virginal
pronunciation
How to pronounce virginal in British English:
UK [ˈvɜ:dʒɪnl]
How to pronounce virginal in American English:
US [ˈvɜrdʒɪnl]
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- Noun:
- a legless rectangular harpsichord; played (usually by women) in the 16th and 17th centuries
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- Adjective:
- characteristic of a virgin or virginity
- untouched or undefiled
- in a state of sexual virginity
Word Origin
- virginal (adj.)
- early 15c., from Old French virginal "virginal, pure, chaste," or directly from Latin virginalis "of a maiden, of a virgin," from virgin (see virgin). The keyed musical instrument so called from 1520s (see virginals).
Example
- 1. Does nobody remember her portrayal of the virginal hero of " much ado about nothing " as directed by kenneth branagh ?
- 2. Even amid his drabbing , he himself retained some virginal airs ( stanislaus joyce )
- 3. You see , in medieval times , a virginal maiden would sit alone in the woods until a unicorn , enchanted by her purity , approached and laid its head in her lap .
- 4. " Even amid his drabbing , he himself retained some virginal airs " ( stanislaus joyce )
- 5. Go deep into the jungle with the world 's most beautiful women and share the virginal vastness and musky moistness of the dark continent .