▪ I. asterisk
(ˈæstərɪsk)
Also (4 asterichos, -icus), 7 asterisque, -iske, (-ick), 7–9 -isc.
[ad. L. asteriscus, a. Gr. ἀστερίσκος, dim. of ἀστήρ star: see -isk.]
1. A little star.
| 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 38 Add one ray unto the common lustre..and prove not a cloud but an asterisk. |
2. transf. Anything shaped or radiating like a star; spec. in Eastern Ch. a star-shaped instrument of gold or silver placed above the chalice and paten to prevent the veil from touching the elements.
| 1708 Phil. Trans. XXVI. 77 An Irregular Coralline-stone, naturally Engrav'n with Asterisks. a 1733 North Lives I. 274 The lanthorn is in the centre of an asterisk of glades. 1872 O. Shipley Gloss. Eccl. Terms, The veil [aer]..is placed over the asterisk, and covers both chalice and paten. |
3. esp. The figure of a star (*) used in writing and printing. a. as a reference to a note at the foot or margin of the page, b. to indicate the omission of words or letters, c. to distinguish words and phrases as conjectural, obscure, or bearing some other specified character, d. as a dividing mark, or for similar typographical purposes.
| [1382 Wyclif 2 Chron. Prol., Wher euer ȝe seen asterichos..there wijte ȝe of Ebrue added, that in Latyne bokis is not had. 1387 Trevisa Higden V. 55 A signe þat hatte asteriscus and is i-shape liche a sterre.] 1612 Brinsley Pos. Parts Pref. (1669) 4 For the necessary questions..I have set an Asterisk upon them. 1645 M. Casaubon Temp. Evils 47 Set out as imperfect with three asteriscs. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Asterisque. 1796 Pegge Anonym. (1809) 289 The asterisks in Drake's Eboracum are intended for Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne. 1824 J. Johnson Typogr. II. iii. 51 The Asterisk divides each verse of a Psalm into two parts. |
▪ II. ˈasterisk, v.
[f. prec.]
To mark with an asterisk, to star.
| a 1733 North Exam. (1740) 279 (D.), I need not asterisk the quaint words and expressions. 1864 Glasgow Daily Her. 24 Sept., Additions written on the blank pages..and often asterisked where they are intended to be taken in. |