| 释义 |
vir·gin·al
I. \-nəl\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French virginal, from Latin virginalis, from virgin-, virgo virgin + -alis -al
1. : of, relating to, or characteristic of a virgin or virginity
2. : continuing in or maintaining a state of chastity : possessing the purity attributed to a virgin
3. : essentially pure : pristine, unsullied, untouched
< nor is there anything more virginal than the shimmer of young foliage — L.P.Smith >
Synonyms: see youthful
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: probably from Latin virginalis of or relating to a virgin; perhaps from its being played by young girls
: a small rectangular spinet having no legs and having only one wire to a note, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries — often used in plural
< plays upon the virginals >
< a pair of virginals >
III. intransitive verb
obsolete : to tap with the fingers as if on a virginal
IV. noun
(-s)
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Latin virginale, neuter of virginalis of a virgin
: a book of the offices of the Virgin Mary |