vestal, vestall

& s. (Lat. Vestal is, from Vesta (q. v.).] A. As adjective : I. Lit .: Pertaining or relating to the godde Vesta; sacred to Vesta. "Those institutions which.. have still kept the light burning like the vestal fire."- Knox : E ays , No. 112. II. Figuratively : 1. Pure, innocent, chaste; such as would become a Vestal Virgin. "In pure and vestal modesty." Shakesp.: Romeo and Juliet , iii. 3. 2. Pertaining to or characteristic of a nun. "My vestal habit me contenting more, Than all the robes adorning me before." B. As substantive : Drayton: Matilda to King John. I. Ordinary Language : 1. Lit .: One of the Vestal Virgins (q. v.). 2. Fig .: A virgin; a woman of spotle chastity; a chaste woman in general. Sometimes applied to a woman who devotes herself to religion; a relig. ieuse, a nun. "How happy is the blamele vestal's lot, The world forgetting, by the world forgot." Pope : Eloisa to Abelard , 207. 11. Entomology : Sterrha sacraria; a European Geometer Moth, having the fore wings pale yellow with a pink stripe. The caterpillar feeds on various species of Rumex, on the camomile, . Vestal Virgins, s. pl. Roman Mythol.: The name given to the virgin prieste es who had charge of the temple of the godde Vesta, at Rome, and the superintendence of the sacred fire which blazed perpetually on her altar. Their number was originally four, but was afterward increased to six; and the period of their service extended to thirty years. The first ten years were spent in acquiring a knowledge of their duties, the second in discharging them, and the third in instructing the novices. During the whole of this time they were bound to continue in a state of maidenhood; but, at the expiration of the period, they were free to return to the world, and even to marry if they thought fit. When a vacancy occurred in their number, it was filled by the Pontifex Maximus, to whose control they were subject. If, however, through carele ne , they allowed the sacred fire to be extinguished, they were chastised with rods by the Pontifex Maximus, and, if any of them violated their vows of chastity, they were *věs-ti-gāte, v . t . [Latin vestigatus , pa. par. of vestigo to search out.] To investigate.