▪ I. † vasa1 Obs.
[Chiefly in the plural forms vasa's, vasas, f. L. vāsa pl. (see prec. 2); hence irregularly vasa as sing.]
A vase.
| 1651 Evelyn Char. Eng. (1659) 36 One of their Spurs engaged in a Carpet.., drew all to the ground, break the Glass & the Vasas in pieces. 1698 M. Lister Journ. Paris 188 Here also were great Vasa's of Trelliage upon Pedestals. 1699 Evelyn Acetaria Pref. b 1/b, Busts, Obelisks, Columns, Inscriptions, Dials, Vasa's, Perspectives. a 1700 ― Diary 14 Nov. 1643, A vasa of onyx. Ibid. 29 Nov. 1644, An antiq vasa of marble neare 6 foote high. |
▪ II. vasa2
(ˈveɪsə, ˈveɪzə)
Also vaza.
[Malagasy vaza.]
One or other of several Madagascar parrots belonging to the genus Coracopsis. Usu. attrib.
| 1811 Shaw Gen. Zool. VIII. 528 Vasa Parrot. Ibid. 529 Smaller Vasa Parrot. Ibid., The Smaller Vasa measures about fourteen inches in length. 1904 Times 30 Jan. 10/2 The collection of foreign birds,..among others of..macaws, a black vasa parrot, and a hoopoe. |