English Dictionary: (versandte) | by the DICT Development Group |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Vargueno \Var*gue"no\ (v[aum]r*g[amac]"n[omac]), n. [Said to be fr. Vargas, name of a village in Spain.] (Art) A decorative cabinet, of a form originating in Spain, the body being rectangular and supported on legs or an ornamental framework and the front opening downwards on hinges to serve as a writing desk. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verecund \Ver"e*cund\, a. [L. verecundus, fr. vereri to feel awe.] Rashful; modest. [Obs.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verecundious \Ver`e*cun"di*ous\, a. Verecund. [Obs.] [bd]Verecundious generosity.[b8] --Sir H. Wotton. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verecundity \Ver`e*cun"di*ty\, n. The quality or state of being verecund; modesty. [Obs.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Vergency \Ver"gen*cy\, n. 1. The act of verging or approaching; tendency; approach. [R.] 2. (Opt.) The reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens, used as measure of the divergence or convergence of a pencil of rays. [R.] --Humphrey Lloyd. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verge \Verge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Verged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Verging}.] [L. vergere to bend, turn, incline; cf. Skr. v[?]j to turn.] 1. To border upon; to tend; to incline; to come near; to approach. 2. To tend downward; to bend; to slope; as, a hill verges to the north. Our soul, from original instinct, vergeth towards him as its center. --Barrow. I find myself verging to that period of life which is to be labor and sorrow. --Swift. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verisimilar \Ver`i*sim"i*lar\, a. [L. verisimilis; verus true + similis like, similar. See {Very}, and {Similar}.] Having the appearance of truth; probable; likely. [bd]How verisimilar it looks.[b8] --Carlyle. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verisimilitude \Ver`i*si*mil"i*tude\, n. [L. verisimilitudo: cf. OF. verisimilitude. See {Verisimilar}.] The quality or state of being verisimilar; the appearance of truth; probability; likelihood. Verisimilitude and opinion are an easy purchase; but true knowledge is dear and difficult. --Glanvill. All that gives verisimilitude to a narrative. --Sir. W. Scott. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verisimility \Ver`i*si*mil"i*ty\, n. Verisimilitude. [Obs.] The verisimility or probable truth. --Sir T. Browne. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Versant \Ver"sant\, a. [L. versans, p. pr. versare to turn abound frequently, to turn over in the mind, to meditate. See {Versatile}.] Familiar; conversant. [R.] Men not versant with courts of justice. --Sydney Smith. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Versant \Ver"sant\, n. [F.] The slope of a side of a mountain chain; hence, the general slope of a country; aspect. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verseman \Verse"man\, n. Same as {Versemonger}. --Prior. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Versemonger \Verse"mon`ger\, n. A writer of verses; especially, a writer of commonplace poetry; a poetaster; a rhymer; -- used humorously or in contempt. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Versimilous \Ver`*sim"i*lous\, a. Verisimilar. [Obs.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Verse \Verse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Versed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Versing}.] To tell in verse, or poetry. [Obs.] Playing on pipes of corn and versing love. --Shak. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Version \Ver"sion\, n. [F., from L. vertere, versum, to turn, to change, to translate. See {Verse}.] 1. A change of form, direction, or the like; transformation; conversion; turning. The version of air into water. --Bacon. 2. (Med.) A condition of the uterus in which its axis is deflected from its normal position without being bent upon itself. See {Anteversion}, and {Retroversion}. 3. The act of translating, or rendering, from one language into another language. 4. A translation; that which is rendered from another language; as, the Common, or Authorized, Version of the Scriptures (see under {Authorized}); the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament. 5. An account or description from a particular point of view, especially as contrasted with another account; as, he gave another version of the affair. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Versionist \Ver"sion*ist\, n. One who makes or favors a version; a translator. [R.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Viraginian \Vi`ra*gin"i*an\, a. Of or pertaining to a virago; having the qualities of a virago. --Milton. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Viraginity \Vi`ra*gin"i*ty\, n. The qualities or characteristics of a virago. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virescence \Vi*res"cence\, (Bot.) The act or state of becoming green through the formation of chlorophyll. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virescent \Vi*res"cent\, a. [L. virescens, p. pr. of virescere to grow green, verb incho. fr. virere to be green.] Beginning to be green; slightly green; greenish. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virgin \Vir"gin\, a. 1. Being a virgin; chaste; of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly; modest; indicating modesty; as, a virgin blush. [bd]Virgin shame.[b8] --Cowley. Innocence and virgin modesty . . . That would be wooed, and unsought be won. --Milton. 2. Pure; undefiled; unmixed; fresh; new; as, virgin soil; virgin gold. [bd]Virgin Dutch.[b8] --G. W. Cable. The white cold virgin snow upon my heart. --Shak. A few ounces of mutton, with a little virgin oil. --Landor. 3. Not yet pregnant; impregnant. --Milton. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virgin \Vir"gin\, n. [L. virgo, -inis: cf. OF. virgine, virgene, virge, vierge, F. vierge.] 1. A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man; a maid. 2. A person of the male sex who has not known sexual indulgence. [Archaic] --Wyclif. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. --Rev. xiv. 4. He his flesh hath overcome; He was a virgin, as he said. --Gower. 3. (Astron.) See {Virgo}. 4. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of several species of gossamer-winged butterflies of the family {Lyc[91]nid[91]}. 5. (Zo[94]l.) A female insect producing eggs from which young are hatched, though there has been no fecundation by a male; a parthenogenetic insect. {The Virgin}, [or] {The Blessed Virgin}, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord. {Virgin's bower} (Bot.), a name given to several climbing plants of the genus {Clematis}, as {C. Vitalba} of Europe, and {C. Virginiana} of North America. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virgin \Vir"gin\, v. i. To act the virgin; to be or keep chaste; -- followed by it. See {It}, 5. [Obs.] [bd]My true lip hath virgined it e'er since [that kiss].[b8] --Shak. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
{White elm} (Bot.), a majestic tree of North America ({Ulmus Americana}), the timber of which is much used for hubs of wheels, and for other purposes. {White ensign}. See {Saint George's ensign}, under {Saint}. {White feather}, a mark or symbol of cowardice. See {To show the white feather}, under {Feather}, n. {White fir} (Bot.), a name given to several coniferous trees of the Pacific States, as {Abies grandis}, and {A. concolor}. {White flesher} (Zo[94]l.), the ruffed grouse. See under {Ruffed}. [Canada] {White frost}. See {Hoarfrost}. {White game} (Zo[94]l.), the white ptarmigan. {White garnet} (Min.), leucite. {White grass} (Bot.), an American grass ({Leersia Virginica}) with greenish-white pale[91]. {White grouse}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The white ptarmigan. (b) The prairie chicken. [Local, U. S.] {White grub} (Zo[94]l.), the larva of the June bug and other allied species. These grubs eat the roots of grasses and other plants, and often do much damage. {White hake} (Zo[94]l.), the squirrel hake. See under {Squirrel}. {White hawk}, [or] {kite} (Zo[94]l.), the hen harrier. {White heat}, the temperature at which bodies become incandescent, and appear white from the bright light which they emit. {White hellebore} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Veratrum} ({V. album}) See {Hellebore}, 2. {White herring}, a fresh, or unsmoked, herring, as distinguished from a red, or cured, herring. [R.] --Shak. {White hoolet} (Zo[94]l.), the barn owl. [Prov. Eng.] {White horses} (Naut.), white-topped waves; whitecaps. {The White House}. See under {House}. {White ibis} (Zo[94]l.), an American ibis ({Guara alba}) having the plumage pure white, except the tips of the wings, which are black. It inhabits tropical America and the Southern United States. Called also {Spanish curlew}. {White iron}. (a) Thin sheets of iron coated with tin; tinned iron. (b) A hard, silvery-white cast iron containing a large proportion of combined carbon. {White iron pyrites} (Min.), marcasite. {White land}, a tough clayey soil, of a whitish hue when dry, but blackish after rain. [Eng.] {White lark} (Zo[94]l.), the snow bunting. {White lead}. (a) A carbonate of lead much used in painting, and for other purposes; ceruse. (b) (Min.) Native lead carbonate; cerusite. {White leather}, buff leather; leather tanned with alum and salt. {White leg} (Med.), milk leg. See under {Milk}. {White lettuce} (Bot.), rattlesnake root. See under {Rattlesnake}. {White lie}. See under {Lie}. {White light}. (a) (Physics) Light having the different colors in the same proportion as in the light coming directly from the sun, without having been decomposed, as by passing through a prism. See the Note under {Color}, n., 1. (b) A kind of firework which gives a brilliant white illumination for signals, etc. {White lime}, a solution or preparation of lime for whitewashing; whitewash. {White line} (Print.), a void space of the breadth of a line, on a printed page; a blank line. {White meat}. (a) Any light-colored flesh, especially of poultry. (b) Food made from milk or eggs, as butter, cheese, etc. Driving their cattle continually with them, and feeding only upon their milk and white meats. --Spenser. {White merganser} (Zo[94]l.), the smew. {White metal}. (a) Any one of several white alloys, as pewter, britannia, etc. (b) (Metal.) A fine grade of copper sulphide obtained at a certain stage in copper smelting. {White miller}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The common clothes moth. (b) A common American bombycid moth ({Spilosoma Virginica}) which is pure white with a few small black spots; -- called also {ermine moth}, and {virgin moth}. See {Woolly bear}, under {Woolly}. {White money}, silver money. {White mouse} (Zo[94]l.), the albino variety of the common mouse. {White mullet} (Zo[94]l.), a silvery mullet ({Mugil curema}) ranging from the coast of the United States to Brazil; -- called also {blue-back mullet}, and {liza}. {White nun} (Zo[94]l.), the smew; -- so called from the white crest and the band of black feathers on the back of its head, which give the appearance of a hood. {White oak}. (Bot.) See under {Oak}. {White owl}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The snowy owl. (b) The barn owl. {White partridge} (Zo[94]l.), the white ptarmigan. {White perch}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) A North American fresh-water bass ({Morone Americana}) valued as a food fish. (b) The croaker, or fresh-water drum. (c) Any California surf fish. {White pine}. (Bot.) See the Note under {Pine}. {White poplar} (Bot.), a European tree ({Populus alba}) often cultivated as a shade tree in America; abele. {White poppy} (Bot.), the opium-yielding poppy. See {Poppy}. {White powder}, a kind of gunpowder formerly believed to exist, and to have the power of exploding without noise. [Obs.] A pistol charged with white powder. --Beau. & Fl. {White precipitate}. (Old Chem.) See under {Precipitate}. {White rabbit}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The American northern hare in its winter pelage. (b) An albino rabbit. {White rent}, (a) (Eng. Law) Formerly, rent payable in silver; -- opposed to black rent. See {Blackmail}, n., 3. (b) A rent, or duty, of eight pence, payable yearly by every tinner in Devon and Cornwall to the Duke of Cornwall, as lord of the soil. [Prov. Eng.] {White rhinoceros}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The one-horned, or Indian, rhinoceros ({Rhinoceros Indicus}). See {Rhinoceros}. (b) The umhofo. {White ribbon}, the distinctive badge of certain organizations for the promotion of temperance or of moral purity; as, the White-ribbon Army. {White rope} (Naut.), untarred hemp rope. {White rot}. (Bot.) (a) Either of several plants, as marsh pennywort and butterwort, which were thought to produce the disease called rot in sheep. (b) A disease of grapes. See {White rot}, under {Rot}. {White sage} (Bot.), a white, woolly undershrub ({Eurotia lanata}) of Western North America; -- called also {winter fat}. {White salmon} (Zo[94]l.), the silver salmon. {White salt}, salt dried and calcined; decrepitated salt. {White scale} (Zo[94]l.), a scale insect ({Aspidiotus Nerii}) injurious to the orange tree. See {Orange scale}, under {Orange}. {White shark} (Zo[94]l.), a species of man-eating shark. See under {Shark}. {White softening}. (Med.) See {Softening of the brain}, under {Softening}. {White spruce}. (Bot.) See {Spruce}, n., 1. {White squall} (Naut.), a sudden gust of wind, or furious blow, which comes up without being marked in its approach otherwise than by whitecaps, or white, broken water, on the surface of the sea. {White staff}, the badge of the lord high treasurer of England. --Macaulay. {White stork} (Zo[94]l.), the common European stork. {White sturgeon}. (Zo[94]l.) See {Shovelnose} (d) . {White sucker}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) The common sucker. (b) The common red horse ({Moxostoma macrolepidotum}). {White swelling} (Med.), a chronic swelling of the knee, produced by a strumous inflammation of the synovial membranes of the kneejoint and of the cancellar texture of the end of the bone forming the kneejoint; -- applied also to a lingering chronic swelling of almost any kind. {White tombac}. See {Tombac}. {White trout} (Zo[94]l.), the white weakfish, or silver squeteague ({Cynoscion nothus}), of the Southern United States. {White vitriol} (Chem.), hydrous sulphate of zinc. See {White vitriol}, under {Vitriol}. {White wagtail} (Zo[94]l.), the common, or pied, wagtail. {White wax}, beeswax rendered white by bleaching. {White whale} (Zo[94]l.), the beluga. {White widgeon} (Zo[94]l.), the smew. {White wine}. any wine of a clear, transparent color, bordering on white, as Madeira, sherry, Lisbon, etc.; -- distinguished from wines of a deep red color, as port and Burgundy. [bd]White wine of Lepe.[b8] --Chaucer. {White witch}, a witch or wizard whose supernatural powers are supposed to be exercised for good and beneficent purposes. --Addison. --Cotton Mather. {White wolf}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) A light-colored wolf ({Canis laniger}) native of Thibet; -- called also {chanco}, {golden wolf}, and {Thibetan wolf}. (b) The albino variety of the gray wolf. {White wren} (Zo[94]l.), the willow warbler; -- so called from the color of the under parts. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, a. [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.] Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly. [bd]Chastity and honor virginal.[b8] --Spenser. {Virginal generation} (Biol.), parthenogenesis. {Virginal membrane} (Anat.), the hymen. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, n. [Cf. F. virginale; -- probably so called from being used by young girls, or virgins.] (Mus.) 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. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, v. i. To play with the fingers, as if on a virginal; to tap or pat. [Obs.] [bd]Still virginaling upon his palm![b8] --Shak. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, a. [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.] Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly. [bd]Chastity and honor virginal.[b8] --Spenser. {Virginal generation} (Biol.), parthenogenesis. {Virginal membrane} (Anat.), the hymen. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginal \Vir"gin*al\, a. [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.] Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly. [bd]Chastity and honor virginal.[b8] --Spenser. {Virginal generation} (Biol.), parthenogenesis. {Virginal membrane} (Anat.), the hymen. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginhood \Vir"gin*hood\, n. Virginity; maidenhood. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.] 1. (Zo[94]l.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to {Coturnix} and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail ({C. communis}), the rain quail ({C. Coromandelica}) of India, the stubble quail ({C. pectoralis}), and the Australian swamp quail ({Synoicus australis}). 2. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of several American partridges belonging to {Colinus}, {Callipepla}, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called {Virginia quail}, and {Maryland quail}), and the California quail ({Calipepla Californica}). 3. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail ({Turnix varius}). See {Turnix}. 4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird.[Obs.] --Shak. {Bustard quail} (Zo[94]l.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus Turnix, as {T. taigoor}, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail ({T. ocellatus}). See {Turnix}. {Button quail} (Zo[94]l.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as {T. Sykesii}, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India. {Mountain quail}. See under {Mountain}. {Quail call}, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range. {Quail dove} {(Zo[94]l.)}, any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to {Geotrygon} and allied genera. {Quail hawk} (Zo[94]l.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk ({Hieracidea Nov[91]-Hollandi[91]}). {Quail pipe}. See {Quail call}, above. {Quail snipe} (Zo[94]l.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; -- called also {robin snipe}, and {brown snipe}. {Sea quail} (Zo[94]l.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Fence \Fence\, n. [Abbrev. from defence.] 1. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield. Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable. --Shak. A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath. --Addison. 2. An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within. Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold. --Milton. Note: In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a fence. 3. (Locks) A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking. 4. Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee. See {Fencing}. Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so well been taught her dazzing fence. --Milton. Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence. --Macaulay. 5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [Slang] --Mayhew. {Fence month} (Forest Law), the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. --Bullokar. {Fence roof}, a covering for defense. [bd]They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof.[b8] --Holland. {Fence time}, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. {Rail fence}, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts. {Ring fence}, a fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one inclosure. {Worm fence}, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one another at their ends; -- called also {snake fence}, or {Virginia rail fence}. {To be on the fence}, to be undecided or uncommitted in respect to two opposing parties or policies. [Colloq.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Reel \Reel\ (r?l), n. [Gael. righil.] A lively dance of the Highlanders of Scotland; also, the music to the dance; -- often called {Scotch reel}. {Virginia reel}, the common name throughout the United States for the old English [bd]country dance,[b8] or contradance (contredanse). --Bartlett. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Silk \Silk\, n. [OE. silk, selk, AS. seolc, seoloc; akin to Icel. silki, SW. & Dan. silke; prob. through Slavic from an Oriental source; cf. Lith. szilkai, Russ. shelk', and also L. sericum Seric stuff, silk. Cf. {Sericeous}. {Serge} a woolen stuff.] 1. The fine, soft thread produced by various species of caterpillars in forming the cocoons within which the worm is inclosed during the pupa state, especially that produced by the larv[91] of {Bombyx mori}. 2. Hence, thread spun, or cloth woven, from the above-named material. 3. That which resembles silk, as the filiform styles of the female flower of maize. {Raw silk}, silk as it is wound off from the cocoons, and before it is manufactured. {Silk cotton}, a cottony substance enveloping the seeds of the silk-cotton tree. {Silk-cotton tree} (Bot.), a name for several tropical trees of the genera {Bombax} and {Eriodendron}, and belonging to the order {Bombace[91]}. The trees grow to an immense size, and have their seeds enveloped in a cottony substance, which is used for stuffing cushions, but can not be spun. {Silk flower}. (Bot.) (a) The silk tree. (b) A similar tree ({Calliandra trinervia}) of Peru. {Silk fowl} (Zo[94]l.), a breed of domestic fowls having silky plumage. {Silk gland} (Zo[94]l.), a gland which secretes the material of silk, as in spider or a silkworm; a sericterium. {Silk gown}, the distinctive robe of a barrister who has been appointed king's or queen's counsel; hence, the counsel himself. Such a one has precedence over mere barristers, who wear stuff gowns. [Eng.] {Silk grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Stipa comata}) of the Western United States, which has very long silky awns. The name is also sometimes given to various species of the genera {Aqave} and {Yucca}. {Silk moth} (Zo[94]l.), the adult moth of any silkworm. See {Silkworm}. {Silk shag}, a coarse, rough-woven silk, like plush, but with a stiffer nap. {Silk spider} (Zo[94]l.), a large spider ({Nephila plumipes}), native of the Southern United States, remarkable for the large quantity of strong silk it produces and for the great disparity in the sizes of the sexes. {Silk thrower}, {Silk throwster}, one who twists or spins silk, and prepares it for weaving. --Brande & C. {Silk tree} (Bot.), an Asiatic leguminous tree ({Albizzia Julibrissin}) with finely bipinnate leaves, and large flat pods; -- so called because of the abundant long silky stamens of its blossoms. Also called {silk flower}. {Silk vessel}. (Zo[94]l.) Same as {Silk gland}, above. {Virginia silk} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Periploca Gr[ae]ca}) of the Milkweed family, having a silky tuft on the seeds. It is native in Southern Europe. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginia \Vir*gin"i*a\, n. One of the States of the United States of America. -- a. Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia. {Virginia cowslip} (Bot.), the American lungwort ({Mertensia Virginica}). {Virginia creeper} (Bot.), a common ornamental North American woody vine ({Ampelopsis quinquefolia}), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also {woodbine}, and {American ivy}. [U. S.] {Virginia fence}. See {Worm fence}, under {Fence}. {Virginia nightingale} (Zo[94]l.), the cardinal bird. See under {Cardinal}. {Virginia quail} (Zo[94]l.), the bobwhite. {Virginia reel}, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. --Bartlett. {Virginia stock}. (Bot.) See {Mahon stock}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Mahon stock \Ma*hon" stock`\ (Bot.) An annual cruciferous plant with reddish purple or white flowers ({Malcolmia maritima}). It is called in England {Virginia stock}, but the plant comes from the Mediterranean. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stonecrop \Stone"crop`\, n. [AS. st[be]ncropp.] 1. A sort of tree. [Obs.] --Mortimer. 2. (Bot.) Any low succulent plant of the genus {Sedum}, esp. {Sedum acre}, which is common on bare rocks in Europe, and is spreading in parts of America. See {Orpine}. {Virginian}, [or] {Ditch}, {stonecrop}, an American plant ({Penthorum sedoides}). | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virginity \Vir*gin"i*ty\, n. [OE. virgintee, F. virginit[82], L. virginitas.] 1. The quality or state of being a virgin; undefiled purity or chastity; maidenhood. 2. The unmarried life; celibacy. [Obs.] --Chaucer. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virgin \Vir"gin\, n. [L. virgo, -inis: cf. OF. virgine, virgene, virge, vierge, F. vierge.] 1. A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man; a maid. 2. A person of the male sex who has not known sexual indulgence. [Archaic] --Wyclif. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. --Rev. xiv. 4. He his flesh hath overcome; He was a virgin, as he said. --Gower. 3. (Astron.) See {Virgo}. 4. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of several species of gossamer-winged butterflies of the family {Lyc[91]nid[91]}. 5. (Zo[94]l.) A female insect producing eggs from which young are hatched, though there has been no fecundation by a male; a parthenogenetic insect. {The Virgin}, [or] {The Blessed Virgin}, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord. {Virgin's bower} (Bot.), a name given to several climbing plants of the genus {Clematis}, as {C. Vitalba} of Europe, and {C. Virginiana} of North America. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Clematis \Clem"a*tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. [?] brushwood, also (from its long, lithe branches) clematis. fr. [?] twig, shoot, fr. [?] to break off.] (Bot.) A genus of flowering plants, of many species, mostly climbers, having feathery styles, which greatly enlarge in the fruit; -- called also {virgin's bower}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Virgin \Vir"gin\, n. [L. virgo, -inis: cf. OF. virgine, virgene, virge, vierge, F. vierge.] 1. A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man; a maid. 2. A person of the male sex who has not known sexual indulgence. [Archaic] --Wyclif. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. --Rev. xiv. 4. He his flesh hath overcome; He was a virgin, as he said. --Gower. 3. (Astron.) See {Virgo}. 4. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of several species of gossamer-winged butterflies of the family {Lyc[91]nid[91]}. 5. (Zo[94]l.) A female insect producing eggs from which young are hatched, though there has been no fecundation by a male; a parthenogenetic insect. {The Virgin}, [or] {The Blessed Virgin}, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord. {Virgin's bower} (Bot.), a name given to several climbing plants of the genus {Clematis}, as {C. Vitalba} of Europe, and {C. Virginiana} of North America. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Clematis \Clem"a*tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. [?] brushwood, also (from its long, lithe branches) clematis. fr. [?] twig, shoot, fr. [?] to break off.] (Bot.) A genus of flowering plants, of many species, mostly climbers, having feathery styles, which greatly enlarge in the fruit; -- called also {virgin's bower}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Voraginous \Vo*rag"i*nous\, a. [L. voraginosus, fr. vorago an abyss, fr. vorare to swallow up.] Pertaining to a gulf; full of gulfs; hence, devouring. [R.] --Mallet. | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Vergennes, IL (village, FIPS 77525) Location: 37.90202 N, 89.33974 W Population (1990): 314 (132 housing units) Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 62994 Vergennes, VT (city, FIPS 74650) Location: 44.16736 N, 73.25575 W Population (1990): 2578 (970 housing units) Area: 6.3 sq km (land), 0.3 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 05491 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virgin, UT (town, FIPS 80530) Location: 37.20083 N, 113.19852 W Population (1990): 229 (82 housing units) Area: 3.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virginia, IL (city, FIPS 78201) Location: 39.95078 N, 90.21127 W Population (1990): 1767 (764 housing units) Area: 2.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Virginia, MN (city, FIPS 67288) Location: 47.51579 N, 92.50707 W Population (1990): 9410 (4706 housing units) Area: 43.6 sq km (land), 0.7 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 55792 Virginia, NE (village, FIPS 50790) Location: 40.24520 N, 96.49886 W Population (1990): 94 (42 housing units) Area: 0.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 68458 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virginia Beach, VA (city, FIPS 810) Location: 36.77013 N, 76.01474 W Population (1990): 393069 (147037 housing units) Area: 643.2 sq km (land), 645.0 sq km (water) Virginia Beach, VA (city, FIPS 82000) Location: 36.73936 N, 76.04367 W Population (1990): 393069 (147037 housing units) Area: 643.2 sq km (land), 151.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 23451, 23452, 23454, 23455, 23456, 23459, 23462, 23464 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virginia City, MT (town, FIPS 77125) Location: 45.29862 N, 111.93546 W Population (1990): 142 (124 housing units) Area: 2.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 59755 Virginia City, NV Zip code(s): 89440 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virginia Dale, CO Zip code(s): 80536 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Virginia Gardens, FL (village, FIPS 74575) Location: 25.80900 N, 80.29804 W Population (1990): 2212 (913 housing units) Area: 0.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) | |
From Jargon File (4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000) [jargon]: | |
Version 7 alt. V7 /vee' se'vn/ n. The first widely distributed version of {Unix}, released unsupported by Bell Labs in 1978. The term is used adjectivally to describe Unix features and programs that date from that release, and are thus guaranteed to be present and portable in all Unix versions (this was the standard gauge of portability before the POSIX and IEEE 1003 standards). Note that this usage does _not_ derive from the release being the "seventh version of {Unix}"; research {Unix} at Bell Labs has traditionally been numbered according to the edition of the associated documentation. Indeed, only the widely-distributed Sixth and Seventh Editions are widely known as V[67]; the OS that might today be known as `V10' is instead known in full as "Tenth Edition Research Unix" or just "Tenth Edition" for short. For this reason, "V7" is often read by cognoscenti as "Seventh Edition". See {BSD}, {USG Unix}, {{Unix}}. Some old-timers impatient with commercialization and kernel bloat still maintain that V7 was the Last True Unix. | |
From Jargon File (4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000) [jargon]: | |
virgin adj. Unused; pristine; in a known initial state. "Let's bring up a virgin system and see if it crashes again." (Esp. useful after contracting a {virus} through {SEX}.) Also, by extension, buffers and the like within a program that have not yet been used. | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Versa Module Europa use of the {Eurocard} standard. VME was introduced in 1981 by {Motorola}, {Philips}, {Thompson}, and {Mostek}. It was intended to be a flexible environment supporting a variety of computing intensive tasks, and has become a rather popular protocol in the computer industry. It is defined by the {IEEE} standard 1014-1987. (1997-03-10) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
version incorporating new modifications. Each version is usually identified by a number, commonly of the form X.Y where X is the major version number and Y is the release number. Typically an increment in X (with Y reset to zero) signifies a substantial increase in the function of the program or a partial or total re-implementation, whereas Y increases each time the progam is changed in any way and re-released. Version numbers are useful so that the user can know if the program has changed ({bug}s have been fixed or new functions added) since he obtained his copy and the programmer can tell if a bug report relates to the current version. It is thus always important to state the version when reporting bugs. Statements about compatibility between different software components should always say which versions they apply to. See {change management}. (1997-12-07) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Version 7 ancestral to all current commercial versions. {Brian Kernighan} announced the release of V7 in summer 1979, at the {Unix User's} Group meeting in Toronto. Before the release of the {POSIX}/{SVID} {standard}s, V7's features were often treated as a {Unix} portability baseline. Some old-timers impatient with commercialisation and {kernel bloat} still maintain that V7 was the Last True Unix. See {BSD}, {USG Unix}, {System V}. [{Jargon File}] (1996-05-22) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Very Small Aperture Terminal contact a communications satellite such as INMARSAT. (1995-03-28) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
virgin Unused; pristine; in a known initial state. "Let's bring up a virgin system and see if it crashes again." (Especially useful after contracting a {virus} through {SEX}.) Also, by extension, buffers and the like within a program that have not yet been used. [{Jargon File}] (1994-11-30) | |
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: | |
Version a translation of the holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible, nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word. (See SAMARITAN {PENTATEUCH}.) 1. The Targums. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Aramaic language and interpreted. These translations and paraphrases were at first oral, but they were afterwards reduced to writing, and thus targums, i.e., "versions" or "translations", have come down to us. The chief of these are, (1.) The Onkelos Targum, i.e., the targum of Akelas=Aquila, a targum so called to give it greater popularity by comparing it with the Greek translation of Aquila mentioned below. This targum originated about the second century after Christ. (2.) The targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel comes next to that of Onkelos in respect of age and value. It is more a paraphrase on the Prophets, however, than a translation. Both of these targums issued from the Jewish school which then flourished at Babylon. 2. The Greek Versions. (1.) The oldest of these is the Septuagint, usually quoted as the LXX. The origin of this the most important of all the versions is involved in much obscurity. It derives its name from the popular notion that seventy-two translators were employed on it by the direction of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, and that it was accomplished in seventy-two days, for the use of the Jews residing in that country. There is no historical warrant for this notion. It is, however, an established fact that this version was made at Alexandria; that it was begun about 280 B.C., and finished about 200 or 150 B.C.; that it was the work of a number of translators who differed greatly both in their knowledge of Hebrew and of Greek; and that from the earliest times it has borne the name of "The Septuagint", i.e., The Seventy. "This version, with all its defects, must be of the greatest interest, (a) as preserving evidence for the text far more ancient than the oldest Hebrew manuscripts; (b) as the means by which the Greek Language was wedded to Hebrew thought; (c) as the source of the great majority of quotations from the Old Testament by writers of the New Testament. (2.) The New Testament manuscripts fall into two divisions, Uncials, written in Greek capitals, with no distinction at all between the different words, and very little even between the different lines; and Cursives, in small Greek letters, and with divisions of words and lines. The change between the two kinds of Greek writing took place about the tenth century. Only five manuscripts of the New Testament approaching to completeness are more ancient than this dividing date. The first, numbered A, is the Alexandrian manuscript. Though brought to this country by Cyril Lucar, patriarch of Constantinople, as a present to Charles I., it is believed that it was written, not in that capital, but in Alexandria; whence its title. It is now dated in the fifth century A.D. The second, known as B, is the Vatican manuscript. (See {VATICANUS}.) The Third, C, or the Ephraem manuscript, was so called because it was written over the writings of Ephraem, a Syrian theological author, a practice very common in the days when writing materials were scarce and dear. It is believed that it belongs to the fifth century, and perhaps a slightly earlier period of it than the manuscript A. The fourth, D, or the manuscript of Beza, was so called because it belonged to the reformer Beza, who found it in the monastery of St. Irenaeus at Lyons in 1562 A.D. It is imperfect, and is dated in the sixth century. The fifth (called Aleph) is the Sinaitic manuscript. (See {SINAITICUS}.) 3. The Syriac Versions. (See {SYRIAC}.) 4. The Latin Versions. A Latin version of the Scriptures, called the "Old Latin," which originated in North Africa, was in common use in the time of Tertullian (A.D. 150). Of this there appear to have been various copies or recensions made. That made in Italy, and called the Itala, was reckoned the most accurate. This translation of the Old Testament seems to have been made not from the original Hebrew but from the LXX. This version became greatly corrupted by repeated transcription, and to remedy the evil Jerome (A.D. 329-420) was requested by Damasus, the bishop of Rome, to undertake a complete revision of it. It met with opposition at first, but was at length, in the seventh century, recognized as the "Vulgate" version. It appeared in a printed from about A.D. 1455, the first book that ever issued from the press. The Council of Trent (1546) declared it "authentic." It subsequently underwent various revisions, but that which was executed (1592) under the sanction of Pope Clement VIII. was adopted as the basis of all subsequent editions. It is regarded as the sacred original in the Roman Catholic Church. All modern European versions have been more or less influenced by the Vulgate. This version reads _ipsa_ instead of _ipse_ in Gen. 3:15, "She shall bruise thy head." 5. There are several other ancient versions which are of importance for Biblical critics, but which we need not mention particularly, such as the Ethiopic, in the fourth century, from the LXX.; two Egyptian versions, about the fourth century, the Memphitic, circulated in Lower Egypt, and the Thebaic, designed for Upper Egypt, both from the Greek; the Gothic, written in the German language, but with the Greek alphabet, by Ulphilas (died A.D. 388), of which only fragments of the Old Testament remain; the Armenian, about A.D. 400; and the Slavonic, in the ninth century, for ancient Moravia. Other ancient versions, as the Arabic, the Persian, and the Anglo-Saxon, may be mentioned. 6. The history of the English versions begins properly with Wyckliffe. Portions, however, of the Scriptures were rendered into Saxon (as the Gospel according to John, by Bede, A.D. 735), and also into English (by Orme, called the "Ormulum," a portion of the Gospels and of the Acts in the form of a metrical paraphrase, toward the close of the seventh century), long before Wyckliffe; but it is to him that the honour belongs of having first rendered the whole Bible into English (A.D. 1380). This version was made from the Vulgate, and renders Gen. 3:15 after that Version, "She shall trede thy head." This was followed by Tyndale's translation (1525-1531); Miles Coverdale's (1535-1553); Thomas Matthew's (1537), really, however, the work of John Rogers, the first martyr under the reign of Queen Mary. This was properly the first Authorized Version, Henry VIII. having ordered a copy of it to be got for every church. This took place in less than a year after Tyndale was martyred for the crime of translating the Scriptures. In 1539 Richard Taverner published a revised edition of Matthew's Bible. The Great Bible, so called from its great size, called also Cranmer's Bible, was published in 1539 and 1568. In the strict sense, the "Great Bible" is "the only authorized version; for the Bishops' Bible and the present Bible [the A.V.] never had the formal sanction of royal authority." Next in order was the Geneva version (1557-1560); the Bishops' Bible (1568); the Rheims and Douai versions, under Roman Catholic auspices (1582, 1609); the Authorized Version (1611); and the Revised Version of the New Testament in 1880 and of the Old Testament in 1884. | |
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: | |
Virgin In a prophecy concerning our Lord, Isaiah (7:14) says, "A virgin [R.V. marg., 'the virgin'] shall conceive, and bear a son" (comp. Luke 1:31-35). The people of the land of Zidon are thus referred to by Isaiah (23:12), "O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon;" and of the people of Israel, Jeremiah (18:13) says, "The virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing." | |
From The CIA World Factbook (1995) [world95]: | |
Virgin Islands (territory of the US) Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 352 sq km land area: 349 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land: 15% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 26% forest and woodland: 6% other: 47% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent and severe droughts, floods, and earthquakes international agreements: NA Note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean Virgin Islands:People Population: 97,229 (July 1995 est.) note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8% Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: -0.29% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -16.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.29 years male: 73.6 years female: 77.2 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.41 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) adjective: Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: black 80%, white 15%, other 5% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole Literacy: NA% Labor force: 45,500 (1988) by occupation: tourism 70% Virgin Islands:Government Names: conventional long form: Virgin Islands of the United States conventional short form: Virgin Islands Digraph: VQ Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Executive branch: chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January 1995); Lieutenant Governor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995); election last held 22 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (Independent) 54.7%, former Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE 42.6% Legislative branch: unicameral Senate: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Democrats 7, Independents 7, Republican 1 US House of Representatives: elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results - Victor O. FRAZER (Independent) 54.5%, Eileen R. PETERSON (Democrat) 45.5%; seats - (1 total) Independent 1; note - the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House of Representatives Judicial branch: US District Court: handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases Territorial Court: handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of the US) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Economy Overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1987 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $11,000 (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992) Budget: revenues: $364.4 million expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12% (year NA); accounts for NA% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 320,000 kW production: 970 million kWh consumption per capita: 9,172 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Virgin Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 856 km paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 note: international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Virgin Islands:Communications Telephone system: 58,931 telephones; modern telephone system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities local: NA intercity: NA international: NA Radio: broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 0 (1988) radios: 98,000 Television: broadcast stations: 4 (1988) televisions: 63,000 Virgin Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US |