n.
Pronunciation: ' v ē -g ə n also ' v ā - also ' ve-j ə n or - ˌ jan
Function: noun
Etymology: by contraction from vegetarian
Date: 1944
: a strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products also : one who abstains from using animal products (as leather)
– vegan adjective
– veg · an · ism \ ' v ē -g ə - ˌ ni-z ə m, ' v ā -g ə -, ' ve-j ə - \ noun