asteriskn.
/ˈastərɪsk/ 1. A little star.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > star > kind of star > small star > [noun]
astracism1590
starrulet1610
asteriska1682
starnie1737
starlet1810
a1682 Sir T. Browne Christian Morals (1716) i. 38 Add one Ray unto the common Lustre..and prove not a Cloud but an Asterisk.
2. transferred. Anything shaped or radiating like a star; spec. in Orthodox Church a star-shaped instrument of gold or silver placed above the chalice and paten to prevent the veil from touching the elements.
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the world > space > shape > angularity > specific angular shape > [noun] > star-shaped object
asterisk1708
asterism1743
society > faith > artefacts > implement (general) > vessel (general) > paten > [noun] > star-shaped implement placed above
asterisk1872
1708 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 26 77 An Irregular Coralline-stone, naturally Engrav'n with Asterisks.
1742 R. North & M. North Life F. North 133 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.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [noun] > asterisks, etc.
stara1382
crossc1400
windmill1402
asterisk1612
N.B.1651
asterisma1657
nota bene1738
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Chron. Prol. Wher euer ȝe seen asterichos..there wijte ȝe of Ebrue added, that in Latyne bokis is not had.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. V. 55 A signe þat hatte asteriscus and is i-shape liche a sterre.]
1612 J. Brinsley Posing of Parts sig. A3v For the necessary questions..I haue set an Asteriske vpon them.
1645 M. Casaubon Orig. Cavse Temporall Evils 47 Set out as imperfect with three asteriscs.
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Asterisque.
1796 S. Pegge Anonymiana (1809) 289 The asterisks in Drake's Eboracum are intended for Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne.
1824 J. Johnson Typographia II. iii. 51 The Asterisk divides each verse of a Psalm into two parts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
asteriskv.
To mark with an asterisk, to star.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > punctuate [verb (transitive)] > asterisk, etc.
asteriska1734
star1827
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) 279 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.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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