VANG
Vang, n. Etym: [D. vangen to catch, seize. See Fang.] (Naut.)
Defn: A rope to steady the peak of a gaff.
VANGLO
Van"glo, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Benne (Sesamum orientale); also, its seeds; — so called in the
West Indies.
VANGUARD Van"guard`, n. Etym: [For vantguard, avantguard, F. avant-garde; avant before, fore + garde guard. See Avant, Ab-,Ante-, and Guard, and cf. Advance, Vamp, Van of an army, Vaward.] (Mil.)
Defn: The troops who march in front of an army; the advance guard; the van.
VANILLA Va*nil"la, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Sp. vainilla, dim. of Sp. vaina a sheath, a pod, L. vagina; because its grains, or seeds, are contained in little pods.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants natives of tropical
America.
2. The long podlike capsules of Vanilla planifolia, and V. claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules, extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc.