/ · 1894 Brewer’s · V · Vestal Virgin
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A nun, a religieuse, properly a maiden dedicated to the service of the goddess Vesta. The duty of these virgins was to keep the fire of the temple always burning, both day and night. Thèy were required to be of spotless chastity. (See Immuring.)
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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.
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