‖ Asterias Zool.
(əˈstɪərɪæs)
Pl. -æ.
[mod.L., a. Gr. ἀστερίας starry, f. ἀστήρ star. A sing. asteria has been sometimes used.]
A genus of Echinoderms, containing the common Five-rayed Star-fish, with allied species. asterialite (əˈstɪərɪəlaɪt) [see -lite], a fossil star-fish. asterid (ˈæstərɪd), asteridian (æstəˈrɪdɪən), an animal belonging to the Asteridæ or star-fish family.
| 1794 Sullivan View Nat. II. 175 Asteriæ and entrochi..have a starry appearance. 1847 Carpenter Zool. §1012 The common Asterias, or Star-fish. 1876 Beneden Anim. Parasites 43 Delle Chiaie has lately observed on an asteria a Nereis squamosa. 1883 tr. Nordenskiold's Voy. Vega 74 Asterids of many kinds. |