Vesuvius
[vuh-soo-vee-uh s]
- Mount, an active volcano in SW Italy, near Naples. Its eruption destroyed the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum a.d. 79. About 3900 feet (1190 meters).
Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for vesuvius
Historical Examples
So for three centuries people have watched Vesuvius at work.
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, MycenaeJennie Hall
It is a greater mountain than Vesuvius and has done more work than she has done.
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, MycenaeJennie Hall
There was a pleasant farmhouse out of town on the slope of Vesuvius.
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, MycenaeJennie Hall
Nowadays men know from history what may happen when Vesuvius wakes.
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, MycenaeJennie Hall
Vesuvius, with its column of smoke, was in plain view from the seats.
Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, MycenaeJennie Hall
Vesuvius
- a volcano in SW Italy, on the Bay of Naples: first recorded eruption in 79 ad, which destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae; numerous eruptions since then. Average height: 1220 m (4003 ft)Italian name: Vesuvio (veˈzuːvjo)
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for vesuvius
Vesuvius
volcano near Naples, of unknown origin; perhaps from Celtic root *ves- "mountain" or Oscan fesf "smoke, steam."
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper