veronica
veronica Lexical Profile
veronica Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various herbaceous flowering plants or small shrubs of the genus Veronica in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), native primarily to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and cultivated for their dense terminal spikes or racemes of small, four-lobed blue, purple, pink, or white blossoms.
"She planted clumps of blue veronica along the sunny border of the perennial garden."
A cloth or handkerchief bearing a miraculous representation of the face of Jesus Christ, traditionally believed to be the veil with which Saint Veronica wiped his brow on the way to Calvary.
"Medieval pilgrims traveled to Rome hoping to catch a glimpse of the sacred veronica."
A classic maneuver in bullfighting in which the matador stands stationary and slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull using both hands, mimicking the holding of Saint Veronica's veil.
"The crowd applauded as the matador executed a graceful veronica in the center of the ring."
• Rhymes for veronica
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin Veronica, traditionally interpreted by folk etymology as vera icon ('true image'), though originally a Latinized variation of the Ancient Greek personal name Berenice ('bearer of victory').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.