Ves″ta (vĕs″tȧ), n. [L. Vesta, akin to Gr. Εστἵα Vesta, εστἵα 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.