Definition

Noun: 1. (Roman Mythology) A priestess of Vesta: A member of the only female priesthood in ancient Rome, consecrated to the goddess Vesta. Their primary duty was to maintain the sacred, perpetual fire in the Temple of Vesta, which symbolized the security and continuity of the Roman state. 2. A chaste woman; a virgin: By extension, due to the strict vow of chastity taken by these priestesses, the term can refer to a woman who is pure, chaste, or celibate.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Mythological):
  • The vestal virgin was responsible for ensuring the sacred flame never went out.
  • If a vestal virgin broke her vow of chastity, the punishment was severe.
• Noun (Figurative):
  • (Literary) She was regarded in the village as a vestal virgin, dedicated to her studies and untouched by worldly affairs.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Reference: The term is often used in historical, literary, or artistic contexts to evoke ancient Roman religion or to symbolize purity and sacred duty.
  • The novelist described her protagonist's dedication to science with the solemnity of a vestal virgin tending her flame.

Variants and Related Words

• Vestal (Adjective): Pertaining to the vestal virgins or to chastity and purity.
  • She took a vestal oath of celibacy.
• Vestal (Noun): A less common, synonymous form for "vestal virgin."
  • The vestals lived in the House of the Vestal Virgins.

Synonyms

• Priestess of Vesta (Mythological)
• Virgin (Figurative)
• Celibate (Figurative)

Related Idioms & Phrases

• Vestal vows: A reference to the solemn promises, especially of chastity, taken by the vestal virgins. Used figuratively for any serious vow of purity or abstinence.
  • He took vestal vows of poverty and silence when he entered the monastery.

Noun

1. (Roman mythology) one of the virgin priestesses consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to maintaining the sacred fire in her temple