# Veronica

/vɝˈɑnɪkə/ (US) · /vəɹˈɒnɪkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/veronica
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a flower

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small plant with tiny flowers, usually blue or purple, that grows in gardens or the wild.

For teachers: any plant of the genus Veronica, typically featuring small, four-petaled blue, purple, or white flowers. Often referred to as speedwell.

- The garden was full of bright blue veronica flowers in the early summer.
- The botanist identified several species of veronica growing along the damp margins of the meadow, noting their characteristic spiked inflorescences.

### 2. bullfighting move

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a move where a bullfighter swings a cape in a circle to avoid the bull.

For teachers: a classic pass in bullfighting where the torero stands still and swings the cape in a slow, circular motion to guide the bull past.

- The crowd cheered as the bullfighter performed a perfect veronica.
- Executing a graceful veronica requires immense composure, as the matador must remain stationary while the bull charges inches from his body.

### 3. religious relic

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a cloth believed to show the face of Jesus.

For teachers: the image of Jesus's face said to have been miraculously impressed upon the veil of Saint Veronica.

- The ancient church claimed to hold the original veronica in its vault.
- Medieval pilgrims travelled great distances to venerate the veronica, believing the cloth possessed miraculous healing powers.

### 4. to move the cape

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to move a cape away from a bull's face during a fight.

For teachers: to perform a veronica pass; to draw the cape over and away from the bull's head.

- He watched the matador veronica the bull with great skill.
- The apprentice struggled to veronica the animal with the necessary fluidity, often jerking the cloth too early.

## Examples

- Veronica grows well in the shady corner.
- She planted a row of veronica along the garden path for its long-lasting blue blooms.
- The delicate spikes of veronica added a soft, textured contrast to the bold geometric shapes of the modern landscaping design.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.