The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1840
2. A noxious or mischievous animal; especially, noxious little animals or insects, collectively, as squirrels, rats, mice, flies, lice, bugs, etc. "Cruel hounds or some foul vermin ."
Chaucer.
Great injuries these vermin , mice and rats, do in the field. Mortimer.
They disdain such vermin when the mighty boar of the forest . . . is before them. Burke.
3. Hence, in contempt, noxious human beings.
You are my prisoners, base vermin . Hudibras.
Verminate <Xpage=1603>
Ver"mi*nate (?) , v. i. [L. verminare to have worms, fr. vermis a worm.] To breed vermin.
Vermination <Xpage=1603>
Ver`mi*na"tion (?) , n. [L. verminatio the worms, a disease of animals, a crawling, itching pain.] 1. The generation or breeding of vermin.
Derham.
2. A griping of the bowels.
Verminly <Xpage=1603>
Ver"min*ly (?) , a. & adv. Resembling vermin; in the manner of vermin. [Obs.]
Gauden.
Verminous <Xpage=1603>
Ver"min*ous (?) , a. [L. verminosus , fr. vermis a worm: cf. F. vermineux .] 1. Tending to breed vermin; infested by vermin.
Some . . . verminous disposition of the body. Harvey.
2. Caused by, or arising from the presence of, vermin; as, verminous disease .
Verminously <Xpage=1603>
Ver"min*ous*ly , adv. In a verminous manner.
Vermiparous <Xpage=1603>
Ver*mip"a*rous (?) , a. [L. vermis a worm + parere to bring forth.] Producing or breeding worms. " Vermiparous animals."
Sir T. Browne.
Vermivorous <Xpage=1603>
Ver*miv"o*rous (?) , a. [L. vermis a worm + vorare to devour: cf. F. vermivore .] (Zo\'94l.) Devouring worms; feeding on worms; as, vermivorous birds .
Vermuth <Xpage=1603>
Ver"muth (?) , n. [F. vermout .] A liqueur made of white wine, absinthe, and various aromatic drugs, used to excite the appetite. [Written also vermouth .]
Vernacle <Xpage=1603>
Ver"na*cle (?) , n. See Veronica , 1 . [Obs.]
Vernacular <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lar (?) , a. [L. vernaculus born in one's house, native, fr. verna a slave born in his master's house, a native, probably akin to Skr. vas to dwell, E. was .] Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature; native; indigenous; -- now used chiefly of language; as, English is our vernacular language . "A vernacular disease."
Harvey.
His skill the vernacular dialect of the Celtic tongue. Fuller.
Which in our vernacular idiom may be thus interpreted. Pope.
Vernacular <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lar , n. The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the common forms of expression in a particular locality.
Vernacularism <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lar*ism (?) , n. A vernacular idiom.
Vernacularization <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lar*i*za"tion (?) , n. The act or process of making vernacular, or the state of being made vernacular.
Fitzed. Hall.
Vernacularly <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lar*ly (?) , adv. In a vernacular manner; in the vernacular.
Earle.
Vernaculous <Xpage=1603>
Ver*nac"u*lous (?) , a. [L. vernaculus . See Vernacular .] 1. Vernacular. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
2. [L. vernaculi , pl., buffoons, jesters.] Scoffing; scurrilous. [A Latinism. Obs.] "Subject to the petulancy of every vernaculous orator."
B. Jonson.
Vernage <Xpage=1603>
Ver"nage (?) , n. [It. vernaccia .] A kind of sweet wine from Italy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Vernal <Xpage=1603>
Ver"nal (?) , a. [L. vernalis , fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. <?/, Skr. vasanta , Icel. v\'ber , and E. Easter , east .] 1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom .
2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life.
When after the long vernal day of life. Thomson.
And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show? Keble.
<page="1604"> Page 1604
Vernal equinox (Astron.) , the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward. -- Vernal grass (Bot.) , a low, soft grass ( Anthoxanthum odoratum ), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; -- also called sweet vernal grass . See Illust . in Appendix. -- Vernal signs (Astron.) , the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.
Vernant <Xpage=1604>
Ver"nant (?) , a. [L. vernans , p. pr. vernare to flourish, from ver spring.] Flourishing, as in spring; vernal. [Obs.] " Vernant flowers."
Milton.
Vernate <Xpage=1604>
Ver"nate (?) , v. i. [See Vernant .] To become young again. [Obs.]
Vernation <Xpage=1604>
Ver*na"tion (?) , n. [F. vernation : cf. L. vernatio the sloughing of the skin of snakes.] (Bot.) The arrangement of the leaves within the leaf bud, as regards their folding, coiling, rolling, etc.; prefoliation.
Vernicle <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ni*cle (?) , n. A Veronica. See Veronica , 1. [Obs.]
Piers Plowman.
A vernicle had he sowed upon his cap. Chaucer.
Vernicose <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ni*cose` (?) , a. [See Varnish .] (Bot.) Having a brilliantly polished surface, as some leaves.
Vernier <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ni*er (?) , n. [So named after the inventor, Pierre Vernier .] A short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument, as the limb of a sextant, or the scale of a barometer, for indicating parts of divisions. It is so graduated that a certain convenient number of its divisions are just equal to a certain number, either one less or one more, of the divisions of the instrument, so that parts of a division are determined by observing what line on the vernier coincides with a line on the instrument.
Vernier calipers , Vernier gauge , a gauge with a graduated bar and a sliding jaw bearing a vernier, used for accurate measurements. -- Vernier compass , a surveyor's compass with a vernier for the accurate adjustment of the zero point in accordance with magnetic variation. -- Vernier transit , a surveyor's transit instrument with a vernier compass.
Vernile <Xpage=1604>
Ver"nile (?) , a. [L. vernilis servile. See Vernacular .] Suiting a salve; servile; obsequious. [R.]
The example . . . of vernile scurrility. De Quincey.
Vernility <Xpage=1604>
Ver*nil"i*ty (?) , n. [L. vernilitas .] Fawning or obsequious behavior; servility. [R.]
Bailey.
Vernine <Xpage=1604>
Ver"nine (?) , n. [ Vern al + -ine .] (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from the shoots of the vetch, red clover, etc., as a white crystalline substance.
Vernish <Xpage=1604>
Ver"nish (?) , n. & v. Varnish. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Vernonin <Xpage=1604>
Ver"no*nin (?) , n. (Chem.) A glucoside extracted from the root of a South African plant of the genus Vernonia , as a deliquescent powder, and used as a mild heart tonic.
Veronese <Xpage=1604>
Ver`o*nese" (?) , a. [It. Veronese .] Of or pertaining to Verona, in Italy. -- n. sing. & pl. A native of Verona; collectively, the people of Verona.
Veronica <Xpage=1604>
Ve*ron"i*ca (?) , n. [LL.; -- so called from Veronica , a woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr. <?/, fr. Macedonian <?/, for Gr. <?/, literally, carrying off victory, victorious.] 1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly called also Vernacle , and Vernicle .
2. (Bot.) A genus scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell. See Speedwell .
&hand; Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes found in cultivation.
Verray <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ray (?) , a. Very; true. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Verrayment <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ray*ment (?) , adv. [OF. veraiement . See Very .] Verily; truly. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Verrel <Xpage=1604>
Ver"rel (?) , n. See Ferrule . [Obs.]
Verriulate <Xpage=1604>
Ver*ri"u*late (?) , a. [L. verriculum a net, seine.] (Zo\'94l.) Having thickset tufts of parallel hairs, bristles, or branches.
Verruciform <Xpage=1604>
Ver*ru"ci*form (?) , a. [L. verruca wart + -form .] Shaped like a wart or warts.
Verrucose <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ru*cose` (?) , a. [L. verrucosus , fr. verruca a wart.] Covered with wartlike elevations; tuberculate; warty; verrucous; as, a verrucose capsule .
Verrucous <Xpage=1604>
Ver"ru*cous (?) , a. Verrucose.
Verruculose <Xpage=1604>
Ver*ru"cu*lose` (?) , a. [L. verrucula , dim. of verruca a wart.] Minutely verrucose; as, a verruculose leaf or stalk .
Vers <Xpage=1604>
Vers (?) , n. sing. & pl. A verse or verses. See Verse . [Obs.] "Ten vers or twelve."
Chaucer.
Versability <Xpage=1604>
Ver`sa*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being versable. [R.]
Sterne
Versable <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sa*ble (?) , a. [L. versabilis : cf. F. versable . See Versatile .] Capable of being turned. [R.]
Versableness <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sa*ble*ness , n. Versability. [R.]
Versal <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sal (?) , a. Universal. [Obs. or Colloq.]
Shak.
Versant <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sant (?) , a. [L. versans , p. pr. versare to turn abound frequently, to turn over in the mind, to meditate. See Versatile .] Familiar; conversant. [R.]
Men not versant with courts of justice. Sydney Smith.
Versant <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sant , n. [F.] The slope of a side of a mountain chain; hence, the general slope of a country; aspect.
Versatile <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sa*tile (?) , a. [L. versatilis , fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere : cf. F. versatile . See Verse .] 1. Capable of being turned round.
Harte.
2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition.
3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician .
Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. Macaulay.
4. (Nat. Hist.) Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird.
-- Ver"sa*tile*ly , adv. -- -- Ver"sa*tile*ness , n.
Versatility <Xpage=1604>
Ver`sa*til"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. versatilit\'82 .] The quality or state of being versatile; versatileness.
Vers de soci\'82t\'82 <Xpage=1604>
Vers` de so`ci\'82`t\'82" (?) . [F.] See Society verses , under Society .
Verse <Xpage=1604>
Verse (?) , n. [OE. vers , AS. fers , L. versus a line in writing, and, in poetry, a verse, from vertere , versum , to turn, to turn round; akin to E. worth to become: cf. F. vers . See Worth to become, and cf. Advertise , Averse , Controversy , Convert , Divers , Invert , Obverse , Prose , Suzerain , Vortex .] 1. A line consisting of a certain number of metrical feet (see Foot , n. , 9) disposed according to metrical rules.
&hand; Verses are of various kinds, as hexameter , pentameter , tetrameter , etc., according to the number of feet in each. A verse of twelve syllables is called an Alexandrine . Two or more verses form a stanza or strophe .
2. Metrical arrangement and language; that which is composed in metrical form; versification; poetry.
Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse . Milton.
Virtue was taught in verse . Prior.
Verse embalms virtue. Donne.
3. A short division of any composition. Specifically: --
(a) A stanza; a stave; as, a hymn of four verses .
&hand; Although this use of verse is common, it is objectionable, because not always distinguishable from the stricter use in the sense of a line.
(b) (Script.) One of the short divisions of the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.
&hand; The author of the division of the Old Testament into verses is not ascertained. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephens [or Estienne ], a French printer. This arrangement appeared for the first time in an edition printed at Geneva, in 1551.
(c) (Mus.) A portion of an anthem to be performed by a single voice to each part.
4. A piece of poetry. "This verse be thine."
Pope.
Blank verse , poetry in which the lines do not end in rhymes. -- Heroic verse . See under Heroic .
Verse <Xpage=1604>
Verse , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Versed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Versing .] To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.]
Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. Shak.
Verse <Xpage=1604>
Verse , v. i. To make verses; to versify. [Obs.]
It is not rhyming and versing that maketh a poet. Sir P. Sidney.
Versed <Xpage=1604>
Versed (?) , a. [Cf. F. vers\'82 , L. versatus , p. p. of versari to turn about frequently, to turn over, to be engaged in a thing, passive of versare . See Versant , a. ] Acquainted or familiar, as the result of experience, study, practice, etc.; skilled; practiced.
Deep versed in books and shallow in himself. Milton.
Opinions . . . derived from studying the Scriptures, wherein he was versed beyond any person of his age. Southey.
These men were versed in the details of business. Macaulay.
Versed <Xpage=1604>
Versed , a. [L. versus turned, p. p. vertere . See 1st Versed .] (Math.) Turned.
Versed sine . See under Sine , and Illust . of Functions .
Verseman <Xpage=1604>
Verse"man (?) , n. Same as Versemonger .
Prior.
Versemonger <Xpage=1604>
Verse"mon`ger (?) , n. A writer of verses; especially, a writer of commonplace poetry; a poetaster; a rhymer; -- used humorously or in contempt.
Verser <Xpage=1604>
Vers"er (?) , n. A versifier.
B. Jonson.
Verset <Xpage=1604>
Vers"et (?) , n. [F.] A verse. [Obs.]
Milton.
Versicle <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*cle (?) , n. [L. versiculus , dim. of versus . See Verse .] A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people.
The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles . Strype.
Versicolor, Versicolored <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*col`or (?) , Ver"si*col`ored (?) , a. [L. versicolor ; versare to change + color color.] Having various colors; changeable in color. " Versicolor , sweet-smelling flowers."
Burton.
Versicular <Xpage=1604>
Ver*sic"u*lar (?) , a. [See Versicle .] Of or pertaining to verses; designating distinct divisions of a writing.
Versification <Xpage=1604>
Ver`si*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. versificatio : cf. F. versification .] The act, art, or practice, of versifying, or making verses; the construction of poetry; metrical composition.
Versificator <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*fi*ca`tor (?) , n. [L.] A versifier. [R.] "The best versificator next Virgil."
Dryden.
Versifier <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*fi`er (?) , n. 1. One who versifies, or makes verses; as, not every versifier is a poet .
Dryden.
2. One who converts into verse; one who expresses in verse the ideas of another written in prose; as, Dr . Watts was a versifier of the Psalms.
Versify <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*fy (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Versified (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Versifying (?) .] [OE. versifien , F. versifier , L. versificare ; versus a verse + -ficare to make. See Verse , and -fy .] To make verses.
I'll versify in spite, and do my best. Dryden.
Versify <Xpage=1604>
Ver"si*fy , v. t. 1. To relate or describe in verse; to compose in verse.
I'll versify the truth, not poetize. Daniel.
2. To turn into verse; to render into metrical form; as, to versify the Psalms .
Chaucer.
Version <Xpage=1604>
Ver"sion (?) , n. [F., from L. vertere , versum , to turn, to change, to translate. See Verse .] 1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation; conversion; turning.
The version of air into water. Bacon.
2. (Med.) A condition of the uterus in which its axis is deflected from its normal position without being bent upon itself. See Anteversion , and Retroversion .
3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language into another language.
4. A translation; that which is rendered from another language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the Scriptures (see under Authorized ); the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament .