Vesuvian
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling Mount Vesuvius; volcanic.
Vesuvian
American
[vuh-soo-vee-uhn]
/ vəˈsu vi ən /
adjective
noun
vesuvian
British
/ vɪˈsuːvɪən /
noun
-
(esp formerly) a match for lighting cigars; fusee
-
another name for vesuvianite
Etymology
Origin of Vesuvian
First recorded in 1665–75; Vesuvi(us) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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 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 ● May 26, 2022
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
It is evident that for many hours the Vesuvian crater, which had been dormant for at least five hundred years, blew out with exceeding fury.
From Outlines of the Earth's History A Popular Study in Physiography by Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
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 F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
"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 Warren T. Ashton
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 F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
“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 Bertram Mitford
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 George Manville Fenn
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.
