Vetch
(Vetch) n. [Also fitch; OE. ficche, feche, for veche, OF. veche, vecce, vesche, vesce, F.
vesce, fr. L. vicia.] (Bot.) Any leguminous plant of the genus Vicia, some species of which are valuable
for fodder. The common species is V. sativa.
The name is also applied to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of
the genus Lathyrus; the horse vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis; the kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria); the
milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice (Abrus precatorius).
Vetchling
(Vetch"ling) n. [Vetch + - ling.] (Bot.) Any small leguminous plant of the genus Lathyrus,
especially L. Nissolia.
Vetchy
(Vetch"y) a.
1. Consisting of vetches or of pea straw. "A vetchy bed." Spenser.
2. Abounding with vetches.
Veteran
(Vet"er*an) a. [L. veteranus, from vetus, veteris, old; akin to Gr. year, Skr. vatsara. See
Wether.] Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced
or experienced; as, a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill.
The insinuating eloquence and delicate flattery of veteran diplomatists and courtiers.
Macaulay.
Veteran
(Vet"er*an) n. [L. veteranus (sc. miles): cf. F. vétéran.] One who has been long exercised in
any service or art, particularly in war; one who has had.
Ensigns that pierced the foe's remotest lines,
The hardy veteran with tears resigns.
Addison. In the United States, during the civil war, soldiers who had served through one term of enlistment and
had reënlisted were specifically designated veterans.
Veteranize
(Vet"er*an*ize) v. i. To reënlist for service as a soldier. [U. S.] Gen. W. T. Sherman.
Veterinarian
(Vet`er*i*na"ri*an) n. [L. veterinarius. See Veterinary.] One skilled in the diseases of
cattle or domestic animals; a veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary
(Vet"er*i*na*ry) a. [L. veterinarius of or belonging to beasts of burden an draught, fr. veterinus,
probably originally, of or pertaining to yearlings: cf. F. vétérinaire. See Veteran, Wether.] Of or pertaining
to the art of healing or treating the diseases of domestic animals, as oxen, horses, sheep, etc.; as, a
veterinary writer or school.
Vetiver
(Vet"i*ver) n. (Bot.) An East Indian grass (Andropogon muricatus); also, its fragrant roots which
are much used for making mats and screens. Also called kuskus, and khuskhus. [Sometimes written
vetivert, and vitivert.]
Veto
(Ve"to) n.; pl. Vetoes [L. veto I forbid.]
1. An authoritative prohibition or negative; a forbidding; an interdiction.
This contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family.
G. Eliot. 2. Specifically: —
(a) A power or right possessed by one department of government to forbid or prohibit the carrying out of
projects attempted by another department; especially, in a constitutional government, a power vested in
the chief executive to prevent the enactment of measures passed by the legislature. Such a power may
