Asterisk Definition
ăstə-rĭsk
asterisks
noun
asterisks
A star-shaped figure (*) used chiefly to indicate an omission, a reference to a footnote, or an unattested word, sound, or affix.
American Heritage
A starlike sign (*) used in printing to indicate footnote references, omissions, etc.
Webster's New World
A symbol used to indicate multiplication, as in 2 * 3 = 6.
American Heritage
Symbol (*).
Wiktionary
(sports, US) A blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement.
They came into the tournament highly ranked, but with a little bit of an asterisk as their last two wins had been unconvincing.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
asterisks
To mark with an asterisk.
American Heritage
To mark with this sign.
Webster's New World
To mark with an asterisk symbol (*)
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Origin of Asterisk
-
From Late Latin asteriscus, from Ancient Greek ἀστερίσκος (asteriskos, “a little star, asterisk, used in manuscripts to mark passages”), diminutive of ἀστήρ (aster, “a star”).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English from Late Latin asteriscus from Greek asteriskos diminutive of astēr star ster-3 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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