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vestal

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
vestal (vĕs`təl), in Roman religion, priestess of Vesta. The vestals were first two, then four, then six in number. While still little girls, they were chosen from prominent Roman families to serve for 30 (originally 5) years, during which time they could not marry. Their duties included the preparation of sacrifices and the tending of the sacred fire. If any vestal broke her vow of chastity, she was entombed alive. The vestals had great influence in the Roman state.
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He would not say whether or not she had attached herself to the sound Low Church School of his father; but she would probably be open to conviction on that point; she was a regular church-goer of simple faith; honest-hearted, receptive, intelligent, graceful to a degree, chaste as a vestal, and, in personal appearance, exceptionally beautiful.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman by Hardy, Thomas View in context
Love should be the vestal fire of some mighty temple--some vast dim fane whose organ music is the rolling of the spheres.
Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome, Jerome K. View in context
What had been the counter or "bar" of the saloon, gorgeous in white and gold, now sawn in two and divided, was set up on opposite sides of the room as separate dressing-tables, decorated with huge bunches of azaleas, that hid the rough earthenware bowls, and gave each table the appearance of a vestal altar.
Devil's Ford by Harte, Bret View in context
 
 
 
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