VIRELAY
Vir"e*lay, n. Etym: [F. virelai; virer to turn + lai a song, a lay.]
Defn: An ancient French song, or short poem, wholly in two rhymes,
and composed in short lines, with a refrain.
Of such matter made he many lays, Songs, complains, roundels,
virelayes. Chaucer.
To which a lady sung a virelay. Dryden.
Note: "The virelay admitted only two rhymes, and, after employing one for some time, the poet was virer, or to turn, to the other." Nares.
VIRENT
Vi"rent, a. Etym: [L. virens, p. pr. of virere to be green.]
Defn: Green; not withered. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
VIREO
Vir"e*o, n. Etym: [L., a species of bird.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of American singing birds belonging to Vireo and allied genera of the family Vireonidæ. In many of the species the back is greenish, or olive-colored. Called also greenlet.
Note: In the Eastern United States the most common species are the white-eyed vireo (Vireo Noveboracensis), the redeyed vireo (V. olivaceus), the blue-headed, or solitary, vireo (V. solitarius), the warbling vireo (V. gilvus), and the yellow-throated vireo (V. flavifrons). All these are noted for the sweetness of their songs.
VIRESCENCE
Vi*res"cence, (Bot.)
Defn: The act or state of becoming green through the formation of chlorophyll.