veronica 1
/veuh ron"i keuh/ , n. ( sometimes cap. ) Eccles.
1. the image of the face of Christ, said in legend to have been miraculously impressed on the handkerchief or veil that St. Veronica gave to Him to wipe His face on the way to Calvary.
2. the handkerchief or veil itself.
3. Also called sudarium . any handkerchief, veil, or cloth bearing a representation of the face of Christ. Also called vernicle .
[ 1690-1700; veronica, alleged to be an alter. of vera iconica true image (see VERY, ICON), subsequently also taken as the name of the woman who gave Christ the cloth ]
veronica 2
/veuh ron"i keuh/ , n.
any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and clusters of small flowers, as the speedwell.
[ 1520-30; 1 or St. Veronica (but cf. MGk bereníkion plant name, equiv. to Bereník ( e ) proper name + -ion dim. suffix) ]
veronica 3
/veuh ron"i keuh/ , n.
(in bullfighting) a pass in which the matador keeps his feet and legs absolutely still while slowly swinging the open cape away from the charging bull.
[ 1925-30; verónica prob. lit., VERONICA 1 ]