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

Veronica started using filters to edit pictures of herself on social media when she was 14 years old.

From MIT Technology Review

Veronica and Sophia are both avid users of Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, where these filters are popular with millions of people.

From MIT Technology Review

Teenagers Sophia and Veronica say they prefer distortion filters.

From MIT Technology Review

During our conversations, I asked Veronica to define what an “Instagram Face” looks like.

From MIT Technology Review

In light of all the effort it takes to navigate this complex world, Sophia and Veronica say they just wish they were better educated about beauty filters.

From MIT Technology Review

At the peak of her career as a high-end escort, Veronica Monet got a call.

From The Daily Beast

Marlene is described in the book series, by Veronica Roth, as a girl with "strong features" and a "nice smile."

From The Daily Beast

The tabloid battle between the sweet blonde and the brunette vixen played out like an issue of Betty and Veronica on crack.

From The Daily Beast

Author Veronica Roth was only 22 years old when she began writing the novels and…OMG, guuuys, you can totes tell.

From The Daily Beast

Unlike Veronica Mars, not a single person ever asked for these movies to be made.

From The Daily Beast

Veronica cackled at her, and her feathers stood up, so that you could see she thought Liebchen was no lady.

From Project Gutenberg

Kamelillo used to cook unlikely things which Kreps and Veronica ate peaceable between them.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the early field veronica, which flowered at his feet in the short grass under the hedge, his eyes were blue and grey.

From Project Gutenberg

Hooker and Loudon say that another generic name, Veronica, is of doubtful origin.

From Project Gutenberg

Memory recalled the sedate, reserved girl she had known as Veronica Browning.

From Project Gutenberg