Star

Pronunciation

• enPR: stär, IPA: /stɑɹ/
• UK IPA: stɑː(ɹ)
• US IPA: stɑɹ, stÉ‘Ëž
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)

Origin

From Middle English sterre, from Old English steorra ("star"), from Proto-Germanic *sternô, *sternǭ ("star"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr ("star").

Full definition of star

Noun

1. Any small luminous dot appearing in the cloudless portion of the night sky, especially with a fixed location relative to other such dots.
2. (star) A luminous celestial body, made up of plasma (particularly hydrogen and helium) and having a spherical shape. Depending on context the sun may or may not be included.
3. (geometry) A concave polygon with regular, pointy protrusions and indentations, generally with five or six points.
4. (acting) An actor in a leading role.
   Many Hollywood stars attended the launch party.
5. An exceptionally talented or famous person, often in a specific field; a celebrity.
   His teacher tells us he is a star pupil.
6. (printing) An asterisk (*).
7. A symbol used to rate hotels, films, etc. with a higher number of stars denoting better quality.
8. A simple dance, or part of a dance, where a group of four dancers each put their right or left hand in the middle and turn around in a circle. You call them right-hand stars or left-hand stars, depending on the hand which is in the middle.
9. (astrology) A planet supposed to influence one's destiny.
   What's in the stars for you today? Find out in our horoscope.
• William ShakespeareO malignant and ill-brooding stars.
• Joseph AddisonBlesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud,.... By the time we reached the house we were thanking our stars she had come.
10. A star-shaped ornament worn on the breast to indicate rank or honour.
• Alfred, Lord TennysonOn whom ...
  Lavish Honour showered all her stars.
11. A composition of combustible matter used in the heading of rockets, in mines, etc., which, exploding in the air, presents a starlike appearance.

Synonyms

• (astronomy) * abbreviation

Derived terms

Hyponyms

Descendants

• German: Star

Verb

1. To appear as a featured performer or headliner, especially in an entertainment program.
2. To mark with a star or asterisk.
3. To set or adorn with stars, or bright, radiating bodies; to bespangle.
• YoungA sable curtain starred with gold.

Anagrams

• arts
• rats
• tars
• tsar