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vesta

1. One of the great divinities of the ancient romans, identical with the greek Hestia. She was a virgin, and the goddess of the hearth; hence, also, of the fire on it, and the family round it.

2. (Science: astronomy) An asteroid, or minor planet, discovered by Olbers in 1807.

3. A wax friction match.

Origin: L. Vesta, akin to Gr. Vesta, the hearth of the house, and perhaps to Skr. Ush to burn (see East), or perhaps to Skr. Vas to dwell, and E. Was.