asterism
English
editEtymology
editFrom Ancient Greek ἀστερισμός (asterismós, “group of stars”), from ἀστήρ (astḗr, “star”). Analyzable as aster- + -ism.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editasterism (plural asterisms)
- (astronomy) An unofficial constellation (small group of stars that forms a visible pattern).
- The Big Dipper, Summer Triangle, and Orion's Belt are asterisms.
- 1825, Geo G. Carey, Astronomy, as it is known at the present day, London, p. 66 f:
- Of the constellations, or asterisms. [...] It therefore became necessary to adopt a more general method of distinguishing them. This was accomplished by portioning out the heavens into imaginary figures, of men, birds, fishes, &c. called Constellations or Asterisms.
- 2007, Matilde Battistini, Rosanna M. Giammanco Frongia (translation from Italian into English), Astrology, Magic, and Alchemy in Art, page 60:
- Like Pisces and Capricorn, Aquarius is located in that part of the sky known as "Astral Sea," a region inhabited by water asterisms such as Eridanus, Cetus (the Whale), and the Dolphin.
- A rarely used typographical symbol of three asterisks arranged in a triangle, ⁂, used to call attention to a passage or to separate subchapters in a book. Distinct from a dinkus which also uses asterisks to separate.
- (mineralogy) A star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica).
Derived terms
editRelated terms
editTranslations
editconstellation
|
small group of stars
|
typographical symbol
|
a star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals
|
See also
editAnagrams
editRomanian
editEtymology
editBorrowed from French astérisme.
Noun
editasterism n (plural asterisme)
Declension
editDeclension of asterism
singular | plural | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
indefinite articulation | definite articulation | indefinite articulation | definite articulation | |
nominative/accusative | (un) asterism | asterismul | (niște) asterisme | asterismele |
genitive/dative | (unui) asterism | asterismului | (unor) asterisme | asterismelor |
vocative | asterismule | asterismelor |
Categories:
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English terms prefixed with aster-
- English terms suffixed with -ism
- English 4-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Constellations
- English terms with usage examples
- English terms with quotations
- en:Mineralogy
- en:Celestial bodies
- en:Collectives
- en:Typography
- Romanian terms borrowed from French
- Romanian terms derived from French
- Romanian lemmas
- Romanian nouns
- Romanian countable nouns
- Romanian neuter nouns