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

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. asterisk, starverb

   a star-shaped character * used in printing

2. star, asteriskverb

   mark with an asterisk

   "Linguists star unacceptable sentences"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

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.]

FreebaseRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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

1. • Mark

Anagrams for asterisk »

1. sarkiest

2. skaiters

How to pronounce asterisk?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. Billie Jean:

   She's going to be a superstar and she already is, but now it's just the beginning, there should be no asterisk, she won fair and square. She was definitely playing better than Serena Williams from the get-go, so this is hers and hers 100 % no matter what was happening with the chaos.

4. Brian Bendis:

   Our message has to be 'it's not Spider-Man with an asterisk; it's the real Spider-Man for kids of color, for adults of color and everybody else,'.

5. 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.

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