a. [ Cf. F. Vésuvien, It. Vesuviano. ] Of or pertaining to Vesuvius, a volcano near Naples. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ G. vesuvian. See Vesuvian, a. ] 1. (Min.) Vesuvianite. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A kind of match or fusee for lighting cigars, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Min.) A mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals, and also massive, of a brown to green color, rarely sulphur yellow and blue. It is a silicate of alumina and lime with some iron magnesia, and is common at Vesuvius. Also called idocrase. [ 1913 Webster ]