veronica

Word origin

From the Latin form of Berenice, from Ancient Greek Φερενίκη (Phereníkē). Influenced by the Church Latin phrase vera icon ("true image") associated with the veil of Saint Veronica, who wiped the face of Jesus on the way to Calvary, resulting in an image of his face miraculously appearing on the veil. Doublet of Berenice.

Used in a sentence

• “He wiped the lady’s martini glass, having had some trouble with a kind of veronica of lipstick, spat in it viciously, then washed it again.”

• “The cougher makes a lunge. Slothrop sweeps aside, gives him a quick veronica with his cape, sticks his foot out and trips the kid, who lies on the ground cursing”

• “He stepped aside as a fight got going between an attendant and some kid by the Alkool display, hopping backwards in a practised veronica when a bottle broke, fearful for his flares.”

Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0