ASTERISM • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Asterism

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

noun

Asterism n.

(Astron.)

(a)

A constellation. (Obs.)

(b)

A small cluster of stars.

(Printing)

(a)

An asterisk, or mark of reference. (R.)

(b)

Three asterisks to direct attention to a particular passage.

(Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

See images of 'Asterism'

Etymology of 'Asterism'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Asterism" Quotes from Famous Books

... asterisk, asterism; pentalpha; pentacle; meteor. Associated Words: astronomy, astronomer, astronomical, astrolatry, astrolater, astrogeny, astrology, astrologer, astrological, astrometry, astromancy, sidereal, astral, horoscope, constellation, zodiac, observatory, ...

— Putnam's Word Book • Louis A. Flemming

... in the stars, the alternate combining and scattering effects of the stellar motions are shown by comparing the appearance which the constellation must have had five hundred centuries ago with that which it has at present and that which it will have in the future. The seven principle stars of the asterism, forming a surprisingly perfect coronet, have movements in three directions at right angles to one another. That in these circumstances they should ever have arrived at positions giving them so striking an appearance of definite association is certainly ...

— Curiosities of the Sky • Garrett Serviss

Words linked to "Asterism" : Charles's Wain, asterismal, big dipper, Little Dipper, wagon, plough, mineralogy