virginal

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: vir=gin=al

CIDE DICTIONARY

virginal, a. [L. virginalis: cf. F. virginal.].

 Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]

Virginal generation (Biol.), parthenogenesis. -- Virginal membrane (Anat.), the hymen.

virginal, n. [Cf. F. virginale; -- probably so called from being used by young girls, or virgins.].

 An instrument somewhat resembling the spinet, but having a rectangular form, like the small piano. It had strings and keys, but only one wire to a note. The instrument was used in the sixteenth century, but is now wholly obsolete. It was sometimes called a pair of virginals.  [1913 Webster]

virginal, v. i. 

 To play with the fingers, as if on a virginal; to tap or pat.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

virginal, adj. & n.
--adj. that is or befits or belongs to a virgin.
--n. (usu. in pl.) (in full pair of virginals) an early form of spinet in a box, used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Derivative

virginalist n. virginally adv.

Etymology

ME f. OF virginal or L virginalis (as VIRGIN): name of the instrument perh. from its use by young women

THESAURUS

virginal

Platonic, abstinent, artless, bachelorlike, budding, callow, celibate, continent, dewy, ever-new, evergreen, firsthand, fledgling, fresh, green, growing, husbandless, immature, impubic, in the raw, inartificial, inexperienced, ingenuous, innocent, intact, juicy, maiden, maidenly, minor, naive, native, natural, neoteric, nestling, new, new-fledged, old-maidish, original, pristine, raw, ripening, sappy, sempervirent, single, sole, spinsterish, spinsterlike, spinsterly, spouseless, tender, unadult, unbeaten, underage, undeveloped, unfledged, unformed, unhandled, unlicked, unmarried, unmellowed, unripe, unseasoned, unspoiled, unsullied, untapped, untouched, untried, untrodden, unused, unwed, unwedded, vernal, vestal, virgin, young

ROGET THESAURUS

virginal

Worship

N worship, adoration, devotion, aspiration, homage, service, humiliation, kneeling, genuflection, prostration, prayer, invocation, supplication, rogation, intercession, orison, holy breathing, petition, collect, litany, Lord's prayer, paternoster, beadroll, latria, dulia, hyperdulia, vigils, revival, cult, anxious meeting, camp meeting, ebenezer, virginal, thanksgiving, giving thanks, returning thanks, grace, praise, glorification, benediction, doxology, hosanna, hallelujah, allelujah, Te Deum, non nobis Domine, nunc dimittis, paean, benschen, Ave Maria, O Salutaris, Sanctus, The Annunciation, Tersanctus, Trisagion, psalm, psalmody, hymn, plain song, chant, chaunt, response, anthem, motet, antiphon, antiphony, oblation, sacrifice, incense, libation, burnt offering, heave offering, votive offering, offertory, discipline, self-discipline, self-examination, self-denial, fasting, divine service, office, duty, exercises, morning prayer, mass, matins, evensong, vespers, undernsong, tierce, holyday, worshipper, congregation, communicant, celebrant, worshipping, devout, devotional, reverent, pure, solemn, fervid, Int, hallelujah, allelujah!, hosanna!, glory be to God!, O Lord!, pray God that!, God grant, God bless, God save, God forbid!, sursum corda, making their lives a prayer, ora et labora, prayers ardent open heaven.