What does asterism mean?

Definitions for asterism
ˈæs təˌrɪz əmas·ter·ism

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

Princeton's WordNet

  1. asterismnoun

    (mineralogy) a star-shaped figure with six rays that is seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light

  2. asterismnoun

    (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation)

Wiktionary

  1. asterismnoun

    A small group of stars that forms a visible pattern but is not an official constellation.

    The Big Dipper, Summer Triangle, and Orion's Belt are asterisms.

  2. asterismnoun

    A rarely used typographical symbol (, three asterisks arranged in a triangle), used to call attention to a passage or to separate sub-chapters in a book.

  3. asterismnoun

    A star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica).

  4. Etymology: From ἀστερισμός, from ἀστήρ.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Asterismnoun

    Etymology: asterismus, Lat.

    Poetry had filled the skies with asterisms, and histories belonging to them; and then astrology devises the feigned virtues and influences of each. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

    Dwell particularly on passages with an asterism *; for the observations which follow such a note, will give you a clear light. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

ChatGPT

  1. asterism

    Asterism is an identifiable pattern of stars that is not officially recognized as a constellation. These patterns are often made up of stars from one or more constellations. Some of the most famous asterisms include the Big Dipper and the Summer Triangle. The term is also used in gemology to refer to the star-like pattern exhibited by some gems when cut and polished.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Asterismnoun

    a constellation

  2. Asterismnoun

    a small cluster of stars

  3. Asterismnoun

    an asterisk, or mark of reference

  4. Asterismnoun

    three asterisks placed in this manner, /, to direct attention to a particular passage

  5. Asterismnoun

    an optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica

  6. Etymology: [Gr. , fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F. astrisme.]

Wikidata

  1. Asterism

    In astronomy, an asterism is a pattern of stars recognized on Earth's night sky. It may form part of an official constellation, or be composed of stars from more than one. Like constellations, asterisms are in most cases composed of stars which, while they are visible in the same general direction, are not physically related, often being at significantly different distances from Earth. The mostly simple shapes and few stars make these patterns easy to identify, and thus particularly useful to those learning to familiarize themselves with the night sky.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. asterism

    Synonymous with constellation, a group of stars.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of asterism in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of asterism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for asterism

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"asterism." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/asterism>.

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