asterisk
Use Asterisk in a sentence
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tə noun
1.
a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.
2.
Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark utterance that would be considered ungrammatical or otherwise unacceptable by native speakers of a language, as in * I enjoy to ski.
3.
Historical Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark a hypothetical or reconstructed form that is not attested in a text or inscription.
4.
something in the shape of a star or asterisk.
verb (used with object)
5.
to mark with an asterisk.
00:10
Asterisk
is always a great word to know.
So is intimate borrowing. Does it mean:
| a word made by putting together parts of other words; motel, brunch, guesstimate |
| the borrowing of linguistic forms by one language or dialect from another when both occupy a single geographical or cultural community |
Pronunciation note
While asterisk is usually said as [as-tuh-risk] with the final syllable preceding the [k] a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the [s] and [k] change places producing [as-tuh-riks]. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of [as-tuh-riks] as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular [as-tuh-rik]. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation with no [s] in the final syllable.
While asterisk is usually said as
[as-tuh-risk] with the final syllable preceding the [k] a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the [s] and [k] change places producing [as-tuh-riks]. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of [as-tuh-riks] as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular [as-tuh-rik]. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation with no [s] in the final syllable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To asterisk
Collins
World English Dictionary
asterisk (ˈæstərɪsk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc |
| 2. | a. (in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form |
| b. (in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable | |
| —vb | |
| 3. | (tr) to mark with an asterisk |
| [C17: from Late Latin asteriscus a small star, from Greek asteriskos, from astēr star] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
asterisk
late 14c., from L.L. asteriscus, from Gk. asterikos "little star," dim. of aster "star" (see astro-). The meaning "figure used in printing and writing to indicate footnote, omission, etc." first recorded 1610s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
asterisk definition
character"*" ASCII code 42. Common names include: star; INTERCAL: splat; ITU-T: asterisk. Rare: wild card; gear; dingle; mult; spider; aster; times; twinkle; glob; Nathan Hale.
Commonly used as the multiplication operator and as the Kleene star. Often doubled, as in "x**2", to mean "to the power". In C and related languages, asterisk is used as the dereference operator, "*p" meaning "the thing pointed to by p".
(2006-09-10)
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