize their prey.

Vagarious <Xpage=1591>

Va*ga"ri*ous (?) , a. Given to, or characterized by, vagaries; capricious; whimsical; crochety.

Vagary <Xpage=1591>

Va*ga"ry (?) , n. ; pl. Vagaries (#) . [L. vagari to stroll about. See Vague .]

1. A wandering or strolling. [Obs.]

2. Hence, a wandering of the thoughts; a wild or fanciful freak; a whim; a whimsical purpose. "The vagaries of a child."

Spectator.

They changed their minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell. Milton.

Vagient <Xpage=1591>

Va"gi*ent (?) , a. [L. vagiens , p. pr. of vagire to cry like a young child.] Crying like a child. [Obs.]

Vagina <Xpage=1591>

Va*gi"na (?) , n. ; pl. Vagin\'91 (#) . [L. vagina a scabbard or sheath.]

1. (Anat.) (a) A sheath; a theca; as, the vagina of the portal vein . (b) Specifically, the canal which leads from the uterus to the external orifice if the genital canal, or to the cloaca.

2. (Zo\'94l.) The terminal part of the oviduct in insects and various other invertebrates. See Illust ., of Spermatheca .

3. (Bot.) The basal expansion of certain leaves, which inwraps the stem; a sheath.

4. (Arch.) The shaft of a terminus, from which the bust of figure seems to issue or arise.

Vaginal <Xpage=1591>

Vag"i*nal (?) , a. [Cf. F. vaginal .]

1. Of or pertaining to a vagina; resembling a vagina, or sheath; thecal; as, a vaginal synovial membrane; the vaginal process of the temporal bone.

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the vagina of the genital canal; as, the vaginal artery .

Vaginant <Xpage=1591>

Vag"i*nant (?) , a. [Cf. F. vaginant . See Vagina .] Serving to in invest, or sheathe; sheathing.

Vaginant leaf (Bot.) , a leaf investing the stem or branch by its base, which has the form of a tube.

Vaginate, Vaginated <Xpage=1591>

Vag"i*nate (?) , Vag"i*na`ted (?) , a. [See Vagina .] Invested with, or as if with, a sheath; as, a vaginate stem, or one invested by the tubular base of a leaf .

Vaginati <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*na"ti (?) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A tribe of birds comprising the sheathbills.

Vaginervose <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*ner*vose" (?) , a. [L. vagus wandering + E. nervose .] (Bot.) Having the nerves, or veins, placed in apparent disorder.

Vaginicola <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*nic"o*la (?) , n. [NL., from L. vagina sheath + colere to in habit.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of Infusoria which form minute vaselike or tubular cases in which they dwell.

Vaginismus <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*nis"mus (?) , n. [NL.] (Med.) A painful spasmodic contraction of the vagina, often rendering copulation impossible.

Vaginitis <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*ni"tis (?) , n. [NL. See Vagina , and -itis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the vagina, or the genital canal, usually of its mucous living membrane.

Vaginopennous <Xpage=1591>

Vag`i*no*pen"nous (?) , a. [L. vagina a sheath + penna a feather, pl. pennae a wing.] (Zo\'94l.) Having elytra; sheath-winged. [R.]

Vaginula <Xpage=1591>

Va*gin"u*la (?) , n. [L., dim. of vagina sheath.] (Bot.) (a) A little sheath, as that about the base of the pedicel of most mosses. (b) One of the tubular florets in composite flowers.

Henslow.

Vaginule <Xpage=1591>

Vag"i*nule (?) , n. (Bot.) A vaginula.

Vagissate <Xpage=1591>

Vag"is*sate (?) , v. i. [L. vagari to stroll or wander.] To caper or frolic. [Obs.]

Vagous <Xpage=1591>

Va"gous (?) , a. [L. vagus . See Vague .] Wandering; unsettled. [Obs.]

Ayliffe.

Vagrancy <Xpage=1591>

Va"gran*cy (?) , n. The quality or state of being a vagrant; a wandering without a settled home; an unsettled condition; vagabondism.

Threatened away into banishment and vagrancy . Barrow.

Vagrant <Xpage=1591>

Va"grant (?) , a. [Probably fr. OF. waucrant , wacrant , p. p. of waucrer , wacrer , walcrer , to wander (probably of Teutonic origin), but influenced by F. vagant , p. pr. of vaguer to stray, L. vagari . Cf. Vagary .]

1. Moving without certain direction; wandering; erratic; unsettled.

That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took. Prior.

While leading this vagrant and miserable life, Johnson fell in live. Macaulay.

2. Wandering from place to place without any settled habitation; as, a vagrant beggar .

Vagrant <Xpage=1591>

Va"grant , n. One who strolls from place to place; one who has no settled habitation; an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an incorrigible rogue; a vagabond.

Vagrants and outlaws shall offend thy view. Prior.

Vagrantly <Xpage=1591>

Va"grant*ly , adv. In a vagrant manner.

Vagrantness <Xpage=1591>

Va"grant*ness , n. State of being vagrant; vagrancy.

Vague <Xpage=1591>

Vague (?) , a. [ Compar. Vaguer (?) ; superl. Vaguest .] [F. vague , or L. vagus . See Vague , v. i. ]

1. Wandering; vagrant; vagabond. [Archaic] "To set upon the vague villains."

Hayward.

She danced along with vague , regardless eyes. Keats.

2. Unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition .

This faith is neither a mere fantasy of future glory, nor a vague ebullition of feeling. I. Taylor.

The poet turned away, and gave himself up to a sort of vague revery, which he called thought. Hawthorne.

3. Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report .

Some legend strange and value . Longfellow.

Vague year . See Sothiac year , under Sothiac .

Syn. -- Unsettled; indefinite; unfixed; ill-defined; ambiguous; hazy; loose; lax; uncertain.

Vague <Xpage=1591>

Vague , n. [Cf. F. vague .] An indefinite expanse. [R.]

The gray vague of unsympathizing sea. Lowell.

Vague <Xpage=1591>

Vague , v. i. [F. vaguer , L. vagari , fr. vagus roaming.] To wander; to roam; to stray. [Obs.] "[The soul] doth vague and wander."

Holland.

Vague <Xpage=1591>

Vague , n. A wandering; a vagary. [Obs.]

Holinshed.

Vaguely <Xpage=1591>

Vague"ly , adv. In a vague manner.

What he vaguely hinted at, but dared not speak. Hawthorne.

Vagueness <Xpage=1591>

Vague"ness , n. The quality or state of being vague.

Vagus <Xpage=1591>

Va"gus (?) , a. [L., wandering.] (Anat.) Wandering; -- applied especially to the pneumogastric nerve. -- n. The vagus, ore pneumogastric, nerve.

Vail <Xpage=1591>

Vail (?) , n. & v. t. Same as Veil .

Vail <Xpage=1591>

Vail , n. [Aphetic form of avail , n. ]

1. Avails; profit; return; proceeds. [Obs.]

My house is as were the cave where the young outlaw hoards the stolen vails of his occupation. Chapman.

2. An unexpected gain or acquisition; a casual advantage or benefit; a windfall. [Obs.]

3. Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; -- usually in the plural. [Written also vale .]

Dryden.

Vail <Xpage=1591>

Vail , v. t. [Aphetic form of avale . See Avale , Vale .] [Written also vale , and veil .] 1. To let fail; to allow or cause to sink. [Obs.]

Vail your regard Upon a wronged, I would fain have said, a maid! Shak.

2. To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission, or the like.

France must vail her lofty-plumed crest! Shak.

Without vailing his bonnet or testifying any reverence for the alleged sanctity of the relic. Sir. W. Scott.

Vail <Xpage=1591>

Vail (?) , v. i. To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering, or the like. [Written also vale , and veil .] [Obs.]

Thy convenience must vail to thy neighbor's necessity. South.

Vail <Xpage=1591>

Vail , n. Submission; decline; descent. [Obs.]

Vailer <Xpage=1591>

Vail"er (?) , n. One who vails. [Obs.]

Overbury.

Vaimure <Xpage=1591>

Vai"mure (?) , n. An outer, or exterior. wall. See Vauntmure . [Obs.]

Hakluyt.

Vain <Xpage=1591>

Vain (?) , a. [ Compar. Vainer (?) ; superl. Vainest .] [F. vain , L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish , Vanity , Vaunt to boast.]

1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse."

Shak.

Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. xxxix. 6.

Let no man deceive you with vain words. Eph. v. 6.

Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! Shak.

Vain visdom all, and false philosophy. Milton.

2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt .

Bring no more vain oblations. Isa. i. 13.

Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. Dryden.

3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? James ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.).

The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art. Dryden.

4. Showy; ostentatious.

Load some vain church with old theatric state. Pope.

Syn. -- Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.

Vain <Xpage=1591>

Vain , n. Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase in vain .

For vain . See In vain . [Obs.] Shak . -- In vain , to no purpose; without effect; ineffectually. " In vain doth valor bleed." Milton . " In vain they do worship me." Matt. xv. 9 . -- To take the name of God in vain , to use the name of God with levity or profaneness.

Vainglorious <Xpage=1591>

Vain`glo"ri*ous (?) , a. Feeling or indicating vainglory; elated by vanity; boastful. "Arrogant and vainglorious expression." Sir M. Hale . -- Vain`glo"ri*ous*ly , adv. -- Vain`glo"ri*ous*ness , n.

Vainglory <Xpage=1591>

Vain`glo"ry (?) , n. [ Vain + glory .] Excessive vanity excited by one's own performances; empty pride; undue elation of mind; vain show; boastfulness.

He had nothing of vainglory . Bacon.

The man's undone forever; for if Hector break not his neck i' the combat, he'll break't himself in vainglory . Shak.

Vainly <Xpage=1591>

Vain"ly (?) , adv. In a vain manner; in vain.

Vainness <Xpage=1591>

Vain"ness , n. The quality or state of being vain.

Vair <Xpage=1591>

Vair (?) , n. [F. vair , from OF. vair , a., L. varius various, variegated. See Various , and cf. Menivel .] The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of that period in describing the costly dresses of kings, nobles, and prelates. It is represented in heraldry by a series of small shields placed close together, and alternately white and blue.

Fairholt.

No vair or ermine decked his garment. Sir W. Scott.

Counter vair (Her.) , a fur resembling vair, except in the arrangement of the patches or figures.

Vairy <Xpage=1591>

Vair"y (?) , a. [F. vair\'82 . See Vair , n. ] (Her.) Charged with vair; variegated with shield-shaped figures. See Vair .

Vaishnava <Xpage=1591>

Vaish"na*va (v&imac;sh"n&adot;*v&adot;) , n. [Skr. vaish&nsdot;ava .] (Hindoo Myth.) A worshiper of the god Vishnu in any of his incarnations.

Vaishnavism <Xpage=1591>

Vaish"na*vism (?) , n. The worship of Vishnu.

Vaisya <Xpage=1591>

Vais"ya (?) , n. [Skr. vai&cced;ya .] The third of the four great original castes among the Hindoos, now either extinct or partially represented by the mercantile class of Banyas. See the Note under Caste , 1.

Vaivode <Xpage=1591>

Vai"vode (?) , n. [Cf. F. vayvode . See Waywode .] See Waywode .

Vakeel <Xpage=1591>

Va*keel" (?) , n. [Ar. wak\'c6l .] A native attorney or agent; also, an ambassador. [India]

Valance <Xpage=1591>

Val"ance (?) , n. [Perhaps fr. OF. avalant descending, hanging down, p. pr. of avaler to go down, let down, descent (cf. Avalanche ); but probably from the town of Valence in France.]

1. Hanging drapery for a bed, couch, window, or the like, especially that which hangs around a bedstead, from the bed to the floor. [Written also valence .]

Valance of Venice gold in needlework. Shak.

2. The drooping edging of the lid of a trunk. which covers the joint when the lid is closed.

Valance <Xpage=1591>

Val"ance , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Valanced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Valancing (?) .] To furnish with a valance; to decorate with hangings or drapery.

His old fringed chair valanced around with party-colored worsted bobs. Sterne.

Vale <Xpage=1591>

Vale (?) , n. [OE. val , F. val , L. vallis ; perhaps akin to Gr. <?/ low ground, marsh meadow. Cf. Avalanche , Vail to lower, Valley .] A tract of low ground, or of land between hills; a valley. " Make me a cottage in the vale ."

Tennyson.

Beyond this vale of tears there is a life above. Montgomery.

In those fair vales , by nature formed to please. Harte.

&hand; Vale is more commonly used in poetry, and valley in prose and common discourse.

Syn. -- Valley; dingle; dell; dale.

Vale <Xpage=1591>

Vale , n. See 2d Vail , 3.

Valediction <Xpage=1591>

Val`e*dic"tion (?) , n. [L., valedicere , valedictum , to say farewell; vale farewell (imperative of valere to be strong or well) + dicere to say. See Valiant , Diction .] A farewell; a bidding farewell.

Donne.

<page="1592"> Page 1592

Valedictorian <Xpage=1592>

Val`e*dic*to"ri*an (?) , n. One who pronounces a valedictory address; especially, in American colleges, the student who pronounces the valedictory of the graduating class at the annual commencement, usually the student who ranks first in scholarship.

Valedictory <Xpage=1592>

Val`e*dic"to*ry (?) , a. Bidding farewell; suitable or designed for an occasion of leave-taking; as, a valedictory oration .

Valedictory <Xpage=1592>

Val`e*dic"to*ry , n. ; pl. Valedictories (<?/) . A valedictory oration or address spoken at commencement in American colleges or seminaries by one of the graduating class, usually by the leading scholar.

Valence <Xpage=1592>

Va"lence (?) , n. [From L. valens , -entis , p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See Valiant .] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have a valence respectively of two, three, and four.

&hand; The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds. Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of compounds.

Valencia <Xpage=1592>

Va*len"ci*a (?) , n. [Perhaps fr. Valence in France.] A kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton. [Written also valentia .]

Valenciennes lace <Xpage=1592>

Va*len`ci*ennes" lace" (?) . [F.; -- so called after the town of Valenciennes .] A rich kind of lace made at Valenciennes, in France. Each piece is made throughout, ground and pattern, by the same person and with the same thread, the pattern being worked in the net.

Valency <Xpage=1592>

Val"en*cy (?) , n. ; pl. Valencies (<?/) . (Chem.) (a) See Valence . (b) A unit of combining power; a so-called bond of affinity.

Valentia <Xpage=1592>

Va*len"ti*a (?) , n. See Valencia .

Valentine <Xpage=1592>