a. and adv. [f. VIRGIN sb.]
A. adj. Resembling a virgin or that of a virgin; characteristic of or befitting a virgin; maidenlike.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. 432. Oh cursed and furious envie,… seeing by thee man was first beguiled, and induced afterward … to water the earth, being yet virgine-like, with his brothers blood.
a. 1593. Marlowe & Nashe, Dido, III. iii. And here we met faire Venus virgine like, Bearing her bowe and quiuer at her backe.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. v. 520. When I heare them bragge to have so virgin-like a will and colde minde.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., III. ii. 22. Oh damn’d paper,… Art thou a Fœdarie for this Act, and look’st So Virgin-like without?
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. 376. [To] restore unto it again that Virgin-like Attire.
a. 1794. Sir W. Jones, Enchanted Fruit, Wks. 1799, VI. 189. Rich bowls…, Some virgin-like in native pride, And some with strong Haldea dyed.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, iii. She had previously made a respectful virgin-like curtsey to the gentleman.
B. adv. = VIRGINLY adv. rare.
1595. J. Weever, Epigr. (1599), E vj. Chaste Lucretia virgine-like her dresses.
