Word Study
asterioidea |
asterion |
asteriscus |
asterisk |
asterisked |
asterism
| asterismal
| astern
| asternal
| asteroid
| asteroid belt
asterism
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun asterism has 2 senses
- asterism(n = noun.shape) Array - (mineralogy) a star-shaped figure with six rays that is seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light; Array is a kind of star
- asterism(n = noun.object) Array - (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation); Array is a kind of natural object
has particulars: big dipper, charles's wain, dipper, plough, wagon, wain, dipper, little dipper
is a member of constellation
Derived form adjective asterismal1
CIDE DICTIONARY
asterism, n. [Gr. , fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F. astérisme.].
- A constellation. [1913 Webster]
- An asterisk, or mark of reference. [1913 Webster]
- An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
asterism, n.
1 a cluster of stars.
2 a group of three asterisks calling attention to following text.
1 a cluster of stars.
2 a group of three asterisks calling attention to following text.
Etymology
Gk asterismos (as ASTER, -ISM)
For further exploring for "asterism" in Webster Dictionary Online
