veronica

¹

[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the image of the face of Christ, said in legend to have been miraculously impressed on the handkerchief or veil that St. Veronica gave to Him to wipe His face on the way to Calvary.
2. the handkerchief or veil itself.
3. Also called sudarium. any handkerchief, veil, or cloth bearing a representation of the face of Christ.

veronica

²

[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and clusters of small flowers, as the speedwell.

veronica

³

[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]

noun

1. (in bullfighting) a pass in which the matador keeps his feet and legs absolutely still while slowly swinging the open cape away from the charging bull.

Veronica

⁴

or Ve·ron·i·ka

[ vuh-ron-i-kuh ]

noun

1. a female given name.

veronica

¹

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. any scrophulariaceous plant of the genus Veronica, esp the speedwells, of temperate and cold regions, having small blue, pink, or white flowers and flattened notched fruits

veronica

²

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. bullfighting a pass in which the matador slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull

veronica

³

/ vəˈrɒnɪkə /

noun

1. the representation of the face of Christ that, according to legend, was miraculously imprinted upon the headcloth that Saint Veronica offered him on his way to his crucifixion
2. the cloth itself
3. any similar representation of Christ's face

Word History and Origins

Origin of veronica¹

First recorded in 1400–500; late Middle English; from Medieval Latin veronica, alleged to be an alteration of vēra īconica “true image,” subsequently also taken as the name of the woman who gave Christ the cloth; very, icon

Origin of veronica²

First recorded in 1520–30; from New Latin or Medieval Latin, perhaps after veronica ¹ or St. Veronica, but ultimately from Medieval Greek bereníkion plant name, equivalent to Bereník(ē) proper name + -ion diminutive suffix; Berenice ( def )

Origin of veronica³

First recorded in 1925–30; from Spanish verónica literally, veronica ¹ (from the resmblance of the matador holding the cape out with both hands to the woman who held the cloth out to Christ)

Word History and Origins

Origin of veronica¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, perhaps from the name Veronica

Origin of veronica²

from Spanish, from the name Veronica

Example Sentences

Other possible herbal additions include lemon balm, hyssop, spearmint, coriander, angelica and veronica.

From Los Angeles Times

Lavender, veronica and cranesbills could work as well.

From Washington Post

A faint aura of unconscious beauty still hovers over these flower collections, in which lichens, sprigs of veronica, lilies-of-the-valley and autumn crocuses have survived, pressed and a little faded, from the 18th century.

From The Guardian

Large trees can be made of sprigs of box or veronica, with immortelles glued on, and they will last fresh and pretty about a week.

From Project Gutenberg

The fuchsia also grows to a large size; but it is a more delicate plant than the veronica, and thrives only in sheltered places.

From Project Gutenberg