Vesta
[ ves-tuh ]
/ ˈvɛs tə /
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noun
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.
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Origin of Vesta
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin; possibly akin to Greek Hestía; possibly derivative of Latin ūrere “to burn”
Words nearby Vesta
vespine, Vespucci, vessel, vessel element, vest, Vesta, vestal, vestal virgin, vestal virgins, Vestavia Hills, vested
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for Vesta
British Dictionary definitions for Vesta (1 of 3)
vesta
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
noun
a short friction match, usually of wood
Word Origin for vesta
C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta 1
British Dictionary definitions for Vesta (2 of 3)
Vesta1
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
noun
the Roman goddess of the hearth and its fire. In her temple a perpetual flame was tended by the vestal virginsGreek counterpart: Hestia
British Dictionary definitions for Vesta (3 of 3)
Vesta2
/ (ˈvɛstə) /
noun
the brightest of the four largest asteroids. Diameter: about 530 km (240 miles)
Word Origin for Vesta
C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for Vesta
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
Vesta
[Greek name Hestia]
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.