vestal adjective & noun. ['vɛst(ǝ)l] LME.
[Latin vestalis, formed as VESTA: see -AL¹.]
A. adjective.
1. Roman History. Of a virgin: serving the goddess Vesta as a priestess. LME.

2. Of or pertaining to the Roman goddess Vesta; (of fire etc.) sacred, constantly burning. LME.

3. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a vestal virgin; chaste, pure, virginal. L16.
b. noun.
1. Roman History. In full vestal virgin. Each of the virgin priestesses of the goddess Vesta, vowed to chastity, who had the duty of keeping the sacred fire burning on the goddess's altar. LME.

2. A virgin; a chaste woman; a nun. L16.

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