virginal

¹

[ vur-juh-nl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a virgin:

   virginal purity.

2. continuing in a state of virginity.
3. pure; unsullied; untouched:

   a virginal mountain stream.

4. Zoology. not fertilized.

virginal

²

[ vur-juh-nl ]

noun

1. Often virginals. a rectangular harpsichord with the strings stretched parallel to the keyboard, the earlier types placed on a table: popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.

virginal

¹

/ ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl /

noun

1. often plural a smaller version of the harpsichord, but oblong in shape, having one manual and no pedals

virginal

²

/ ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characterized by, proper to, or maintaining a state of virginity; chaste
2. extremely pure or fresh; untouched; undefiled

Derived Forms

• ˈvirginalist, noun
• ˈvirginally, adverb

Other Words From

• virgin·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of virginal¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin virginālis, equivalent to virgin- (stem of virgō virgin ) + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of virginal²

First recorded in 1520–30; apparently special use of virginal ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of virginal¹

C16: probably from Latin virginālis virginal ¹, perhaps because it was played largely by young ladies

Origin of virginal²

C15: from Latin virginālis maidenly, from virgō virgin

Example Sentences

Sister Megan is a virginal bride of Christ, and a journalist with a morbid fascination with serial killers and crime scenes.

From Salon

Instead, “People getting ready to do things” is spelled out in egg yolk, besmirching the virginal purity of its white satin support; and “It’s only vanishing cream” is translucent shellac disappearing against deathly black.

From Los Angeles Times

Before Roberts, the romance genre was dominated by tepid and virginal women who were overpowered by brooding men.

From New York Times

Playing a virginal high-school valedictorian in “Crossroads” put Spears off acting.

From Los Angeles Times

While this was happening privately, as the documentary "Framing Britney Spears" depicted, the public was hellbent on making Spears live up to this impossible standard of the virginal Madonna "good girl."

From Salon

Related Words

• angelic
• chaste
• pristine