definitions

aster

[ as-ter ]
/ ˈæs tər /
|

noun

any composite plant of the genus Aster, having rays varying from white or pink to blue around a yellow disk.
a plant of some allied genus, as the China aster.
Cell Biology. a structure formed in a cell during mitosis, composed of astral rays radiating about the centrosome.
Furniture. sunflower(def 2).

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Nearby words

astatic galvanometer, astatide, astatine, astbury, asteatosis, aster, aster yellows, asteraceous, astereognosis, asteriated, asterion

Origin of aster

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek astḗr star

Definition for aster (2 of 3)

-aster

1

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

Origin of -aster

1
From Latin

Definition for aster (3 of 3)

-aster

2

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

Origin of -aster

2
< Greek astḗr star; cf. astro-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aster

British Dictionary definitions for aster (1 of 2)

aster

/ (ˈæstə) /

noun

any plant of the genus Aster, having white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)Compare golden aster
China aster a related Chinese plant, Callistephus chinensis, widely cultivated for its showy brightly coloured flowers
cytology a group of radiating microtubules that surrounds the centrosome before and during mitosis

Word Origin for aster

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

British Dictionary definitions for aster (2 of 2)

-aster

suffix forming nouns

a person or thing that is inferior or bears only a poor resemblance to what is specifiedpoetaster

Word Origin for -aster

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

Medicine definitions for aster

aster

[ ăs′tər ]

n.

astrosphere
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.