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-aster

1
  1. a diminutive or pejorative suffix denoting something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing:

    criticaster; poetaster, oleaster.



-aster

2
  1. Chiefly Biology. a combining form with the meaning “star,” used in the formation of compound words:

    diaster.

aster

3

[ as-ter ]

noun

  1. any composite plant of the genus Aster, having rays varying from white or pink to blue around a yellow disk.
  2. a plant of some allied genus, as the China aster.
  3. Cell Biology. a structure formed in a cell during mitosis, composed of astral rays radiating about the centrosome.
  4. Furniture. sunflower ( def 2 ).

aster

1

/ ˈæstə /

noun

  1. any plant of the genus Aster, having white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites) Compare golden aster
  2. China aster
    China aster a related Chinese plant, Callistephus chinensis, widely cultivated for its showy brightly coloured flowers
  3. cytology a group of radiating microtubules that surrounds the centrosome before and during mitosis


-aster

2

suffix forming nouns

  1. a person or thing that is inferior or bears only a poor resemblance to what is specified

    poetaster

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Word History and Origins

Origin of -aster1

From Latin

Origin of -aster2

< Greek astḗr star; astro-

Origin of -aster3

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin, from Greek astḗr “star”; star

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Word History and Origins

Origin of -aster1

C18: from New Latin, from Latin aster star, from Greek

Origin of -aster2

from Latin: suffix indicating imperfect resemblance

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Example Sentences

The next moment, plump into Tilly's lap, fell a huge pink aster.

Be on the lookout for black beetle on Aster and Chrysanthemum.

Iron-weed, which looks like an overgrown aster, has the same intense purple-blue color, and a royal profusion of flowers.

The China Aster has been for years a great favorite in both old-fashioned and modern gardens.

This answer made Aster so angry that he went over to the enemy and enlisted in their ranks.

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petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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step in the right direction, aasteraceous