Asterisk

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• asterisc

Origin

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").

Full definition of asterisk

Noun

1. Symbol (*).
2. (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.
3. (biology) Alternate of Asteriscus.

Verb

1. To mark with an asterisk symbol (*)

Related terms

• aster
• asterism
• asteroid

Anagrams

• sarkiest, skaiters