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asterism

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as⋅ter⋅ism

  [as-tuh-riz-uhm]
Use asterism in a Sentence
–noun
1. Astronomy.
a. a group of stars.
b. a constellation.
2. Mineralogy. a property of some crystallized minerals of showing a starlike luminous figure in transmitted light or, in a cabochon-cut stone, by reflected light.
3. three asterisks ( or ) printed to draw attention to a passage it precedes.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Gk asterism(ós) a marking with stars. See asterisk, -ism

Related forms:
as⋅ter⋅is⋅mal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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as·ter·ism   (ās'tə-rĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. Printing Three asterisks in a triangular formation used to call attention to a following passage.

  2. Astronomy A cluster of stars smaller than a constellation.

  3. Mineralogy A six-rayed starlike figure optically produced in some crystal structures by reflected or transmitted light.


[Greek asterismos, constellation, from astēr, star; see ster-3 in Indo-European roots.]
as'ter·is'mal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

asterism 
1598, from L. aster "star" (see star). Any grouping of stars, whether a constellation or not. The well-known "Big Dipper" is an asterism, not a constellation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
asterism   (ās'tə-rĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
A conspicuous star pattern that is not recognized as a constellation. Asterisms may constitute a part of a larger constellation, as in the case of the seven stars in Ursa Major that make up the Big Dipper, or they may be formed of individual stars in several different constellations, as in the case of the Summer Triangle, made up of Deneb (in Cygnus), Altair (in Aquila), and Vega (in Lyra).
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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