veronica

n. [ LL.; -- so called from Veronica, a woman who, according to an old legend, as Christ was carrying the cross, wiped his face with a cloth, which received an impression of his countenance; Veronica is fr. MGr. Beroni`kh, fr. Macedonian Bereni`kh, for Gr. Fereni`kh, literally, carrying off victory, victorious. ] 1. A portrait or representation of the face of our Savior on the alleged handkerchief of Saint Veronica, preserved at Rome; hence, a representation of this portrait, or any similar representation of the face of the Savior. Formerly called also Vernacle, and Vernicle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A genus of scrophulariaceous plants; the speedwell. See Speedwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Several herbaceous species are common in both Europe and America, most of which have small blue flowers. A few shrubby species from New Zealand are sometimes found in cultivation. [ 1913 Webster ]