n. [ Also fitch; OE. ficche, feche, for veche, OF. veche, vecce, vesche, vesce, F. vesce, fr. L. vicia. ] (Bot.) Any leguminous plant of the genus Vicia, some species of which are valuable for fodder. The common species is Vicia sativa. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is also applied to many other leguminous plants of different genera; as the chichling vetch, of the genus Lathyrus; the horse vetch, of the genus Hippocrepis; the kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria); the milk vetch, of the genus Astragalus; the licorice vetch, or wild licorice (Abrus precatorius). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Vetch + -ling. ] (Bot.) Any small leguminous plant of the genus Lathyrus, especially Lathyrus Nissolia. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Consisting of vetches or of pea straw. “A vetchy bed.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Abounding with vetches. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. veteranus, from vetus, veteris, old; akin to Gr. 'e`tos year, Skr. vatsara. See Wether. ] Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced; as, a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill. [ 1913 Webster ]

The insinuating eloquence and delicate flattery of veteran diplomatists and courtiers. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

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n. [ L. veteranus (sc. miles): cf. F. vétéran. ] One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has had much experience, or has grown old or decrepit in service. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ensigns that pierced the foe's remotest lines,
The hardy veteran with tears resigns. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States, during the civil war, soldiers who had served through one term of enlistment and had reenlisted were specifically designated veterans. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To reenlist for service as a soldier. [ U. S. ] Gen. W. T. Sherman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. veterinarius. See Veterinary. ] One skilled in the treatment of diseases of cattle or domestic animals; a veterinary surgeon. Often abbreviated to vet. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

a. [ L. veterinarius of or belonging to beasts of burden and draught, fr. veterinus, probably originally, of or pertaining to yearlings: cf. F. vétérinaire. See Veteran, Wether. ] Of or pertaining to the art of healing or treating the diseases of domestic animals, as oxen, horses, sheep, various pets, etc.; as, a veterinary writer or school. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) An East Indian grass (Andropogon muricatus); also, its fragrant roots which are much used for making mats and screens. Also called kuskus, and khuskhus. [ Sometimes written vetivert, and vitivert. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Vetoes [ L. veto I forbid. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An authoritative prohibition or negative; a forbidding; an interdiction. [ 1913 Webster ]

This contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

(a) A power or right possessed by one department of government to forbid or prohibit the carrying out of projects attempted by another department; especially, in a constitutional government, a power vested in the chief executive to prevent the enactment of measures passed by the legislature. Such a power may be absolute, as in the case of the Tribunes of the People in ancient Rome, or limited, as in the case of the President of the United States. Called also the veto power. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) The exercise of such authority; an act of prohibition or prevention; as, a veto is probable if the bill passes. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) A document or message communicating the reasons of the executive for not officially approving a proposed law; -- called also veto message. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Veto is not a term employed in the Federal Constitution, but seems to be of popular use only. Abbott. [ 1913 Webster ]