Word: asterisk Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr Proto-Hellenic *astḗr Ancient Greek ᾰ̓στήρ (ăstḗr) Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Ancient Greek -ῐ́σκος (-ĭ́skos) Ancient Greek ἀστερῐ́σκος (asterĭ́skos)bor. Late Latin asteriscusder. Middle English asterisk English asterisk The noun is derived from Middle English asterisk [and other forms], from Late Latin asteriscus (“asterisk; small star”), from Ancient Greek ἀστερῐ́σκος (asterĭ́skos, “asterisk; small star”), from ᾰ̓στήρ (ăstḗr, “celestial body (star, planet, and other lights in the sky such as meteors)”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs- (“to burn; to glow”)) + -ῐ́σκος (-ĭ́skos, diminutive suffix). Doublet of asteriscus and piecewise doublet of starrish. Noun sense 1.1.2 (“something which is of little importance or which is marginal”) refers to the use of an asterisk to denote a footnote or marginal note in a text; in other words, information that is not important enough to be incorporated into the main text. Noun sense 1.1.3 (“blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement”) refers to the use of an asterisk in a sporting record to indicate that the record is qualified in some manner (for example, that the sportsperson was found to have taken performance-enhancing drugs at the time). The verb is derived from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˈæstəɹɪsk/, /ˈæstɹɪsk/, /ˈastəɹɪsk/, /ˈastɹɪsk/, /ˈastəɾɪsk/ 1. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: dated Example: Add one Ray unto the common Luſtre; add not only to the Number but the Note of thy Generation; and prove not a Cloud but an Aſteriſk in thy Region. 2. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: dated Example: He is in the right to put the Aſteriſks, not the VVords into the text; becauſe They do indeed give us [notice, that there is in Them] as much additional meaning, as there vvould be in thoſe vvords vvhich they ſo properly repreſent. Example: I having been looking at your pamphlet, and shewing it, but I mention no names. I don't see the use of names, for my part, unless it be to put in asterisks. It is—yes—very, indeed. 3. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: dated Example: Using a crafting knife, cut a small asterisk shape in the center of each black circle. Gently pierce each asterisk with a wooden skewer to make a hole. Once done, simply insert your stove knobs, and you're almost ready! 4. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: dated, figuratively Example: I don't want to be an asterisk in my kids' lives. I don't want to be just some guy who sporadically appears and then disappears again. Example: The opposing view sees it as an abject failure and historically irrelevant. This verdict was neatly summed up by the New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin when he predicted, a year on from the event: "It will be an asterisk in the history books, if it gets a mention at all." 5. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: US, dated, figuratively Example: They came into the tournament highly ranked, but with a little bit of an asterisk as their last two wins had been unconvincing. 6. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. Labels: dated Example: Then he [the deacon] reverently covereth the holy Cup with the veil. Likewise he placeth the Asterisk upon the holy Diskos, and the veil over it, and saith the following prayer with the Priest, silently, […] Example: The asterisk is one of the sacred objects used in the Byzantine rite. It is placed on the paten to protect the Eucharistic bread from contact with the special veil that covers it. The name derives from the shape of the object and symbolically recalls the Biblical words: "And the star came and stood above where the child was" […] [Matthew 2:9].