Vestan n.

a native or inhabitant of the asteroid Vesta

Demonyms

  • 1942 E. Hamilton World with a Thousand Moons in Amazing Stories Dec. 69/2 page image Edmond Hamilton bibliography

    ‘I accept your proposition, Mr. Kenniston!’ Gloria declared. ‘We’ll start for Vesta just as soon as you can get the equipment you’ll need loaded on the Sunsprite.’ ‘Gloria, you’re being too hasty,’ protested Hugh Murdock. ‘I’ve heard of this world with a Thousand Moons. There’re stories of queer, unhuman creatures they call Vestans, who infest that asteroid. The danger—’

  • 1942 E. Hamilton World with a Thousand Moons in Amazing Stories Dec. 83/2 page image Edmond Hamilton bibliography

    ‘Bray is beyond saving now,’ Kenniston said. ‘The Vestan parasite will control his body till he dies. The Vestans always like to attach themselves to human beings—they know that a man’s body is more versatile in its capabilities than an animal’s.’

  • 1980 S. Webb Variation on Theme from Beethoven in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine Feb. i. 148 page image Sharon Webb bibliography

    I knew Vestans weren’t so intelligent, but you’re proof that they’re stupid.

  • 2004 S. Shwartz Hostile Takeover xi. 111 page image Susan Shwartz bibliography

    Ten years after the First Ship settlers had moved from Outside, they’d begun to cut the true apsedras that now housed most of the colony half a mile high deep within Vesta. Expansion was still going on, the plaque said. Excisions, the ‘nice’ word for controlled explosions, were regularly scheduled for delta shift, and all Vestans were drilled (CC moaned inwardly at the pun) in how to fasten down their belongings and what to do in case of an emergency.

  • 2019 P. Barton Midway on Waves in Analog Science Fiction & Fact May–June 117/2 Phoebe Barton bibliography

    ‘All right, what the hell is going on?’ Naomi said, forcing her way through the crowd. Despite the spidery exo that supported the Vestan’s weight in Titan’s relatively crushing gravity, two and a quarter meters gave her a privileged perspective. The Vestan shriveled under her gaze like a leaf left to dry.


Research requirements

antedating 1942

Earliest cite

Edmond Hamilton, in Amazing Stories

Research History
Suggested, and most cites submitted, by Ben Ostrowsky.

Last modified 2022-03-10 15:26:26
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.