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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.

Of or pertaining to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth; hence, pure; chaste.

A group of butterflies including those known as virgins, or gossamer-winged butterflies.

The Zoroastrian scriptures. See Zend-Avesta.

Of or pertaining to the Avesta or the language of the Avesta. - -n.

The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date.

Dwelling in cloisters; solitary. "Cloistered friars and vestal nuns." Hudibras. In cloistered state let selfish sages dwell, Proud that their heart is narrow as their cell. Shenstone.

; -- often used reflexively; as, he perjured himself. Want will perjure The ne'er-touched vestal. Shak.

o Carriage porch, under Carriage, and Loggia. The graceless Helen in the porch I spied Of Vesta's temple. Dryden.

A work in the Persian tongue, being a summary of the Zend- Avesta, or sacred books.

ich were found near the beginning of the century, and are called Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.

, the translation and exposition in the Huzvâresh, or literary Pehlevi, language, of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian sacred writings; as commonly used, the language (an ancient Persian dialect) in which the Avesta is written.