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stars

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star

[stahr] ,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.
8. 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.
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


starless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stars
star   (stär)   
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.

  1. 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.

  2. A white spot on the forehead of a horse.

  3. A planet or constellation of the zodiac believed in astrology to influence personal destiny.

  4. stars The future; destiny. Often used with the.

adj.  
  1. Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something: a star researcher; a star figure skater.

  2. 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.

  1. To mark with an asterisk.

  2. To present or feature (a performer) in a leading role.

v.   intr.
  1. To play the leading role in a theatrical or film production.

  2. To do an outstanding job; perform excellently.


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

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

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").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Bible Dictionary

Stars

The eleven stars (Gen. 37:9); the seven (Amos 5:8); wandering (Jude 1:13); seen in the east at the birth of Christ, probably some luminous meteors miraculously formed for this specific purpose (Matt. 2:2-10); stars worshipped (Deut. 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3; Jer. 19:13); spoken of symbolically (Num. 24:17; Rev. 1:16, 20; 12:1). (See ASTROLOGERS.)

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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