Ves"tal (?), a. [L. Vestalis belonging
to Vesta, vestal. See Vesta.] Of or pertaining to Vesta, the
virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.
Ves"tal, n. [L. Vestalis (sc.
virgo): cf. F. vestale. See Vestal,
a.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A virgin
consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which
was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
&fist; The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in
number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the period of admission
being from the sixth to the tenth year of the candidate's age.
2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a
nun.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
Pope.
Ves"tal (?), a. [L. Vestalis belonging
to Vesta, vestal. See Vesta.] Of or pertaining to Vesta, the
virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.
Ves"tal, n. [L. Vestalis (sc.
virgo): cf. F. vestale. See Vestal,
a.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A virgin
consecrated to Vesta, and to the service of watching the sacred fire, which
was to be perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
&fist; The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in
number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the period of admission
being from the sixth to the tenth year of the candidate's age.
2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a
nun.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
Pope.