Vesta

[ves-tuh] /ˈvɛs tə/
noun
1.
the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth, worshiped in a temple containing an altar on which a sacred fire was kept burning by the vestal virgins: identified with the Greek Hestia.
2.
Astronomy. the third largest and one of the four brightest asteroids.
3.
(lowercase) British. a short friction match with a wood or wax shank.
4.
a female given name.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin
British Dictionary definitions for Vesta

vesta

/ˈvɛstə/
noun
1.
a short friction match, usually of wood
Word Origin
C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta1

Vesta1

/ˈvɛstə/
noun
1.
the Roman goddess of the hearth and its fire. In her temple a perpetual flame was tended by the vestal virgins Greek counterpart Hestia

Vesta2

/ˈvɛstə/
noun
1.
the brightest of the four largest asteroids. Diameter: about 530 km (240 miles)
Word Origin
C19: named after the goddess; see Vesta1
Vesta in Science
Vesta
  (věs'tə)   
The brightest of all the asteroids and the fourth to be discovered, in 1807. It is the third largest, with a diameter of about 530 km (329 mi), and the only asteroid that can be seen without a telescope. Evidence of lava flows on its surface suggests that it once had a molten interior. See more at asteroid.
Vesta in Culture
Vesta

[Greek name Hestia]

The Roman and Greek goddess of the hearth and home. Roman and Greek cities were supposed to have a public hearth dedicated to Vesta, at which the fire was kept constantly burning.