Vesuvian

American  

[vuh-soo-vee-uhn] / vəˈsu vi ən /

adjective

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

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noun

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

vesuvian British  

/ vɪˈsuːvɪən /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a match for lighting cigars; fusee

2. another name for vesuvianite

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Etymology

Origin of Vesuvian

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

Example Sentences

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

The name anorthite was given to the Vesuvian mineral by G. Rose in 1823, on account of its anorthic crystallization.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various