Star definition |Dictionary.com

Related Searches

on Ask.com

stars in the sky

Star

13 dictionary results for: Star

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

star

[stahr] Pronunciation Key, noun, adjective, verb, starred, star·ring.

–noun

1.	any of the heavenly bodies, except the moon, appearing as fixed luminous points in the sky at night.

2.	Astronomy. any of the large, self-luminous, heavenly bodies, as the sun, Polaris, etc.

3.	any heavenly body.

4.	Astrology. a heavenly body, esp. a planet, considered as influencing humankind and events.

5.	a person's destiny, fortune, temperament, etc., regarded as influenced and determined by the stars.

6.	a conventionalized figure usually having five or six points radiating from or disposed about a center.

7.	this figure used as an ornament, award, badge, mark of excellence, etc.: The movie was awarded three stars.

Jewelry.

a.	a gem having the star cut.

b.	the asterism in a crystal or a gemstone, as in a star sapphire.

c.	a crystal or a gemstone having such asterism.

d.	star facet.

9.	Printing. an asterisk.

10.	a person who is celebrated or distinguished in some art, profession, or other field.

11.	a prominent actor, singer, or the like, esp. one who plays the leading role in a performance.

12.	U.S. Military. battle star.

13.

U.S. Navy.

a.	a gold or bronze star worn on the ribbon of a decoration or medal to represent a second or subsequent award of the same decoration or medal.

b.	a silver star worn in place of five gold or bronze stars.

14.	a white spot on the forehead of a horse.

15.	Heraldry. a mullet.

–adjective

16.	celebrated, prominent, or distinguished; preeminent: a star basketball player; a star reporter.

17.	of or pertaining to a star or stars.

–verb (used with object)

18.	to set with or as with stars; spangle.

19.	to feature as a star: an old movie starring Rudolph Valentino.

20.	to mark with a star or asterisk, as for special notice.

–verb (used without object)

21.	to shine as a star; be brilliant or prominent.

22.	(of a performer) to appear as a star: He starred in several productions of Shaw's plays.

—Idioms

23.	make someone see stars, to deal someone a severe blow causing the illusion of brilliant streaks of light before the eyes: The blow on the head made him see stars, and the next thing he knew he was in the hospital.

24.	thank one's lucky stars, to acknowledge one's good fortune; be grateful: Instead of complaining about hospital bills she should thank her lucky stars she's still alive. Also, thank one's stars.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME sterre, OE steorra; c. OHG sterra; akin to OHG sterno, ON stjarna, Goth stairno, L stella, Gk astr, Skt stṛ

]

—Related forms

starless, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

star (stär) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. A self-luminous celestial body consisting of a mass of gas held together by its own gravity in which the energy generated by nuclear reactions in the interior is balanced by the outflow of energy to the surface, and the inward-directed gravitational forces are balanced by the outward-directed gas and radiation pressures.
2. Any of the celestial bodies visible at night from Earth as relatively stationary, usually twinkling points of light.
3. Something regarded as resembling such a celestial body.
4. An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.
5. One who is highly celebrated in a field or profession.
6. An asterisk (*).
7. The star key on a telephone: For customer service, press star.
A graphic design having five or more radiating points, often used as a symbol of rank or merit.
1. An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.
2. One who is highly celebrated in a field or profession.
3. An asterisk (*).
4. The star key on a telephone: For customer service, press star.
1. An asterisk (*).
2. The star key on a telephone: For customer service, press star.
A white spot on the forehead of a horse.
A planet or constellation of the zodiac believed in astrology to influence personal destiny.
stars The future; destiny. Often used with the.

adj.

Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something: a star researcher; a star figure skater.
Of or relating to a star or stars.

v. starred, star·ring, stars

v. tr.

1. To ornament with stars.
2. To award or mark with a star for excellence.
To mark with an asterisk.
To present or feature (a performer) in a leading role.

v. intr.

To play the leading role in a theatrical or film production.
To do an outstanding job; perform excellently.

[Middle English sterre, from Old English steorra; see ster-³ in Indo-European roots.]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
star (n.)

O.E. steorra, from P.Gmc. *sterron, *sternon (cf. O.S. sterro, O.N. stjarna, O.Fris. stera, Du. ster, O.H.G. sterro, Ger. Stern, Goth. stairno), from PIE *ster- (cf. Skt. star-, Hittite shittar, Gk. aster, astron, L. stella, Bret. sterenn, Welsh seren "star"). Astrological sense of "influence of planets and zodiac on human affairs" is recorded from c.1250; star-crossed is from "Romeo and Juliet" (1592). Stars as a ranking of quality for hotels, restaurants, etc. are attested from 1886, originally in Baedecker guides. Brass star as a police badge is recorded from 1859 (New York City). Starlight is c.1374; star-fruit (Damasonium stellatum) is first attested 1857; starfish first attested 1538; star-gazer is from 1560. Starry-eyed "unrealistically optimistic" is attested from 1936 (in "Gone With the Wind"). Starship first attested 1934 (in "Astounding Stories").

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
star (v.)

1824, "perform the lead part" (said of actors, singers, etc.), from star (n.). Sporting sense is from 1916. Starlet in Hollywood sense first recorded 1920.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

star
adjective
1.	indicating the most important performer or role; "the leading man"; "prima ballerina"; "prima donna"; "a star figure skater"; "the starring role"; "a stellar role"; "a stellar performance" [syn: leading]
noun
1.	(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
2.	someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
3.	any celestial body visible (as a point of light) from the Earth at night
4.	an actor who plays a principal role
5.	a plane figure with 5 or more points; often used as an emblem
6.	a performer who receives prominent billing [syn: headliner]
7.	a star-shaped character * used in printing [syn: asterisk]
8.	the topology of a network whose components are connected to a hub [syn: star topology]
verb
1.	feature as the star; "The movie stars Dustin Hoffman as an autistic man"
2.	be the star in a performance
3.	mark with an asterisk; "Linguists star unacceptable sentences"

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

star

In addition to the idiom beginning with star, also see born under a lucky star; see stars; thank one's lucky stars.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

star (stär) Pronunciation Key

A large, spherical celestial body consisting of a mass of gas that is hot enough to sustain nuclear fusion and thus produce radiant energy. Stars begin their life cycle as clouds of gas and dust called nebulae and develop, through gravitation and accretion, into increasingly hot and dense protostars. In order to reach the temperature at which nuclear reactions are ignited (about 5 million degrees K), a protostar must have at least 80 times the mass of Jupiter. For most of its life a star fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, during which period it is known as a dwarf star and is classed according to its surface temperature and luminosity (or spectral type) on a continuum called the main sequence in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. When a star exhausts the hydrogen in its core, it typically develops into one of several non-main-sequence forms depending on how massive it is. Smaller stars, with masses less than eight times that of the Sun, become red giants and end their lives, after blowing away their outer layers, as white dwarfs. More massive stars become supergiants and end their lives, after exploding in a supernova, as either a neutron star or ablack hole.
Any of the celestial bodies visible to the naked eye at night as fixed, usually twinkling points of light, including binary and multiple star systems.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
star

An object in the sky that sends out its own light, generated by nuclear reactions in its center. There are many billions of stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way.

Note: Our own sun is a medium-sized star.

Note: Each star has a definite lifetime and dies when it uses up its supply of fuel. (See black hole, neutron star, supernova, and white dwarf.)

Note: All chemical elements heavier than helium are created in the center of stars and are returned to space when the star dies.

Note: New stars are forming constantly.

[Chapter:] Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Star Junction, PA Zip code(s): 15482

Star Lake, NY (CDP, FIPS 70849) Location: 44.16017 N, 75.03754 W
Population (1990): 1092 (580 housing units)
Area: 11.5 sq km (land), 1.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 13690

Star City, WV (town, FIPS 76516) Location: 39.65936 N, 79.98659 W
Population (1990): 1251 (685 housing units)
Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 26505

Star City, IN Zip code(s): 46985

Star City, AR (city, FIPS 66440) Location: 33.94097 N, 91.84436 W
Population (1990): 2138 (863 housing units)
Area: 8.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 71667

Star Prairie, WI (village, FIPS 76825) Location: 45.19831 N, 92.53179 W
Population (1990): 507 (201 housing units)
Area: 5.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 54026

Star Tannery, VA Zip code(s): 22654

Star Harbor, TX (town, FIPS 70076) Location: 32.19375 N, 96.05574 W
Population (1990): 368 (228 housing units)
Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)

Star, ID Zip code(s): 83669

Star, NC (town, FIPS 64580) Location: 35.40046 N, 79.78422 W
Population (1990): 775 (318 housing units)
Area: 2.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 27356

Star, TX Zip code(s): 76880

Union Star, KY Zip code(s): 40171

Union Star, MO (town, FIPS 75130) Location: 39.97944 N, 94.59805 W
Population (1990): 432 (193 housing units)
Area: 0.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 64494

Silver Star, MT Zip code(s): 59751

Rising Star, TX (town, FIPS 62252) Location: 32.09732 N, 98.96573 W
Population (1990): 859 (526 housing units)
Area: 4.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 76471

Lone Star, TX (city, FIPS 43684) Location: 32.93740 N, 94.70851 W
Population (1990): 1615 (739 housing units)
Area: 5.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 75668

Lone Star, SC Zip code(s): 29077

North Star, OH (village, FIPS 57064) Location: 40.32394 N, 84.56799 W
Population (1990): 246 (84 housing units)
Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Lone Star, LA (CDP, FIPS 45267) Location: 29.92005 N, 90.34052 W
Population (1990): 1367 (483 housing units)
Area: 3.7 sq km (land), 0.4 sq km (water)

Fairbanks North Star, AK (Borough, FIPS 90) Location: 64.84632 N, 146.64339 W
Population (1990): 77720 (31823 housing units)
Area: 19068.7 sq km (land), 210.4 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Star

As"ter\ ([a^]s"t[~e]r), n. [L. aster aster, star, Gr. 'asth`r star. See Star.]

1. (Bot.) A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy.

2. (Floriculture) A plant of the genus Callistephus. Many varieties (called China asters, German asters, etc.) are cultivated for their handsome compound flowers.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Star

As"tral\, a. [L. astralis, fr. astrum star, Gr. ?: cf. F. astral. See Star.] Pertaining to, coming from, or resembling, the stars; starry; starlike.

Shines only with an astral luster. --I. Taylor.

Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer. --Dryden.

Astral lamp, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow is cast upon the table by the flattened ring-shaped reservoir in which the oil is contained.

Astral spirits, spirits formerly supposed to live in the heavenly bodies or the a["e]rial regions, and represented in the Middle Ages as fallen angels, spirits of the dead, or spirits originating in fire.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Star

As*trol"o*gy\ ([a^]s*tr[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. 'astrologi`a, fr. 'astrolo`gos astronomer, astrologer; 'asth`r star + lo`gos discourse, le`gein to speak. See Star.] In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

Note: Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT