Wiktionary:Word of the day/2023/October 29

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asterisk n

(dated) A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. The star-shaped symbol *, which is used in printing and writing for various purposes, including to refer a reader to a note at the bottom of a page or in a margin, and to indicate the omission of letters or words; a star. Something resembling or shaped like an asterisk symbol. (figuratively) Something which is of little importance or which is marginal; a footnote. (US, sports, figuratively) A blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement. (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism) An instrument with radiating arms resembling a star which is placed over the diskos (or paten) used during the Eucharist to prevent the veil covering the chalice and diskos from touching the host on the diskos. asterisk v (transitive) To mark or replace (text, etc.) with an asterisk symbol (*; noun sense 1.1); to star. The comic book series Asterix created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo first appeared on this day in 1959.

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