Ursulines. An Order of nuns named after St Ursula, who suffered martyrdom at Cologne in the tenth century.
Utah. After an Indian tribe, the Yuta or Utes, encountered in the region so named.
Utilitarianism. A word implying “the happiness of the greatest number.” In this sense it was first popularised by John Stuart Mill, after Jeremy Bentham had promulgated a similar ethical religion under the style of “Utility.”
Utopia. From the Greek ou, not, and topos, place, this compound term signifies “nowhere,” “no such place.” Ideas and Systems are said to be “Utopian” when they cannot be accepted by the average reasoning mind.
V
Valance. From Valencia in Spain, where bed drapery was at one time made for the supply of the world’s markets.
Valencias. Raisins grown in the Spanish province of Valencia, which name, relative to the capital city, means “powerful, strong.”
Valenciennes. Lace made at the French town of the same name.
Valentines. See “[St Valentine’s Day].”
Valparaiso. Expresses the Spanish for “Vale of Paradise.”