V
The twenty-second letter of the English alphabet represents a uniform consonant sound, as heard in vain, eve, vow, and move. It is the vocal or sonant correspondent of f. Its form is only a cariety of the character by which the vowel U is denoted, the latter being in its origin the cursive character employed with soft materials, while V is better adapted for writing on stone. — Webster, 1882
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 vanity cakes  velocipede  velvet  Volga, Dakota Territory |
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The following is an incomplete list of the remaining indexed main headings. Once a completed entry has been uploaded, it will be removed from the list below and added to the links above. Subheadings, reference locators, and cross-referenced subentries are not included in this list. Always consult the completed entry for referenced source of definition used below.
vain – Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; elated with a high opinion of one’s own accomplishments, or with things more showy than valuable; conceited; puffed up; inflated.
valley – The space enclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. A deep narrow valley with abrupt sides is called a gorge; and if a profound cut through rocks, or containing a violent torrent at the bottom, it is called a canyon.
vanity – The state or quality of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity. Especially, an inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one’s personal attainments or decorations; pride; ostentation.
vaudeville – A type of entertainment featuring a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance.
veil – Something to intercept the view, and hide an object; especially, a screen, usually of thin gauze or similar material, to hide or protect the face; a cover; a curtain.
venison – The flesh of edible beasts of chase; game. In the United States, it is applied exclusively to the flesh of the deer, or corvine genus of animals.
Verdigris River – A tributary of the Arkansas River in southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma in the United States.
Vermont – A state in the northeastern part of the United States.
vest – An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe. Specifically, a waistcoat or body garment for men, without sleeves, and worn under the coat.
vexation – Made angry by little provocations; trouble; irritation; disquiet; agitation; affliction.
vinegar – An acid liquor obtained from wine, cider, beer, and the like, by the acetous fermentation. The sourness of vinegar is ordinarily due to acetic acid, of which it contains a small proportion, rarely more than four or five per cent. Vinegar made from wine contains also a little tartaric acid, and a minute quantity of acetic ether, which communicates a pleasant aroma. That made from cider contains also a small proportion of malic acid.
Vinton, Iowa – Town in Benton County, the location of the Iowa College for the Blind.
violet – A plant and flower of the genus Viola, of many species. They are generally low, herbaceous plants, and the flowers of many of the species are of some shade of blue. The color seen in a violet, being that one of the seven primary colors of the solar spectrum which is most refrangible.
violin – An instrument with four strings, played with a bow; a fiddle.
Virginia – Commonwealth located in the South Atlantic region of the United States.
vise – An engine or instrument for gripping and holding things, closed by a screw.
vivacity – The quality of being vivacious; tenacity of life; vital force; natural vigor. Life; animation; spiritedness; as, the vivacity of a discourse. Sprightliness of temper or behavior; air of life and activity; as, a lady of great vivacity; vivacity of countenance.
vote – To express or signify the mind, will, or preference, either viva voce, or by ballot, or other authorized means, as in electing men to office, or in passing laws, regulations, and the like, or in deciding on any proposition in which one has an interest with others.
