I. ˈvərjə̇n, ˈvə̄j-, ˈvəij- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French virgine, from Latin virgin-, virgo young woman, maiden, virgin, perhaps from virga green branch, twig — more at whisk
1.
a. : an unmarried or chaste woman noted in the early Christian Church for her piety and steadfast service to her faith and accorded by virtue of these qualities a special place among the members of the Christian community
b. : an unmarried woman devoted to a deity in a celibate life of service within a religious temple
the Inca virgins of the Sun
2.
a. : a usually young woman noted for purity and chastity
b. : a young unmarried woman
3. : a person who has not had sexual intercourse
4. usually capitalized : virgo
5. : a picture of a madonna
6. : a female animal that has never copulated
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from virgin (I)
1. : free of impurity or stain : not defiled : unsullied
all their branches laden with soft … virgin snow — Willa Cather
2. : being a virgin : chaste
3. : made up of virgins
watched his graceful maid as mid the virgin train she strayed — R.W.Emerson
4. : of, relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a virgin : indicating modesty : modest
was permitted no greater magnificence than a Greek robe of virgin white — Elinor Wylie
5.
a. : not yet disturbed or made use of : fresh , new , unspoiled , untapped
a virgin wilderness of jagged mountains, deep ravines, and swift watercourses — American Guide Series: Oregon
: not altered by human activity : free from artificial alteration
a virgin forest
virgin unplowed turf
b. : not previously treated or handled : not reclaimed or reworked: as
(1) : of or relating to chemical wood pulp that has not previously been used
(2) : never treated with dyes or bleaches
virgin hair
6.
a.
(1) : being made use of for the first time
observed that the candles were not virgin : both had been burned — Elizabeth Bowen
(2) : processed or worked for the first time — see virgin wool
b. : initial , first
liked the idea of guiding my virgin steps on the hard road of letters — W.S.Maugham
7.
a. of a chemical element : occurring naturally uncombined : native
virgin sulfur
b. of a vegetable oil : obtained from the first light pressing especially of olives or walnuts in the cold
8. : produced directly from ore or by primary smelting — used of metal to distinguish it from scrap or from metal obtained by remelting used material
9. : never captured : unsubdued — usually used of a fortress
10. : as yet without contact
the second team, virgin to harness — Owen Wister
absolutely virgin towards such experience — Walter Pater
Synonyms: see youthful
III. noun
: a person who is inexperienced in a usually specified sphere of activity
a virgin in politics