vernacle

2 definitions found

vernacle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vernacle \Ver"na*cle\, n.
     See Veronica, 1. [Obs.]
     [1913 Webster]

  Veronica \Ve*ron"i*ca\, n. [LL.; -- so called from Veronica, a
     woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying
     the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an
     impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr.
     Beroni`kh, fr. Macedonian Bereni`kh, for Gr. Fereni`kh,
     literally, carrying off victory, victorious.]
     1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on
        the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at
        Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any
        similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly
        called also Vernacle, and Vernicle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) A genus of scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell.
        See Speedwell.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe
           and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A
           few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes
           found in cultivation.
           [1913 Webster]