Vir|gin

vir|gin «VUR juhn», noun, adjective.

–noun.

1. a woman, especially a young one, who has not had sexual intercourse.

2. an unmarried woman, especially a young woman or girl; maiden.

3. Also, Virgin. a picture or image of the Virgin Mary.

4. Figurative. an unmarried woman, distinguished by piety or steadfastness in religion, especially one vowed to lifelong chastity.

5. a man, especially a young one, who has not had sexual intercourse.

6. a female animal that has not copulated.

7. Zoology. a female insect that produces fertile eggs by parthenogenesis.

8. a person with no experience in some area: »

Before opening the bistro he was an entrepreneurial virgin who had served in the Army cooking corps.

–adjective.

1. of or having to do with a virgin; suitable for a virgin: »

virgin modesty.

2. being a virgin or virgins; chaste.

3. composed or consisting of virgins.

4. Figurative. pure; spotless. Virgin snow is newly fallen snow.

5. Figurative. not yet used: »

virgin soil, a virgin forest.

6. free or clear of something.

7. found pure or uncombined in nature; native: »

virgin gold.

8. Figurative. a) used for the first time: »

a virgin sword.

b) being the first attempt; initial.

9. obtained directly from the ore or as a first product from smelting: »

virgin metal.

10. obtained from the first pressing, without the application of heat: »

virgin olive oil.

11. Zoology. reproducing by parthenogenesis.

╂[< Old French virgine, learned borrowing from Latin virgō, -inis]

Vir|gin «VUR juhn», noun.

1. = Virgin Mary. (Cf. ↑Virgin Mary)

2. a constellation and the sixth sign of the zodiac; Virgo.

╂[< virgin]