Emily Dickinson Lexicon

velocity, n. [Fr. < L. vēlox, swift, rapid.] (webplay: absolute, light).

Movement; swiftness; swiftness of motion.

velvet, adj. [L. vill-us, shaggy hair.] (webplay: close, fine, short, silk, soft).

1. Soft; smooth; brushed; dainty; silky to the touch; delicate like the petals of a flower.
2. Fine; fuzzy; shaggy; nappy.

velvet, n. [see velvet, adj.]

1. Fuzz; nap; shag.
2. Rich soft fabric; [fig.] fluency; eloquence.

vend (-ed), v. [Fr. < L. veděre, to sell.] (webplay: men).

Sell; exchange; trade; barter; offer for purchase.

venerable, adj. [OFr < L. venerārī, see venerate, v.] (webplay: old).

1. Old; ancient; distinguished because of advanced age; [fig.] esteemed; valued; honored; revered.
2. Senior; mature; adult; fledged; more experienced.

venerate, v. [L. venerārī, to reverence, worship, adore.] (webplay: state).

Honor; revere; regard with feelings of respect.

Venetian, proper n. [see Venice.]

Latticed blind; window screen made from thin strips of wood; [fig.] golden one; wealthy person; rich medieval merchant; person wearing fine-twilled velvet cloth with sequins; [metaphor] finely painted masterpiece.

vengeance, n. [OFr < L. vindicāre, vindicate, avenge.] (webplay: came).

Retribution; harm from vindictive motives.

veni, v. [L. 'I came'.]

Phrase. “Veni, vidi, vici!”: I came, I looked, I conquered; Caesar's boast to the Roman senate about his victory in Gaul.

Venice, proper n. [L. Venetia < Illyrian tribe Veneti, white, marsh dwellers.]

Rich trading port; maritime power of northeastern Italy; European city known for female beauty (see ED letters); [possible allusion] Shakespeare's Juliet, who “[hung] upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel” (see Romeo & Juliet 1.5.47).