Vesta

[ ves-tuh ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth, worshiped in a temple containing an altar on which a sacred fire was kept burning by the vestal virgins: identified with the Greek Hestia.
2. Astronomy. the second largest and by far the brightest asteroid in our solar system, discovered in 1807 and located in the asteroid belt. Ceres ( def 2 ), Hygieia ( def 2 ), Pallas ( def 2 ).
3. (lowercase) British. a short friction match with a wood or wax shank.
4. a female given name.

Vesta

¹

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. the Roman goddess of the hearth and its fire. In her temple a perpetual flame was tended by the vestal virgins Greek counterpartHestia

vesta

²

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. a short friction match, usually of wood

Vesta

³

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. the brightest of the four largest asteroids. Diameter: about 530 km (240 miles)

Vesta

/ vĕs′tə /

1. The brightest of all the asteroids and the fourth to be discovered, in 1807. It is the third largest, with a diameter of about 530 km (329 mi), and the only asteroid that can be seen without a telescope. Evidence of lava flows on its surface suggests that it once had a molten interior.
2. See more at asteroid

Vesta

1. The Roman and Greek goddess of the hearth and home. Roman and Greek cities were supposed to have a public hearth dedicated to Vesta, at which the fire was kept constantly burning.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vesta¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin; possibly akin to Greek Hestía; possibly derivative of Latin ūrere “to burn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vesta¹

C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta ¹

Origin of Vesta²

C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta ¹

Example Sentences

On the planet Vesta, there are plenty of crystals to treasure.

From The Daily Beast

Vesta was, of course, worshipped at the hearth by the women, who most often used it in the preparation of the domestic meals.

From Project Gutenberg

In Rome the temple of Vesta is the king's hearth, situated, as one would expect, in close proximity to the regia.

From Project Gutenberg

The two men there could see the dark outline of his anxious face as he lighted a vesta to aid him in seeing what was going on.

From Project Gutenberg

Hestia (Roman Vesta) presided over the private hearths and homesteads of the Greeks, and imparted to them a sacred character.

From Project Gutenberg

And looking back on that wreck of a room, I reflected how congenial Jaffery must have found his surroundings on board the Vesta.

From Project Gutenberg