n.
- a herbaceous plant of north temperate regions, typically with upright stems bearing narrow pointed leaves and spikes of blue or purple flowers.
[Genus Veronica: many species, including the speedwells.]
- a cloth supposedly impressed with an image of Christ's face.
- the movement of a matador's cape away from a charging bull.
Etymology
C16: from med. L., from the given name Veronica; sense 2 with ref. to St Veronica, who offered her headcloth to Christ on the way to Calvary, to wipe his face.