(esp formerly) a match for lighting cigars; fusee
another name for vesuvianite
First recorded in 1665–75; Vesuvi(us) + -an
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One of the more remarkable findings was the product of pure scholarship: Mr. Goddio remembered a fresco he’d seen unearthed in Herculaneum, the city buried along with Pompeii by the Vesuvian eruption of A.D.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025
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 ● Jul. 18, 2023
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 Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2021
Open runner-up went Vesuvian on his more youthful peers who struggled during the third round when freshening winds and firm greens made a few holes exceedingly difficult.
From Golf Digest ● Jun. 28, 2018
Suffice it to say that one day Miles and his father had a Vesuvian meeting on the subject of the army.
From Blue Lights Hot Work in the Soudan by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)
The Duke's vesuvian was sputtering in the spray and wind, and he got a good light before he answered.
From Doctor Claudius, A True Story by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)
In this position he took out a cigar, lighted it with a vesuvian, and, regardless of the increased motion imparted to him at his greater elevation, he began to smoke.
From Doctor Claudius, A True Story by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)
"Favor me with an answer," replied the attorney, with admirable sang-froid, as he drew from his pocket a cigar-case, and, taking therefrom a cigar, proceeded to light it with a patent vesuvian.
From Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue by Ashton, Warren T.
Pratt started, flushed angrily, and brushed the vesuvian from his coat, but not until it had burned there a round black spot.
From Thereby Hangs a Tale Volume One by Fenn, George Manville
“Some few of them are sensible, though,” went on the latter, flaring up a vesuvian to light his pipe.
From 'Tween Snow and Fire A Tale of the Last Kafir War by Mitford, Bertram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
