Vesta
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.
Astronomy. the second largest and by far the brightest asteroid in our solar system, discovered in 1807 and located in the asteroid belt. : See also Ceres (def. 2), Hygieia (def. 2), Pallas (def. 2).
(lowercase)British. a short friction match with a wood or wax shank.
a female given name.
Origin of Vesta
1Words Nearby Vesta
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Vesta in a sentence
On the planet Vesta, there are plenty of crystals to treasure.
Space Bling: From Diamond Planets to Crystal Oceans to Precious Moon Jewels | Alexa Valiente, Jaewon Kang | October 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTVesta was, of course, worshipped at the hearth by the women, who most often used it in the preparation of the domestic meals.
The Religion of Ancient Rome | Cyril BaileyIn Rome the temple of Vesta is the king's hearth, situated, as one would expect, in close proximity to the regia.
The Religion of Ancient Rome | Cyril BaileyThe 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.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteHestia (Roman Vesta) presided over the private hearths and homesteads of the Greeks, and imparted to them a sacred character.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John Lord
And looking back on that wreck of a room, I reflected how congenial Jaffery must have found his surroundings on board the Vesta.
Jaffery | William J. Locke
British Dictionary definitions for vesta (1 of 3)
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
a short friction match, usually of wood
Origin of vesta
1British Dictionary definitions for Vesta (2 of 3)
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
the Roman goddess of the hearth and its fire. In her temple a perpetual flame was tended by the vestal virgins: Greek counterpart: Hestia
British Dictionary definitions for Vesta (3 of 3)
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
the brightest of the four largest asteroids. Diameter: about 530 km (240 miles)
Origin of Vesta
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for Vesta
[ vĕs′tə ]
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. See more at asteroid.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for Vesta
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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