| Vat | n. [ A dialectic form for fat, OE. fat, AS. fæt; akin to D. vat, OS. fat, G. fass, OHG. faz, Icel. & Sw. fat, Dan. fad, Lith. půdas a pot, and probably to G. fassen to seize, to contain, OHG. fazzōn, D. vatten. Cf. Fat a vat. ] [ 1913 Webster ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for holding liquors in an immature state, chemical preparations for dyeing, or for tanning, or for tanning leather, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ] Let him produce his vats and tubs, in opposition to heaps of arms and standards. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A measure for liquids, and also a dry measure; especially, a liquid measure in Belgium and Holland, corresponding to the hectoliter of the metric system, which contains 22.01 imperial gallons, or 26.4 standard gallons in the United States. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The old Dutch grain vat averaged 0.762 Winchester bushel. The old London coal vat contained 9 bushels. The solid-measurement vat of Amsterdam contains 40 cubic feet; the wine vat, 241.57 imperial gallons, and the vat for olive oil, 225.45 imperial gallons. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Metal.) (a) A wooden tub for washing ores and mineral substances in. (b) A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining furnace, where tin ore is laid to dry. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (R. C. Ch.) A vessel for holding holy water. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Vatican | n. [ L. Vaticanus, mons, or collis, Vaticanus, the Vatican hill, in Rome, on the western bank of the Tiber: cf. F. Vatican, It. Vaticano. ] A magnificent assemblage of buildings at Rome, near the church of St. Peter, including the pope's palace, a museum, a library, a famous chapel, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The word is often used to indicate the papal authority. [ 1913 Webster ]
Thunders of the Vatican, the anathemas, or denunciations, of the pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
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