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DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

282 / 291
noun / adjective

vestal

VESS-tul/vˈɛstʌl/

Relating to the virgin priestesses of Vesta.

A vestal solemnly tends the sacred hearth flame in ancient Rome.

An ancient Roman Vestal priestess solemnly tends a sacred hearth flame, illustrating devotion to sacred service rather than attempting to depict chastity as a visible trait.
Etymology
vestLatingoddess of hearth and home
+alLatinof, relating to

Vesta’s priestesses tended her sacred fire and were known as Vestal virgins. A word meaning “dedicated to Vesta” thus came to describe chastity and purity more generally.

In context

The Lost Archive1:52
He marries a Vestal Virgin, a woman legally sworn to celibacy punishable by being buried alive because he thinks it makes for good theology.
Every Ancient Ruler Worse Than Caligula, Explained

More examples

  • The vestals served Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth.
  • Guarding the sacred fire was a central vestal duty.
  • The museum displays a statue of a vestal.

Forms

vestal · vestals

Similar words

priestess
Refers to any female priest, not specifically one serving Vesta.