Word
virgil
Phoneticsvir·gil
/ˈvɝdʒəɫ/
Definition
n. a guide who helps you through a difficult or scary situation. This name comes from a famous ancient poet who led a character through the afterlife in a famous story.
n. a guide who provides direction through a complex or dangerous environment. Derived from the Roman poet who serves as a guide in Dante's 'Divine Comedy'.
Examples
“The experienced hiker acted as a Virgil for the group.”
“In the confusing world of high finance, she needed a Virgil to help her navigate the risks.”
“The veteran journalist served as a Virgil for the young reporter, leading him through the ethical minefields and political traps of the capital's most secretive institutions.”
Examples
simple
“The experienced hiker acted as a Virgil for the group.”
contextual
“In the confusing world of high finance, she needed a Virgil to help her navigate the risks.”
complex
“The veteran journalist served as a Virgil for the young reporter, leading him through the ethical minefields and political traps of the capital's most secretive institutions.”
Usage
Often used as a common noun to describe a guide, though it originates from a proper name.
Etymology
From Middle English Vyrgyle, from Latin Virgilius, from the Roman clan name Vergilius, from Etruscan and of unknown meaning.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/virgil