Veal, vēl, n. the flesh of a calf.—n. Veal′-skin, a skin-disease marked by white shiny tubercles on the ears and neck.—adj. Veal′y, like veal or like a calf: immature. [O. Fr. veël (Prov. vedel)—L. vitellus, dim. of vitulus; Gr. italos, a calf.]
Vector, vek′tor, n. (math.) any directed quantity, as a straight line in space, involving both its direction and magnitude.—n. Vectitā′tion, a carrying.—adj. Vectō′rial. [L.,—vehĕre, vectum, to convey.]
Veda, vā′dä, n. the four holy books of the Hindus—Rigveda, or Veda of praises or hymns; Sâmaveda, or Veda of chants or tunes; Yajurveda, or Veda of prayers; and Atharvaveda, or Veda of the Atharvans:—pl. Vedas (vā′däz).—n. Vedan′ta, a system of Hindu philosophy based on the Vedas.—adjs. Vedan′tic, Ve′dic. [Sans. veda, knowledge—vid, to know; cf. Wit.]
Vedette, ve-det′, n. a mounted sentry stationed at the outposts of an army to watch an enemy. [Fr.,—It. vedetta—vedere, to see—L. vidēre, to see.]
Veer, vēr, v.i. to change direction, as the wind: to alter, of the course of a ship: to change one's mind.—v.t. to turn, shift: to change a ship's course by turning her head away from the wind.—n. and adj. Veer′ing.—adv. Veer′ingly. [Fr. virer (Prov. virar)—Low L. virāre, to turn—L. viriæ, armlets.]
Veery, vēr′i, n. the tawny thrush of North America.
Vega, vā′ga, n. a tract of flat land, a tobacco-field in Cuba. [Sp.]
Vegetable, vej′e-ta-bl, n. an organised body without sensation and voluntary motion, nourished by roots fixed in the ground: a plant for the table.—adj. belonging to plants: consisting of or having the nature of plants: derived from vegetables.—adj. Veg′etal, of the nature of a vegetable: pertaining to the vital functions of plants and animals, as growth, reproduction, &c.—ns. Veg′etaline, a substitute for ivory, &c., made by treating woody fibre with sulphuric acid, mixing with various ingredients, and pressing into any required form; Vegetal′ity, vegetable character, the vegetal functions collectively.—adj. Vegetā′rian, pertaining to those who abstain from animal food: consisting of vegetables.—n. one who holds that vegetables are the only proper food for man.—n. Vegetā′rianism, the theory and practice of a vegetarian.—v.i. Veg′etāte, to grow by roots and leaves: to sprout: to lead an idle, aimless life.—n. Vegetā′tion, process of growing, as a plant: vegetable growth: plants in general.—adj. Veg′etātive, growing, as plants: producing growth in plants: pertaining to unconscious or involuntary bodily functions as resembling the processes of vegetable growth: without intellectual activity, unprogressive.—adv. Veg′etātively.—n. Veg′etātiveness.—adj. Vegete (vej′ēt), vigorous.—n. Veg′etive (Shak.), a vegetable.—Vegetable kingdom, that division of natural objects which embraces vegetables or plants; Vegetable marrow, the fruit of a species of gourd, so called from its marrow-like appearance; Vegetable mould, mould consisting mostly of humus; Vegetable physiology, that department of botany which treats of the growth and functions of plants. [O. Fr.,—Low L. vegetabilis, animating—L. vegetāre, to quicken—vegēre, to be lively; akin to vigēre, to be vigorous. Cf. Vigour.]
Vehement, vē′he-ment, adj. passionate: furious: very eager or urgent.—ns. Vē′hemence, Vē′hemency, the quality of being vehement: violence: great ardour or fervour.—adv. Vē′hemently. [O. Fr.,—L. vehemens, from ve, out of, mens, mind; acc. to Vanicek, from vehĕre, to carry.]
Vehicle, vē′hi-kl, n. any kind of carriage or conveyance: that which is used to convey: (med.) a substance in which a medicine is taken: (paint.) a liquid used to render colours, varnishes, &c. fit for use.—adjs. Vehic′ūlar, -y, pertaining to or serving as a vehicle.—v.t. Vehic′ūlate (rare), to ride in a vehicle.—n. Vehicūlā′tion.—adj. Vehic′ūlātōry. [L. vehiculum—vehĕre, to carry.]