Contains the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. Birthplace of George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Joined the Confederate States of America in the U.S. Civil War. West Virginia split off at this time to become a new state and remain in the Union. Many Civil War Battles were fought here. Also you can find Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States.
They say that Virginia is for Lovers, but I suspect this is a myth.
A common rendition of the Latin female name Verginia, a name applied to female members of the Roman gens Verginii.
When used to refer to a specific Virginia/Verginia, the reference is to a story told by Livy (3:44-58) and later retold by Petrarch and Chaucer (in The Doctor's Tale).
In this traditional Roman legend, supposedly occurring during the time in Roman history when the decemviri were in session in Rome, working out a code of laws (the Twelve Tables), Verginia was a daughter of L. Verginius, a centurion. One of the decemvirs, Appius Claudius, became infatuated with her. In order to possess her, he had one of his clients claim her as slave - then, judging the case himself, pronounced judgement in favour of his client.
Upon hearing of the false judgement, L. Verginius stabbed his daughter, killing her to save her from indignity. Carrying the bloodstained dagger, he then proceeded to the army camp, where he incited a rebellion which overthrew the decemviri.
A classically Roman tale, this story offers justification for a political reorganisation, couched in terms of redress for an outrageous act of injustice by the overthrown party. History is written by the winners, a fact of which the Romans were ever aware.
Vir*gin"i*a (?), n.
One of the States of the United States of America.
a.
Of or pertaining to the State of Virginia.
Virginia cowslip Bot., the American lungwort (Mertensia Virginica). -- Virginia creeper Bot., a common ornamental North American woody vine (Ampelopsis quinquefolia), climbing extensively by means of tendrils; -- called also woodbine, and American ivy. [U.S.] -- Virginia fence. See Worm fence, under Fence. -- Virginia nightingale Zool., the cardinal bird. See under Cardinal. -- Virginia quail Zool., the bobwhite. -- Virginia reel, an old English contradance; -- so called in the United States. Bartlett. -- Virginia stock. Bot. See Mahon stock.
© Webster 1913.
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