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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Vestal \Ves"tal\, a. [L. Vestalis belonging to Vesta, vestal.
See {Vesta}.]
Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth;
hence, pure; chaste.
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Vestal \Ves"tal\, n. [L. Vestalis (sc. virgo): cf. F. vestale.
See {Vestal}, a.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A virgin consecrated to Vesta, and to the
service of watching the sacred fire, which was to be
perpetually kept burning upon her altar.
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Note: The Vestals were originally four, but afterward six, in
number. Their term of service lasted thirty years, the
period of admission being from the sixth to the tenth
year of the candidate's age.
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2. A virgin; a woman pure and chaste; also, a nun.
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How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! --Pope.
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