Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VA'RI-OUS, a. [L. varius. See Vary.]

1. Different; several; manifold; as, men of various names and various occupations.
2. Changeable; uncertain; unfixed. The names of mixed modes … are very various and doubtful . – Locke.
3. Unlike each other; diverse. – Dryden. So many and so various laws are giv'n. – Milton.
4. Variegated; diversified. – Milton.

VA'RI-OUS-LY, adv.

In different ways; with change; with diversity; as, objects variously represented; flowers variously colored. The human system is variously affected by different medicines.

VA'RIX, n. [L.]

An uneven dilatation of a vein.

VAR'LET, n. [Old Fr. See Valet.]

1. Anciently, a servant or footman. – Tusser.
2. A scoundrel; a rascal; an impudent varlet. – Addison.

VAR'LET-RY, n.

The rabble; the crowd. [Not in use.] – Shak.

VAR'NISH, n. [Fr. vernis; Sp. barniz; Port. verniz; It. vernice; Low L. vernix; G. firniss; D. vernis.]

1. A thick, viscid, glossy liquid, laid on work by painters and others, to give it a smooth hard surface and a beautiful gloss. Varnishes are made of different materials and for different purposes. Amber varnish is made of amber, lint seed oil, litharge and turpentine. Black varnish, far japanning wood and leather, is made by mixing lampblack with a proper quantity of a strong solution of lac in spirit of wine . – Cyc.
2. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct.

VAR'NISH, v.t. [Fr. vernisser, vernir.]

1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid, for giving any thing a glossy surface; as, to varnish a sideboard or table.
2. To cover with something that gives a fair external appearance. Close ambition, varnish'd o'er with zeal. – Milton.
3. To give a fair external appearance in words; to give fair coloring to; as, to vanish errors or deformity. Cato's voice was ne'er employ'd / To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes. – Addison. And bow the knee to pomp that loves to varnish guilt. – Byron.

VAR'NISH-ED, pp.

1. Covered with varnish; made glossy.
2. Rendered fair in external appearance.

VAR'NISH-ER, n.

1. One who varnishes, or whose occupation is to varnish.
2. One who disguises or palliates; one who gives a fair external appearance . – Pope.

VAR'NISH-ING, ppr.

Laying on varnish; giving a fair external appearance.

VAR'NISH-TREE, n.

The popular English name of Rhus vernicifera, a large shrub, or small tree, of Japan, nearly resembling the North American Rhus venenata, or swamp sumac.

VART'A-BEDS, n.

An order of ecclesiastics in the Armenian church. They differ from the priests by living in seclusion and in celibacy. They also preach, while the priests do not. The bishops are all taken from the order of Vartabeds, and are ordained by them. – Coleman.

VAR'VELS, or VER'VELS, n. [Fr. vervel.]

Silver rings about the legs of a hawk, on which the owner's name is engraved. – Dict.

VA'RY, n.

Alteration; change. [Not in use.] – Shak.

VA'RY, v.i.

1. To alter or be altered in any manner; to suffer a partial change. Colors often vary when held in different positions. Customs vary from one age to another, until they are entirely changed.
2. To be changeable; to alter; as, the varying hues of the clouds; the varying plumage of a dove.
3. To differ or be different; to be unlike. The laws of different countries vary. The laws of France vary from those of England.
4. To be changed; to become different. The man varies in his opinions; his opinions vary with the times.
5. To become unlike one's self; to alter. He varies from himself no less. – Pope.
6. To deviate; to depart; as, to vary from the law; to vary from the rules of justice or reason. – Locke.
7. To alter or change in succession. While fear and anger, with alternate grace, / Pant in her breast, and vary in her face. – Addison.
8. To disagree; to be at variance; as, men vary in opinion.

VA'RY, v.t. [L. vario, Fr. varier; Sp. variar; It. variare; probably allied to Eng. veer, Sp. birar, L. verto, Eth. በረየ bari, whence አስተባረየ, to alternate. See Class Br, No. 11, and No. 23.]

1. To alter in form, appearance, substance or position; to make different by a partial change; as, to vary a thing in dimensions; to vary its properties, proportions or nature; to vary the posture or attitude of a thing; to vary one's dress.
2. To change to something else. Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate. – Waller. We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies. – Dryden.
3. To make of different kinds. God hath varied the inclinations of men, according to the variety of actions to be performed. – Browne.
4. To diversify; to variegate. God hath here / Varied his bounty so with new delights. – Milton.

VA'RY-ING, ppr.

Altering; changing; deviating.

VAS'CU-LAR, a. [L. vasculum, a vessel, from vas, id.]

1. Pertaining to the vessels of animal or vegetable bodies; as, the vascular functions.
2. Full of vessels; consisting of animal or vegetable vessels, as arteries, veins, lacteals and the like; as, the vascular system. Animal flesh is all vascular, none of it parenchymous . – Cyc.

VAS'CU-LAR-ES, n. [plur.]

Plants which have stamens, pistils and spiral vessels, and bear proper flowers. – Lindley.

VAS-CU-LAR'I-TY, n.

The state of being vascular. – Med. Repos.

VAS-CU-LIF'ER-OUS, a. [L. vasculum and fero, to bear.]

Vasculiferous plants, are such as have seed-vessels divided into cells . – Cyc.

VASE, n. [Fr. from L. vas, vasa, a vessel; It. vaso.]

1. A vessel for domestic use, or for use in temples; as, vase for sacrifice, an urn, &c.
2. An ancient vessel dug out of the ground or from rubbish and kept as a curiosity.
3. In architecture, an ornament of sculpture, placed on socles or pedestals, representing the vessels of the ancients, as incense-pots, flower-pots, &c. They usually crown or finish façades or frontispieces.
4. The body of the Corinthian and Composite capital; called also the tambor or drum.
5. Among florists, the calyx of a plant. – Cyc.
6. Among goldsmiths, the middle of a church candlestick. – Cyc.
7. A solid piece of ornamental marble. – Johnson.

VAS'SAL, n. [Fr. vassal; It. vassallo; Sp. vasallo; W. gwâs, boy or youth, a page, a servant; gwasâu, to serve.]

1. A feudatory; a tenant; one who holds land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him. A rear vassal is one who holds of a lord who is himself a vassal.
2. A subject; a dependant. – Hooker.
3. A servant. – Shak.
4. In common language, a bondman; a political slave. We will never be the vassals of a foreign prince.

VAS'SAL, v.t.

To subject to control; to enslave.

VAS'SAL-AGE, n. [Fr. vasselage; Sp. vasalage.]

1. The state of being a vassal or feudatory.
2. Political servitude; dependence; subjection; slavery. The Greeks were long held in vassalage by the Turks.