A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

villein --- c.1325, spelling variant of villain, refering to a feudal class of half-free peasants.

vim --- 1843, usually said to be from L. vim, accusative of vis "strength, force, power, energy." But perhaps the modern word is purely imitative.

vinaigrette --- 1698, a type of condiment, from Fr., dim. of vinaigre "(aromatic) vinegar" (see vinegar). Modern sense of a type of dressing for salads or cold vegetables is attested from 1877.

Vincent --- masc. proper name, from Fr., shortened from L. Vincentius, from vincens "conquering," from vincere "to overcome" (see victor). The name of a 3c. martyr, it was introduced in England c.1200.

vindicate (v.) --- 1623, "to avenge or revenge," from L. vindicatus, pp. of vindicare (see vindication). Meaning "to clear from censure or doubt, by means of demonstration" is recorded from 1635.

vindication --- 1484, "act of avenging, revenge," from L. vindicationem (nom. vindicatio) "act of claiming or avenging," from vindicare "to set free, lay claim to, assert, avenge" (related to vindicta "revenge"), probably from vim dicare "to show authority," from vim, accusative of vis "force" + root of dicere "to say" (see diction). Meaning "justification by proof, defense against censure" is attested from 1647.

vindictive --- 1616, from L. vindicta "revenge" (see vindication).

vine --- c.1300, from O.Fr. vigne, from L. vinea "vine, vineyard," from vinum "wine," from PIE *win-o-, from an Italic noun related to words for "wine" in Gk., Armenian, Hittite, and non-I.E. Georgian and West Semitic (cf. Heb. yayin, Ethiopian wayn); probably ult. from a lost Mediterranean language word *w(o)in- "wine." The European grape vine was imported to California via Mexico by priests in 1564.

vinegar --- c.1300, from O.Fr. vinaigre, from vin "wine" (from L. vinum, see wine) + aigre "sour" (see eager). In L., it was vinum acetum "wine turned sour;" cf. also Gk. oxos "wine vinegar," which is related to oxys "sharp" (see acrid).

vineyard --- c.1300, replacing O.E. wingeard, from vine + yard. Cf. Ger. weingarten.

vino --- inferior wine, 1919, colloquial, from It. and Sp. word for "wine," from L. vinum (see vine).

vintage --- c.1450, "harvest of grapes, yield of wine from a vineyard," from Anglo-Fr. vintage (1353), from O.Fr. vendage "yield from a vineyard," from L. vindemia "a gathering of grapes, yield of grapes," from comb. form of vinum "wine" + stem of demere "take off" (from de- "from, away from" + emere "to take;" see exempt). Sense shifted to "age or year of a particular wine" (1746), then to a general sense of "being of an earlier time" (1883). Used of cars since 1928.

vintner --- wine merchant, c.1430, alteration of vinter (c.1297), from Anglo-Fr. vineter, O.Fr. vinetier, from M.L. vinetarius "a wine dealer," from L. vinetum "vineyard," from vinum "wine" (see vine).

vinyl --- plastic or synthetic resin, 1939, short for polyvinyl, not in widespread use until late 1950s. In chemistry, vinyl was used from 1863 as the name of a univalent radical derived from ethylene, from L. vinum "wine," because ethyl alcohol is the ordinary alcohol present in wine. Slang meaning "phonograph record" (1976) replaced wax in that sense.

viol --- musical instrument, 1483, viel, from M.Fr. viole, from O.Fr., from O.Prov. viola (see viola).

Viola --- fem. proper name, from L. viola "the violet" (see violet).

viola --- tenor violin, 1797, from It. viola, from O.Prov. viola, from M.L. vitula "stringed instrument," perhaps from Vitula, Roman goddess of joy (see fiddle), or from related L. verb vitulari "to exult, be joyful." Viola da gamba "bass viol" (1724) is from It., lit. "a viola for the leg" (i.e. to hold between the legs).

violate (v.) --- 1432, "to break" (an oath, etc.), from L. violatus (see violation). Sense of "ravish" is first recorded c.1440.

violation --- 1432, from L. violationem (nom. violatio) "an injury, irreverence," from violatus, pp. of violare "to violate, treat with violence, outrage, dishonor," perhaps related to vis "violence, strength."

violence --- c.1290, "physical force used to inflict injury or damage," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. violence, from L. violentia "vehemence, impetuosity," from violentus "vehement, forcible," probably related to violare (see violate). Weakened sense of "improper treatment" is attested from 1596. Violent is attested from c.1340. In M.E. the word also was applied in ref. to heat, sunlight, smoke, etc., with the sense "having some quality so strongly as to produce a powerful effect."

violet --- c.1330, small plant with purplish-blue flowers, from O.Fr. violette, dim. of viole "violet," from L. viola, cognate with Gk. ion (see iodine), probably from a pre-I.E. Mediterranean language. The color sense (1370) developed from the flower.

violin --- 1579, from It. violino, dim. of viola (see viola).

violon d'Ingres --- an occasional pastime, an activity other than that for which one is well-known, or at which one excells, 1963, from Fr., lit. "Ingres' violin," from the story that the great painter prefered to play his violin -- badly -- for visitors instead of showing them his pictures.

violoncello --- 1724, from It. violoncello, dim. of violone "bass viol," augmentative of viola (see viola).

viper --- c.1520, from M.Fr. vipere, from L. vipera "viper, snake, serpent," from vivus "alive, living" (see vital) + parere "bring forth, bear" (see pare). It formerly was believed (mistakenly) that the viper does not lay eggs. Applied to persons of spiteful character since at least 1591. The only venomous snake found in Great Britain. Replaced native adder. "The flesh of the viper was formerly regarded as possessing great nutritive or restorative properties, and was frequently used medicinally" [OED]; hence viper wine, wine medicated with some kind of extract from vipers, used 17c. by "gray-bearded gallants" in a bid "to feele new lust, and youthfull flames agin."

virago --- 1387, "man-like or heroic woman," from L., from vir "man" (see virile). Ælfric (c.1000), following Vulgate, used it in Gen. ii.23 (KJV = woman):

viral --- of the nature of, or caused by, a virus, 1948, see virus.

vireo --- 1834, from L. vireo, a word Pliny uses for some kind of bird, perhaps the greenfinch, from virere "be green" (see verdure). Applied in modern times to an Amer. bird.

virgilian --- 1513, from L. Virgilianus "of or characteristic of the Roman poet Virgil" (Publius Vergilius Maro, 70-19 B.C.E.). Also in Virgilian lots (L. sortes Virgilianæ), opening Virgil at random as an oracle.

virgin (n.) --- c.1200, "unmarried or chaste woman noted for religious piety and having a position of reverence in the Church," from O.Fr. virgine, from L. virginem (nom. virgo) "maiden, unwedded girl or woman," also an adj., "fresh, unused," probably related to virga "young shoot." For sense evolution, cf. Gk. talis "a marriageable girl," cognate with L. talea "rod, stick, bar." Meaning "young woman in a state of inviolate chastity" is recorded from c.1310. Also applied since c.1330 to a chaste man. Meaning "naive or inexperienced person" is attested from 1953. The adj. is recorded from 1560 in the lit. sense; fig. sense of "pure, untainted" is attested from c.1300. Virginity is attested from c.1303, from O.Fr. virginite, from L. virginitatem (nom. virginitas), from virgo.

virginals --- small harpsichord, 1530, evidently from virgin, but the connection is unclear, unless it means "an instrument played by girls."

Virginia --- British colony in N.America, name appears on a map in 1587, named for Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. The fem. proper name is from L. Virginia, fem. of Virginius, earlier Verginius, probably related to Vergilius (cf. virgilian).

Virgo --- zodiacal constellation, c.1000, from L. Virgo "the virgin" (see virgin). Meaning "person born under the sign of Virgo" is attested from 1917.

virgule --- thin sloping line, used as a comma in medieval MSS, 1837, from Fr. virgule, from L. virgula "punctuation mark," lit. "little twig," dim. of virga "shoot, rod, stick." The word had been borrowed in its L. form in 1728.

virile --- 1490, from O.Fr. viril, from L. virilis "of a man, manly," from vir "a man, a hero," from PIE *uiHro "freeman" (cf. Skt. virah, Avestan vira-, Lith. vyras, O.Ir. fer, Welsh gwr, Goth. wair, O.E. wer "man"). Virile member for "penis" is recorded from 1541. Virility "period of manhood" is attested from 1586; meaning "manly strength" is recorded from 1603.

virtu --- excellence in an object of art, passion for works of art, 1722, from It. virtu "excellence," from L. virtutem (nom. virtus) "virtue" (see virtue). The same word as virtue, borrowed during a period when everything Italian was in vogue. Sometimes spelled vertu, after Fr., but this is unjustified, as this sense of the word is not in Fr.

virtual --- 1398, "influencing by physical virtues or capabilities," from M.L. virtualis, from L. virtus "excellence, potency, efficacy," lit. "manliness, manhood" (see virtue). The meaning of "being something in essence or fact, though not in name" is first recorded 1654, probably via sense of "capable of producing a certain effect" (1432). Computer sense of "not physically existing but made to appear by software" is attested from 1959. Virtually (c.1430) originally meant "as far as essential qualities or facts are concerned;" sense of "in effect, as good as" is recorded from c.1600.

virtue --- c.1225, "moral life and conduct, moral excellence," vertu, from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. vertu, from L. virtutem (nom. virtus) "moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, worth," from vir "man" (see virile). Phrase by virtue of (c.1230) preserves alternate M.E. sense of "efficacy." Wyclif Bible has virtue where K.J.V. uses power. The seven cardinal virtues (c.1320) were divided into the natural (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) and the theological (hope, faith, charity). To make a virtue of a necessity (c.1374) translates L. facere de necessitate virtutem. [Jerome]

virtuoso --- 1620, "scholar, connoisseur," from It. virtuoso (pl. virtuosi), noun use of adj. meaning "skilled, learned, of exceptional worth," from L.L. virtuosus (see virtuous). Meaning "person with great skill" (as in music) is first attested 1743.

virtuous --- c.1386, "chaste" (of women), from virtue (q.v.). Earlier it was used in a sense of "valiant, valorous, manly" (c.1300).

virulent --- 1400, in ref. to wounds, ulcers, etc., "full of corrupt or poisonous matter," from L. virulentus "poisonous," from virus "poison" (see virus). Fig. sense of "violent, spiteful" is attested from 1607.

virus --- 1392, "venomous substance," from L. virus "poison, sap of plants, slimy liquid," probably from PIE base *weis- "to melt away, to flow," used of foul or malodorous fluids (cf. Skt. visam "poison," visah "poisonous;" Avestan vish- "poison;" L. viscum "sticky substance, birdlime;" Gk. ios "poison," ixos "mistletoe, birdlime; O.C.S. višnja "cherry;" O.Ir. fi "poison;" Welsh gwy "fluid, water," gwyar "blood"). Main modern meaning "agent that causes infectious disease" first recorded 1728. The computer sense is from 1972. Adjective form viral was coined 1948.

visa --- 1831, "official signature or endorsement on a passport," from Fr. visa, from Mod.L. charta visa "verified paper," lit. "paper that has been seen," from fem. pp. of L. videre "to see" (see vision). Earlier visé (1810), from Fr. pp. of viser "to examine, view."

visage --- 1303, from O.Fr. visage, from vis "face, appearance," from L. visus "a look, vision," from pp. stem of videre "to see" (see vision). Visagiste "make-up artist" is recorded from 1958, from Fr.

vis-à-vis --- 1753, from Fr. prepositional use of the adj. vis-à-vis "face to face," from O.Fr. vis "face" (see visage).

viscera (n., pl.) --- inner organs of the body, 1651, from L. viscera, pl. of viscus "internal organ," of unknown origin.

visceral --- 1575, "affecting inward feelings," from M.Fr. viscéral, from M.L. visceralis "internal," from L. viscera, pl. of viscus "internal organ," of unknown origin. The bowels were regarded as the seat of emotion. The figurative sense vanished after 1640 and the literal sense is first recorded in 1794. The figurative sense was revived 1940s in arts criticism.

viscid --- sticky, 1611 (implied in viscidity), from L.L. viscidus, from L. viscum "mistletoe, birdlime" (see viscous).

viscount --- 1387, "deputy of a count or earl," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. visconte, from M.L. vicecomes (gen. vicecomitis), from L.L. vice- "deputy" (see vice-) + L. comes "member of an imperial court, nobleman" (see count (n.)). As a rank in British peerage, first recorded 1440, when John, Baron Beaumont, was made one by Henry VI.

viscous --- 1392, from Anglo-Fr. viscous, from L.L. viscosus "sticky," from L. viscum "anything sticky, birdlime made from mistletoe, mistletoe," probably from PIE base *weis- "to melt away, flow" (used of foul or malodorous fluids); see virus.

vise --- c.1300, "device like a screw or winch for bending a crossbow or catapult," from O.Fr. vis, viz "screw," from L. vitis "vine, tendril of a vine," lit. "that which winds," from base of viere "to bind, twist" (see withy). The meaning "clamping tool with two jaws closed by a screw" is first recorded 1500.

Vishnu --- name of a principal Hindu deity, 1638, from Skt. Vishnu, probably from root vish- and meaning "all-pervader" or "worker."

visibility --- 1581, "condition of being seen," from L.L. visibilitas (see visible). Meaning "range of vision under given conditions" is from 1914. Sense of "prominence, fame, public attention" is recorded from 1958.

visible --- c.1340, from O.Fr. visible (12c.), from L. visibilis "that may be seen," from visus, pp. of videre "to see" (see vision).

Visigoth --- 1647, from L.L. Visigothus (pl. Visigothi), perhaps "West Goths" (cf. O.H.G. westan "from the west"), as opposed to Ostrogothi, but according to some authorities, Visi/Vesi appears to be a Latinized form of a tribal name.

vision --- c.1290, "something seen in the imagination or in the supernatural," from Anglo-Fr. visioun, O.Fr. vision, from L. visionem (nom. visio) "act of seeing, sight, thing seen," from pp. stem of videre "to see," from PIE base *weid- "to know, to see" (cf. Skt. veda "I know;" Avestan vaeda "I know;" Gk. oida, Doric woida "I know," idein "to see;" O.Ir. fis "vision," find "white," i.e. "clearly seen," fiuss "knowledge;" Welsh gwyn, Gaulish vindos, Breton gwenn "white;" Goth., O.Swed., O.E. witan "to know;" Goth. weitan "to see;" Eng. wise, Ger. wissen "to know;" Lith. vysti "to see;" Bulg. vidya "I see;" Pol. widziec "to see," wiedziec "to know;" Rus. videt' "to see," vest' "news," O.Russ. vedat' "to know"). The meaning "sense of sight" is first recorded c.1491. Meaning "statesman-like foresight, political sagacity" is attested from 1926.

visionary (adj.) --- able to see visions, 1651, from vision (q.v.). Meaning "impractical" is attested from 1727. The noun is attested from 1702, from the adj., originally "one who indulges in impractical fantasies."

visit (v.) --- c.1225, "come to (a person) to comfort or benefit," from O.Fr. visiter, from L. visitare "to go to see, come to inspect," frequentative of visere "behold, visit" (a person or place), from pp. stem of videre "to see, notice, observe" (see vision). Originally of the deity, later of pastors and doctors (c.1300), general sense of "pay a call" is from 1626. Meaning "come upon, afflict" (in ref. to sickness, punishment, etc.) is recorded from c.1340. The noun is 1621, from the verb. Visitor is attested from 1426; sports sense is from 1900.

visitation --- 1303, "a visit by an ecclesiastical representative to examine the condition of a parish, abbey, etc.," from L. visitationem (see visit). The supernatural sense of "a sight, appearance" is attested from c.1340.

visor --- c.1300, "front part of a helmet," from Anglo-Fr. viser, from O.Fr. visiere, from vis "face" (see visage). Meaning "eyeshade" is recorded from 1925.

vista --- 1644, "a view or prospect," from It. vista "sight, view," noun use of fem. p.p. of vedere "see," from L. videre "to see" (see vision).

Vistavision --- form of wide-screen cinematography, 1954.

visual (adj.) --- 1412, "coming from the eye or sight" (as a beam of light), from L.L. visualis "of sight," from L. visus "sight," from visus, pp. of videre "to see" (see vision). Meaning "relating to vision" is first attested 1603. The noun meaning "photographic film or other visual display" is first recorded 1951. Visualize (1817) is first attested in, and perhaps was coined by, Coleridge.

vital --- c.1386, "of or manifesting life," from L. vitalis "of or belonging to life," from vita "life," related to vivere "to live," from PIE base *gwei- (cf. O.Pers. *jivaka- "alive;" Gk. bios "life," zoon "animal;" Lith. gyvata "(eternal) life;" O.E. cwic, cwicu "living, alive;" O.Ir. bethu "life;" cf. also bio-). The sense of "necessary or important" is from 1619, via the notion of "essential to life" (1482). Vital statistics is attested from 1837, with ref. to birth, marriage, death, etc.; meaning "a woman's bust, waist, and hip measurements" is from 1952. Vitality is from 1592; vitals "organs of the body essential to life" first recorded 1610, from the adj., taken as a noun.

vitamin --- 1920, originally vitamine (1912) coined by Pol. biochemist Casimir Funk (1884-1967), from L. vita "life" (see vital) + amine, because they were thought to contain amino acids. The terminal -e formally was stripped off when scientists learned the true nature of the substance; -in was acceptable because it was used for neutral substances of undefined composition. The lettering system of nomenclature (Vitamin A, B, C, etc.) was introduced at the same time.

vitiate (v.) --- 1534, from L. vitiatus, pp. of vitiare "to make faulty, injure, spoil, corrupt," from vitium "fault, defect, blemish, crime, vice" (see vice (1)).

viticulture --- 1865 (implied in viticultural), "the cultivation of grapes," from L. vitis "vine" (see vise) + culture.

vitreous --- 1646, from L. vitreus "of glass, glassy," from vitreum "glass," which perhaps was so called for its color (cf. vitrium "woad").

vitrify --- 1594, from M.Fr. vitrifier (16c.), from L. vitrium "glass" (see vitreous) + -ficare, from facere "to make, do" (see factitious).

vitriol --- c.1386, "sulphate of iron," from O.Fr. vitriol (13c.), from M.L. vitriolum "vitriol," from neut. of vitriolus, from L.L. vitreolus "of glass," from L. vitreus "of glass, glassy," from vitrium "glass" (see vitreous). So called from its glassy appearance in certain states. Meaning "bitter or caustic feelings" first attested 1769, in allusion to the corrosive properties of vitriol.

vituperation --- c.1449 (implied in vituperable), but rare before early 19c., from L. vituperationem (nom. vituperatio) "blame, censuring," from vituperatus, pp. of vituperare "disparage," from vitiperos "having faults," from vitium "fault, defect" (see vice (1)) + parare "prepare, provide, procure" (see pare). Vituperatio was stronger than either L. reprehensio or Mod.Eng. vituperation.

Vitus --- from Svanto-vit, name of a Slavic god worshipped with ecstatic dances on the Baltic island of Rügen, transferred by Christian missionaries to Saint Vitus. The It. form of the name is Guido.

viva --- 1644, from It. viva "(long) live, may he (or she) live," third person singular present subjunctive of vivere "to live," from L. vivere "to live." Probably reborrowed (1836) from Sp. viva, from vivir "to live," from L. vivere (see vital). Sometimes also in L. form vivat (1663).

vivacity --- 1432, from L. vivacitatem (nom. vivacitas) "vital force, liveliness," from vivax (gen. vivacis) "lively," also "long-lived," from vivere "to live" (see vital). Vivacious is first recorded c.1645.

viva-voce --- by word of mouth, 1581, from L., lit. "living-voice," abl. of viva vox.

vive (interj.) --- 1594 (in vive le roi), from Fr., lit. "long live ______;" Fr. equivalent of viva (q.v.). Jocular phrase vive la différence in ref. to the difference between men and women is recorded from 1963. Also in vive la bagatelle, lit. "long live nonsense," denoting a carefree attitude to life.

Vivian --- masc. proper name, from L. Vivianus (cf. Fr. Vivien), lit. "living, alive," (see vivid). But Klein says it is "prob. a misreading of the Celtic name Ninian."

vivid --- 1638, from L. vividus "spirited, animated, lively," from vivus "alive," from PIE *gwei- (see vital). Extension to colors is first recorded 1665. Sense of "strong, distinct" (as of memories, etc.) is from 1690; that of "very active or intense" (as of imagination, interest, etc.) is from 1853.

vivify --- 1595, from O.Fr. vivifier (12c.), from L.L. vivificare "make alive, restore to life," from vivificus "enlivening," from L. vivus "alive" (see vivid) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Vivificate in same sense is recorded from 1432.

viviparous --- 1646, from L.L. viviparus "bringing forth alive," from L. vivus "alive, living" + parere "bring forth, bear" (see pare).

vivisection --- dissection of a living animal, 1707, from L. vivus "alive" (see vivid) + (dis)section (see section). Verb vivisect is an 1859 back-formation.

vixen --- O.E. *fyxen (implied in adj. fyxan), fem. of fox (see fox, and cf. M.H.G. vühsinne, Ger. füchsin). Solitary English survival of the Germanic feminine suffix -en, -in (cf. O.E. gyden "goddess;" mynecen "nun," from munuc "monk;" wlyfen "she-wolf"). The fig. sense "ill-tempered woman" is attested from 1575. The spelling shift from -f- to -v- began late 1500s (see V).

viz. --- 1540, abbreviation of videlicet "that is to say, to wit, namely" (1464), from L. videlicet, contraction of videre licet "it is permissible to see," from videre "to see" (see vision) + licet "it is allowed," third person singular present indicative of licere "be allowed." The -z- is not a letter, but originally a twirl, representing the usual M.L. shorthand symbol for the ending -et. "In reading aloud usually rendered by 'namely.' " [OED]

vizier --- 1562, from Turk. vezir "counsellor," from Arabic wazir "viceroy," lit. "one who bears (the burden of office)," lit. "porter, carrier," from wazara "he carried." But Klein says Arabic wazir is from Avestan vicira "arbitrator, judge," and replaced Arabic katib, lit. "writer," in the sense "secretary of state."

Vlach --- member of a Latin-speaking race of the Balkans, a Walachian or Romanian, 1841, from Bulg. vlakh or Serbian vlah, from O.C.S. vlakhu, a Slavic adoptation of Gmc. *walh (cf. O.E. wealh) "foreigner," especially applied to Celts and Latins (see Welsh).

Vladimir --- masc. proper name, from O.C.S. Vladimiru "Ruling Peace," from vlasti "to rule over" (from PIE *wal- "to be strong") + miru "peace" (see Mir).

vocabulary --- 1532, "list of words with explanations," from M.L. vocabularium "a list of words," from L. vocabulum "word, name, noun," from vocare "to name, call" (see voice). Meaning "range of language of a person or group" is first attested 1753.

vocal (adj.) --- c.1395, "spoken, oral," from O.Fr. vocal, from L. vocalis "sounding, sonorous, speaking," as a noun, "a vowel," from vox (gen. vocis) "voice" (see voice). In ref. to music (as opposed to instrumental), first recorded 1586; meaning "outspoken" first attested 1871. The verb vocalize is attested from 1669.

vocation --- 1426, "spiritual calling," from L. vocationem (nom. vocatio), lit. "a calling," from vocatus "called," pp. of vocare "to call" (see voice). Sense of "one's occupation or profession" is first attested 1553.

vocative --- c.1440, "showing the person or thing spoken to," from M.Fr. vocatif (fem. vocative), from L. vocativus (casus) "(case of) calling," from vocatus, pp. of vocare "to call" (see voice). The L. is a translation of Gk. kletike ptosis, from kletikos "related to calling," from kletos "called."