Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

vbVb is a written abbreviation for verb .

VC /viː siː / (VCs )

1 N‑COUNT The VC is a medal awarded to soldiers, sailors, and airmen in Britain and the Commonwealth for acts of great bravery in battle. VC is an abbreviation for 'Victoria Cross'. ● N‑COUNT A VC is a soldier who has been awarded a Victoria Cross. □  Aren't you the boy whose father was a VC in the war?

2VC is a written abbreviation for vice-chancellor .

VCR /viː siː ɑː ^r / (VCRs ) N‑COUNT A VCR is a machine that was used in the past to record television programmes or films onto videotape, so that people could play them back and watch them later on a television set. VCR is an abbreviation for 'video cassette recorder'.

VD /viː diː / N‑UNCOUNT VD is used to refer to diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhoea which are passed on by sexual intercourse. VD is an abbreviation for 'venereal disease'.

VDT /viː diː tiː / (VDTs ) N‑COUNT A VDT is the same as a VDU . VDT is an abbreviation for 'visual display terminal'. [mainly AM ]

VDU /viː diː juː / (VDUs ) N‑COUNT A VDU is a machine with a screen which is used to display information from a computer. VDU is an abbreviation for 'visual display unit'. [BRIT ] in AM, use VDT

-'ve /- ^ə v/ 've is the usual spoken form of 'have', especially when 'have' is an auxiliary verb. It is added to the end of the pronoun which is the subject of the verb. For example, 'you have' can be shortened to 'you've'.

veal /viː l/ N‑UNCOUNT Veal is meat from a calf.

vec|tor /ve ktə ^r / (vectors )

1 N‑COUNT A vector is a variable quantity, such as force, that has size and direction. [TECHNICAL ]

2 N‑COUNT A vector is an insect or other organism that causes a disease by carrying a germ or parasite from one person or animal to another. [MEDICAL ]

veep /viː p/ (veeps ) N‑COUNT A veep is a vice-president, especially the vice-president of the United States. [AM , INFORMAL ]

veer /v I ə ^r / (veers , veering , veered )

1 VERB If something veers in a certain direction, it suddenly moves in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] The plane veered off the runway and careered through the perimeter fence.

2 VERB If someone or something veers in a certain direction, they change their position or direction in a particular situation. □ [V prep/adv] He is unlikely to veer from his boss's strongly held views.

veg /ve dʒ/ (veg ) N‑VAR Veg are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat. Veg is an abbreviation for 'vegetables'. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □  …fruit and veg. in AM, usually use veggies

ve|gan /viː gən/ (vegans ) ADJ Someone who is vegan never eats meat or any animal products such as milk, butter, or cheese. □  The menu changes weekly and usually includes a vegan option. ● N‑COUNT A vegan is someone who is vegan.

veg|eburg|er /ve dʒibɜː ^r gə ^r / (vegeburgers ) also veggieburger N‑COUNT Vegeburgers are flat round cakes of food made from vegetables mixed with flour and flavourings. You grill or fry them.

veg|eta|ble ◆◇◇ /ve dʒtəb ^ə l/ (vegetables )

1 N‑COUNT Vegetables are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat. □  A good general diet should include plenty of fresh vegetables. □  …vegetable soup.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Vegetable matter comes from plants. [FORMAL ] □  …compounds, of animal, vegetable or mineral origin. COLLOCATIONS vegetable NOUN 1

noun + vegetable : root, salad, stir-fry; spring, winter

adjective + vegetable : green, leafy, mixed, seasonal; fresh, frozen, organic; pickled, roasted, steamed

vegetable+ be + adjective : soft, tender

verb + vegetable : grow, plant; chop, eat, cook, wash

veg|etar|ian /ve dʒ I teə riən/ (vegetarians )

1 ADJ Someone who is vegetarian never eats meat or fish. □  Yasmin sticks to a strict vegetarian diet. ● N‑COUNT A vegetarian is someone who is vegetarian. □  …a special menu for vegetarians.

2 ADJ Vegetarian food does not contain any meat or fish. □  …vegetarian lasagnes.

veg|etari|an|ism /ve dʒ I teə riən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone practises vegetarianism , they never eat meat or fish.