Vierge

Vierge is a French term whose primary meaning is related to virginity. It is an adjective meaning virgin, maiden, or pure, and it derives from Latin virginus. The word can also function as a noun in feminine form, with une vierge used to denote a virgin woman; in religious contexts, la Vierge refers to the Virgin Mary (Vierge Marie) and to other sacred virgins.

In religion and culture, la Vierge is a common designation for Mary in Catholic and Christian contexts. The term appears in liturgy, art, and place names, where it signals sainthood, purity, or maternal protection.

In astronomy and astrology, La Vierge denotes Virgo, the twelfth sign of the zodiac, as well as the corresponding constellation. The term is used in French-language astronomical and astrological writing to identify the sign and its symbolism.

In culinary and industrial usage, vierge appears in expressions describing unrefined or pure products. Most notably, huile vierge or huile d’olive vierge designates olive oil extracted by mechanical means without chemical processing. Extra vierge marks the highest quality of virgin olive oil, indicating superior flavor and minimal processing.

Beyond these uses, vierge can describe things considered unaltered or pristine in a figurative sense, and appears in various compound terms and place names. The word remains common in contemporary French, maintaining its core sense of purity, virginity, and unmodified state.