1796. D'Arblay, Camilla, v. vi. She vapours me but to look at her.
1809. Irving, Knickerbocker, 355. All these valourous vapourings had a considerable effect.
1819. Crabbe, Tales of the Hall [Works, vii. 63]. Nor to be fretful, vapourish, or give way To spleen and anger as the wealthy may.
1886. D. Teleg., 7 Ap. Despite the vapouring of the Minister of War.
1888. D. Teleg., 7 Feb. He vapoured considerably.
Vardo, subs. (Old Cant).—A
waggon. Vardo-gill = a waggoner
(Grose).
Verb (streets and circus).—To look, see, observe: e.g. vardo the carsey = look at the house.
Vardy, subs. (common).—An
opinion: e.g. 'That's my vardy
on the matter' = That's what I
think. [A corruption of verdict.']
Varlet, subs. (old colloquial).—A
generic reproach: a rogue,
scoundrel, low fellow. Whence
varletry = the mob, rabble,
crowd (B. E.). [Properly = a
page, groom, or serving-man.]
1549. Latimer, Serm. Bef. Edward VI., iii. Was not this a seditious varlet, to tell them this to their beards.
1608. Shakspeare, Antony and Cleop., v. 2. 56. The shouting varletry of censuring Rome.
c. 1620. Fletcher, Women Pleas'd, ii. 4. 'There's money for thee: thou art a precious varlet, Be fat, be fat, and blow thy master backward.'
1610. Jonson, Alchemist, ii. 1. Ananias . . . the varlet That cozened the apostles!
1778. Sheridan, Rivals, iv. 2. Well, I am glad you are not the dull, insensible varlet you pretended to be.
1840. Browning, Sordello, vi. Gay swarms of varletry that come and go.
Varmint, subs. (common).—Anything
troublesome or mischievous:
also a half-jocular endearment to
a child: e.g. 'You young varmint'
[that is, vermin].
1826. Cooper, Last of the Mohicans, viii. Uncas, we have need of all our we'pons to bring the cunning varment from his roost.
1863. Gaskell, Sylvia's Lovers, i. All regarded in the light of mean kidnappers and spies—varment as the common people esteemed them.
2. (hunting).—A fox.
1888. Field, 4 Feb. Decided the hound in question to go for the varmint he had found.
Adj. (University).—Spruce, natty, good-all-round.
1823. Gradus ad Cantab. A varmint man spurns a scholarship, would consider it a degradation to be a fellow.
1827. Alma Mater. . . . The handsome man, my friend and pupil, was naturally enough a bit of a swell, or varmint man.
Varmint-man, subs. phr. (University).—A
hack or ghost
(q.v.): 'one who, like Jemmy
Gordon, wrote themes for idle
undergrads': see Varmint, adj.
Varnisher, subs. (thieves').—One
who utters base money, a snide-pitcher
(q.v.).
Varsal, adj. (old colloquial).—Universal:
frequently as an intensive.
1710. Swift, Pol. Conv., ii. I believe there is not such another in the varsal world.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Clinker, i. 125. Here was flying without any broom-sticks or thing in the varsal world.
[?]. Scott [Century]. Every varsal soul in the library were gone to bed.
