Ves"ta (?), n. [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.]
1. Rom. Myth.
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. Astron.
An asteroid, or minor planet, discovered by Olbers in 1807.
3.
A wax friction match.
Simmonds.
© Webster 1913.