virginal

1
[ vur-juh-nl ]
/ ˈvɜr dʒə nl /

adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a virgin: virginal purity.
continuing in a state of virginity.
pure; unsullied; untouched: a virginal mountain stream.
Zoology. not fertilized.

Origin of virginal

1
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin virginālis, equivalent to virgin- virgin + -ālis -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM virginal

vir·gin·al·ly, adverb

Definition for virginal (2 of 2)

virginal 2
[ vur-juh-nl ]
/ ˈvɜr dʒə nl /

noun

Often virginals. a rectangular harpsichord with the strings stretched parallel to the keyboard, the earlier types placed on a table: popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Origin of virginal

2
First recorded in 1520–30; apparently special use of virginal1

OTHER WORDS FROM virginal

vir·gin·al·ist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for virginal

British Dictionary definitions for virginal (1 of 2)

virginal 1
/ (ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, characterized by, proper to, or maintaining a state of virginity; chaste
extremely pure or fresh; untouched; undefiled

Derived forms of virginal

virginally, adverb

Word Origin for virginal

C15: from Latin virginālis maidenly, from virgō virgin

British Dictionary definitions for virginal (2 of 2)

virginal 2
/ (ˈvɜːdʒɪnəl) /

noun

(often plural) a smaller version of the harpsichord, but oblong in shape, having one manual and no pedals

Derived forms of virginal

virginalist, noun

Word Origin for virginal

C16: probably from Latin virginālis virginal 1, perhaps because it was played largely by young ladies