Vesuvian

[ vuh-soo-vee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling Mount Vesuvius; volcanic.

noun

1. (lowercase) a type of match formerly used for lighting cigars; fusee.

vesuvian

/ vɪˈsuːvɪən /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a match for lighting cigars; fusee
2. another name for vesuvianite

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vesuvian¹

First recorded in 1665–75; Vesuvi(us) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vesuvian¹

C18 (the mineral), C19 (the match): both named after Vesuvius

Example Sentences

Now, the diggers are progressively pulling away the volcanic ash and pea-sized stones, known as lapilli that smothered Pompeii during the two catastrophic days of the Vesuvian eruption.

From BBC

Though it falls into a fairly common category of images of food called “xenia” — offerings for guests — it is not like most of the roughly 300 examples that have been found in Vesuvian cities.

From New York Times

It is believed to have been looted from Herculaneum, a settlement buried in the Vesuvian eruption of 79 A.D., and decades ago was tracked by investigators to the apartment of Michael H. Steinhardt, a prominent New York venture capitalist and a major ancient art collector.

From New York Times

“The study is exciting because it shows that DNA is preserved from the towns buried by the Vesuvian eruption despite high temperatures,” said David Reich, a Harvard geneticist, who was not involved in the research.

From New York Times

The scientists behind the September study possibly hinting at life in the Vesuvian clouds based their findings on the presence of the toxic gas phosphine.

From Washington Post