Valetudo, see [Æger].
[Validus]; Firmus; Robustus. 1. Validus (from ὅλος, οὖλος), means strong, in an active sense, as able to perform something, in opp. to imbecillis, Cic. Fam. vii. 1. Plin. H. N. xiv. 21, like σθεναρός; whereas firmus and robustus, in a passive sense, as able to endure; firmum (from φράξαι, φάργνυμι), strong from an immovable position, and, consequently, stedfast, in opp. to labans, vacillans, and, for want of a corresponding adjective, to imbecillus, Cic. Fam. ix. 16. Sall. Jug. 10. Quintil. v. 10, 49, like βέβαιος; robustum (from ἐῤῥῶσθαι) through its compact nature, and its impenetrable and, consequently, durable materials, nearly in opp. to tenerum, like ῥωμαλέος and ἰσχυρός. 2. Imbecillitas denotes generally a mental, infirmitas, a bodily weakness, according to Cic. Fin. v. 45. In infirma ætate, imbecillaque mente: both are sometimes used in a mental sense, in which case imbecillitas denotes a natural weakness of the head or heart, a want of talent or of spirit; whereas infirmitas, a moral weakness of character, fickleness and uncertainty, for example: Cæs. B. G. vii. 77. Nolite stultitia ac temeritate vestra aut imbecillitate animi omnem Galliam prosternere; comp. with iv. 5. Cæsar infirmitatem Gallorum veritus, quod sunt in consiliis capiendis mobiles et rebus plerumque novis student. Or, Cic. Divin. ii. 60, with Fam. xv. 1. Or, Tac. Ann. iv. 8, with Hist. i. 9. (iv. 164.)
Vallum, see [Agger].
Vallus, see [Stipes].
Valvæ, see [Ostium].
[Varius]; Diversus; Contrarius; Versicolor; Variegare. 1. Varium (from αἰόλος) means, possessing differences in its own texture, varied; whereas diversum, differing from something else, distinct. Catull. 47, 10. Quos longe simul a domo profectos diverse variæ viæ reportant; that is, whom various ways, in an entirely different direction, bring home. Tac. Hist. i. 25. Otho postquam vario sermone callidos et audaces cognovit pretio et promissis onerat . . . Suspensos cæterorum animos diversis artibus (namely, spe et metu) stimulant. 2. The diversa will have nothing in common, and go different or even opposite ways from each other; whereas the contraria confront and stand directly opposite to each other. Hence the following climax in Cic. Divin. ii. 26, 55. Diversas aut etiam contrarias. Vell. Pat. ii. 75. Diversa præsentibus et contraria exspectatis sperare. Quintil. v. 10, 26. 3. Varium denotes variegated, as exhibiting different colors at the same time, like ποικίλον; whereas versicolor, that which changes its color, according to the light in which it is held, like αἰόλον. Propert. iii. 13, 32. Aut variam plumæ versicoloris avem. Pliny is describing two different properties, xxxvii. 10, when he describes the stone Mithrax, as at the same time multicolor and contra solem varie refulgens. 4. Variare means to give a varied appearance in general; variegare, to give a varied appearance, especially by different colors. (iii. 269.)
Vas, see [Sponsor].
Vasta, see [Solitudo].
[Vastare]; Populari; Diripere; Agere ferre; Expilare; Spoliare; Peculari. 1. Vastare (from ustus?) means to lay waste, from rage or from policy to destroy the property of an enemy, like πέρθειν, πορθεῖν; whereas populari, diripere, and agere ferre, to plunder for one’s own use; populari, on a great scale, for example, to lay waste all the crops, and drive off the herds; diripere, on a small scale, to break into the houses, and break open the closets; agere ferre includes both meanings, like ἄγειν καὶ φέρειν. 2. Spoliare and populari mean to plunder, in a state of open warfare; whereas expilare and peculari, depeculari, in a state of peace; expilare (ψιλόω) by open force; peculari (dimin. of πέκω) by fraud, and by secretly purloining the property of the state. Cic. Parad. vi. 1. Si socios spolias, ærarium expilas. (iv. 339.)
Vates, see [Canere].