VIRGINALLING

VIRGINAL

Vir"gin*al, a. Etym: [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.]

Definition: Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly. "Chastity and honor virginal." Spenser. Virginal generation (Biol.), parthenogenesis.

– Virginal membrane (Anat.), the hymen.

Vir"gin*al, n. Etym: [Cf. F. virginale; -- probably so called from being used by young girls, or virgins.] (Mus.)

Definition: An instrument somewhat resembling the spinet, but having a rectangular form, like the small piano. It had strings and keys, but only one wire to a note. The instrument was used in the sixteenth century, but is now wholly obsolete. It was sometimes called a pair of virginals.

Vir"gin*al, v. i.

Definition: To play with the fingers, as if on a virginal; to tap or pat. [Obs.] "Still virginaling upon his palm!" Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 November 2024

HISTOLOGICALLY

(adverb) involving the use of histology or histological techniques; “histologically identifiable structures”


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Coffee Trivia

Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.

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