vetch /ve tʃ/ (vetches ) N‑VAR Vetch is a wild plant. Some types of vetch are sometimes grown as a crop.
vet|er|an ◆◇◇ /ve tərən/ (veterans )
1 N‑COUNT A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially during a war. □ [+ of ] The charity was formed in 1919 to care for veterans of the First World War.
2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] You use veteran to refer to someone who has been involved in a particular activity for a long time. □ …the veteran Labour MP and former Cabinet minister. COLLOCATIONS veteran NOUN
1
noun + veteran : army, combat, navy, war
adjective + veteran : wounded; retired
2
noun + veteran : industry; comedy, screen, showbiz, theatre
adjective + veteran : grizzled, seasoned
Ve t|er|ans Day N‑UNCOUNT In the United States, Veterans Day is November 11, when people honour those who have served or are serving in the armed forces.
vet|eri|nar|ian /ve tər I neə riən/ (veterinarians ) N‑COUNT A veterinarian is a person who is qualified to treat sick or injured animals. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use vet
vet|eri|nary /ve tərənəri, [AM ] -neri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Veterinary is used to describe the work of a person whose job is to treat sick or injured animals, or to describe the medical treatment of animals. □ It was decided that our veterinary screening of horses at events should be continued.
ve t|eri|nary sur|geon (veterinary surgeons ) N‑COUNT A veterinary surgeon is someone who is qualified to treat sick or injured animals. [BRIT , FORMAL ] in AM, usually use veterinarian
veto /viː toʊ/ (vetoes , vetoing , vetoed )
1 VERB If someone in authority vetoes something, they forbid it, or stop it being put into action. □ [V n] The Treasury vetoed any economic aid. ● N‑COUNT Veto is also a noun. □ The veto was a calculated political risk.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Veto is the right that someone in authority has to forbid something. □ …the President's power of veto.
vex /ve ks/ (vexes , vexing , vexed )
1 VERB If someone or something vexes you, they make you feel annoyed, puzzled, and frustrated. □ [V n] It vexed me to think of others gossiping behind my back. ● vexed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ Exporters, farmers and industrialists alike are vexed and blame the government. ● vex|ing ADJ □ There remains, however, another and more vexing problem.
2 → see also vexed
vexa|tion /vekse I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Vexation is a feeling of being annoyed, puzzled, and frustrated. [FORMAL ] □ He kicked the broken machine in vexation.
vexed /ve kst/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A vexed problem or question is very difficult and causes people a lot of trouble. □ Ministers have begun work on the vexed issue of economic union. □ …the vexed question of whether it was acceptable for players to be paid for their performances.
2 → see also vex
VHF /viː e I tʃ e f/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] VHF is used to refer to a range of frequencies that is often used for transmitting radio broadcasts in stereo. VHF is an abbreviation for 'very high frequency'.
via ◆◇◇ /va I ə, viː ə/
1 PREP If you go somewhere via a particular place, you go through that place on the way to your destination. □ Mr Baker will return home via Britain and France.
2 PREP If you do something via a particular means or person, you do it by making use of that means or person. □ Translators can now work from home, via electronic mail systems. SYNONYMS via PREP
1
through: The main path continues through a tunnel of trees.
by: Daddy called and asked me to drop by his office.
2
by means of: This is a two-year course taught by means of lectures and seminars.
through: The thought of someone suffering through a mistake of mine makes me shiver.
by: The all-female yacht crew made history by becoming the first to sail round the world.
vi|able /va I əb ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is viable is capable of doing what it is intended to do. □ They struggled initially to make the business viable. □ …commercially viable products. ● vi|abil|ity /va I əb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the shaky financial viability of the nuclear industry.
2 ADJ Foetuses, seeds, or eggs are described as viable if they are capable of developing into living beings without outside help. [TECHNICAL ] □ Five viable pregnancies were established.
via|duct /va I ədʌkt/ (viaducts ) N‑COUNT A viaduct is a long, high bridge that carries a road or a railway across a valley.
Vi|ag|ra /va I æ grə/ N‑UNCOUNT Viagra is a drug that is given to men with certain sexual problems in order to help them to have sexual intercourse. [TRADEMARK ]
vial /va I əl/ (vials ) N‑COUNT A vial is a very small bottle which is used to hold something such as perfume or medicine. [FORMAL ]
vibe /va I b/ (vibes ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Vibes are the good or bad atmosphere that you sense with a person or in a place. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] Sorry, Chris, but I have bad vibes about this guy.
vi|brant /va I brənt/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is vibrant is full of life, energy, and enthusiasm. □ Tom felt himself being drawn towards her vibrant personality. □ Orlando itself is vibrant, full of affordable accommodation and great places to eat. ● vi|bran|cy /va I brənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT □ She was a woman with extraordinary vibrancy and extraordinary knowledge.