What does asterisk mean?

Definitions for asterisk
ˈæs tə rɪsk; -rɪsk; ˈæs tə rɪks; ˈæs tə rɪkas·ter·isk

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word asterisk.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. asterisk, starverb

    a star-shaped character * used in printing

  2. star, asteriskverb

    mark with an asterisk

    "Linguists star unacceptable sentences"

Wiktionary

  1. asterisknoun

    Symbol (*).

  2. asterisknoun

    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.

  3. asterisknoun

    Alternate of Asteriscus.

  4. asteriskverb

    To mark with an asterisk symbol (*)

  5. Etymology: From asteriscus, from ἀστερίσκος, diminutive of ἀστήρ.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Asterisknoun

    A mark in printing or writing, in form of a little star; as *.

    Etymology: ἀστέϱίσϰος.

    He also published the translation of the Septuagint by itself, having first compared it with the Hebrew, and noted by asterisks what was defective, and by obelisks what was redundant. Nehemiah Grew, Cosmol. Sacra, b. iv.

Wikipedia

  1. Asterisk

    An asterisk (*); from Late Latin asteriscus, from Ancient Greek ἀστερίσκος, asteriskos, "little star", is a typographical symbol or glyph. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often vocalize it as star (as, for example, in the A* search algorithm or C*-algebra). In English, an asterisk is usually five-pointed in sans-serif typefaces, six-pointed in serif typefaces, and six- or eight-pointed when handwritten. It is often used to censor offensive words, and on the Internet, to indicate a correction to a previous message. In computer science, the asterisk is commonly used as a wildcard character, or to denote pointers, repetition, or multiplication.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Asterisknoun

    the figure of a star, thus, /, used in printing and writing as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, to supply the omission of letters or words, or to mark a word or phrase as having a special character

  2. Etymology: [L. asteriscus, Gr. , dim. of 'asth`r star. See Aster.]

Wikidata

  1. Asterisk

    An asterisk is a typographical symbol or glyph. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often pronounce it as star, or, more informally, splat. In English, an asterisk is usually five-pointed in sans-serif typefaces, six-pointed in serif typefaces, and six- or eight-pointed when handwritten. It can be used to censor swear words and vulgar or objectionable text. The asterisk is derived from the need of the printers of family trees in feudal times for a symbol to indicate date of birth. The original shape was seven-armed, each arm like a teardrop shooting from the center. In computer science, the asterisk is commonly used as a wildcard character, or to denote pointers, repetition, or multiplication.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Asterisk

    as′tėr-isk, n. a star, used in printing as a reference to a note at the bottom or on the margin of the page, and sometimes as a mark of the omission of words, thus *.—n. As′terism, a group or collection of small stars: a constellation: three asterisks placed to direct attention to a passage: a property of some minerals which show a star-shaped luminous figure when viewed by reflected light—e.g. the asteriated sapphire. [Gr. asteriskos, dim. of aster, a star.]

Matched Categories

Anagrams for asterisk »

  1. sarkiest

  2. skaiters

How to pronounce asterisk?

How to say asterisk in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of asterisk in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of asterisk in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of asterisk in a Sentence

  1. Debra Katz:

    In the aftermath of these hearings, I believe that Christines testimony brought about more good than the harm misogynist Republicans caused by allowing Kavanaugh on Supreme Court, he will always have an asterisk next to his name. When he takes a scalpel to Roe v. Wade, we will know who he is, we know his character, and we know what motivates him, and that is important.

  2. White House spokesman Josh Earnest:

    Governor Christie’s comments in this regard have been particularly irresponsible, though not surprising for somebody whose poll numbers are closer to an asterisk than they are double digits. Clearly this is part of the strategy to turn that around.

  3. Chuck Todd:

    It sounds like you’re trying to put an asterisk on the 2020 election which only feeds this conspiracy nonsense that is wrecking this country, why did we have what we had here a year ago was this conspiratorial nonsense that leads people to the idea that there was something to this. There was nothing to this.

  4. Jeff Bock:

    Unless it has massive legs, any opening under $50 million is not a triumph, it's still an asterisk. The next two weeks will tell the tale.

  5. Thomas Robertson:

    Left are just mad because we actually attacked the government who is the problem … The right IN ONE DAY took the f(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk) U.S. Capitol. Keep poking us.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

asterisk#10000#10433#100000

Translations for asterisk

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"asterisk." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/asterisk>.

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