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asterism

[ˈæstərɪzəm]

asterism Definition

a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern or shape.

Using asterism: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "asterism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The Big Dipper is an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major.

  • Example

    The Southern Cross is a famous asterism in the southern hemisphere.

  • Example

    The Summer Triangle is an asterism made up of three bright stars in the northern hemisphere.

Phrases with asterism

  • a symbol consisting of three asterisks (***), used to indicate a break between sections of text or to highlight a passage

    Example

    The author used an asterism to separate different parts of the essay.

  • a star-shaped figure with six rays, formed by reflections of light on certain minerals

    Example

    The asterism in this sapphire is caused by tiny needle-like inclusions.

  • asterism in linguistics

    a mark used to indicate a grammatical or semantic connection between words or phrases

    Example

    In some languages, an asterism is used to show that two words are part of a compound word.

Origins of asterism

from Greek 'asterismos', meaning 'a marking with stars'

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Summary: asterism in Brief

An 'asterism' [ˈæstərɪzəm] refers to a group of stars that form a recognizable pattern or shape. Examples include the Big Dipper and the Southern Cross. In typography, an asterism is a symbol consisting of three asterisks (***), used to indicate a break between sections of text or to highlight a passage. In mineralogy, an asterism is a star-shaped figure with six rays, formed by reflections of light on certain minerals. In linguistics, an asterism is a mark used to indicate a grammatical or semantic connection between words or phrases.