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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Vestal

Vĕs'tal, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. Vestalis, belonging to Vesta, vestal. See supra.]

  1. Of, or pertaining to, Vesta, the goddess of fire among the Romans, and a virgin.
  2. Hence, pure; chaste.

Vĕs'tal, n.

noun

n. [Lat. vestalis (sc. virgo); Fr. & It. vestale, Sp. vestal. See supra.] (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.

☞ The Vestals were six in number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, beginning at from the sixth to the tenth year of their age.