vestal virgin

or Vestal Virgin

n. Roman Mythology

One of the priestesses who tended the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta in ancient Rome and remained celibate during their servitude.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

vestal virgin

(Historical Terms) (in ancient Rome) one of the four, later six, virgin priestesses whose lives were dedicated to Vesta and to maintaining the sacred fire in her temple

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ves′tal vir′gin

(in ancient Rome) any of the women, pledged to remain virgins, who tended the sacred fire in Vesta's sanctuary.

[1400–50]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

vestal virgin - (Roman mythology) one of the virgin priestesses consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to maintaining the sacred fire in her temple

Roman mythology - the mythology of the ancient Romans

Rea Silvia, Rhea Silvia - (Roman mythology) a vestal virgin who became the mother by Mars of the twins Romulus and Remus

votary - a priest or priestess (or consecrated worshipper) in a non-Christian religion or cult; "a votary of Aphrodite"

Translations

Vestalin

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Franz had remained for nearly a quarter of an hour perfectly hidden by the shadow of the vast column at whose base he had found a resting-place, and from whence his eyes followed the motions of Albert and his guides, who, holding torches in their hands, had emerged from a vomitarium at the opposite extremity of the Colosseum, and then again disappeared down the steps conducting to the seats reserved for the Vestal virgins, resembling, as they glided along, some restless shades following the flickering glare of so many ignes-fatui.

View in context

The Vestal Virgin has taken the vow of chastity in order to devote herself to study and correct observance of state rituals.

Where divinity descends for humanity to ascend

The comedy was penned by Carry On film writer Talbot Rothwell and the storylines included the Miss Vestal Virgin of BC72 contest, Spartacus threatening an uprising among the slaves and Lurcio charged with educating Nausius about the facts of life.

Titter ye not, missus! We look at how Frankie Howerd took double entendres to a new level for BBC comedy Up Pompeii!

(30) By this same kind of help the chastity of the Vestal Virgin Tuccia, which was darkened by an infamous cloud, was exonerated from the crime of impurity.

Constructing a New Woman for the Body Politic: The Creation of Claudia Quinta

These days, however, SN would prefer that fans regard her as some sort of a vestal virgin.

Scandalous nymphet turns back on lurid past

And, tomorrow, she'll be seen in her first comedy turn in Plebs, as a vestal virgin who is frustrated she's never leftRome, or eaten a kebab, and after outraging the whole city, has to be smuggled out of town in a truck, hidden under a stack of large truckles of mouldy cheese.

'Fame hasn't I'm no diva ' changed me -; Michelle Keegan, 28, talks about on-screen sexy-time, being away from her hubby, and why she's still the same down-to-earth (hot) girl she always was

And, tomorrow, audiences will get to see her first comedy turn in Plebs, as a vestal virgin who is frustrated she has never left Rome - or eaten a kebab.

Corrie had tears. But it set me up well for comedy; Michelle Keegan on playing it for laughs in her new TV role, being away from her husband and why she's still the same down-to-earth girl she always was

This month, Michelle joins the Plebs cast, as Vestal Virgin Ursula, and she couldn't be more excited.

I've got a lot to prove, but I'm enjoying it... Tabloid favourite Michelle Keegan shot to fame as Tina in Coronation Street, but the former soap star says she's keen to move on and mix things up. She tells GEMMA DUNN of her joy at working on comedy Plebs and shaking off the 'sexiest female' tag

This month Michelle joins the Plebs cast, as Vestal Virgin Ursula, and she couldn't be more excited.

This month she joins the Plebs cast, as Vestal Virgin Ursula, and Keegan couldn't be more excited.

I've got a lot to prove, but I am enjoying it; small screen

This month, she joins the Plebs cast as vestal virgin Ursula - and Michelle couldn't be more excited about it.

Michelle is virgin on the hilarious; Former Corrie star tries her hand at comedy after string of serious roles since her exit from Weatherfield

In ancient Egypt, an inebriated charioteer is apprehended after running down a vestal virgin of the goddess Hathor.

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