aster

[ as-ter ]

noun
  1. any composite plant of the genus Aster, having rays varying from white or pink to blue around a yellow disk.

  2. a plant of some allied genus, as the China aster.

  1. Cell Biology. a structure formed in a cell during mitosis, composed of astral rays radiating about the centrosome.

  2. Furniture. sunflower (def. 2).

Origin of aster

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin, from Greek astḗr “star”; cf. star

Words Nearby aster

Other definitions for -aster (2 of 3)

-aster1

  1. a diminutive or pejorative suffix denoting something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing: criticaster; poetaster, oleaster.

Origin of -aster

2
From Latin

Other definitions for -aster (3 of 3)

-aster2

  1. Chiefly Biology. a combining form with the meaning “star,” used in the formation of compound words: diaster.

Origin of -aster

3
<Greek astḗrstar; cf. astro-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use aster in a sentence

  • The China aster has been for years a great favorite in both old-fashioned and modern gardens.

  • This answer made aster so angry that he went over to the enemy and enlisted in their ranks.

    The Story of the Greeks | H. A. Guerber

British Dictionary definitions for aster (1 of 2)

aster

/ (ˈæstə) /


noun
  1. any plant of the genus Aster, having white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites): Compare golden aster

  2. China aster a related Chinese plant, Callistephus chinensis, widely cultivated for its showy brightly coloured flowers

  1. cytology a group of radiating microtubules that surrounds the centrosome before and during mitosis

Origin of aster

1
C18: from New Latin, from Latin aster star, from Greek

British Dictionary definitions for -aster (2 of 2)

-aster

suffix forming nouns
  1. a person or thing that is inferior or bears only a poor resemblance to what is specified: poetaster

Origin of -aster

2
from Latin: suffix indicating imperfect resemblance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012