Vesta

Vesta, often identified (but not to be confused with) the Greek goddess Hestia, was the Roman goddess of the hearth. She was worshiped in a temple with a sacred fire, burning continuously, watched over by vestal virgins.

Also, the third largest and one of the four brightest asteroids.

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Greek and Roman Mythology

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.