-aster

¹

1. a diminutive or pejorative suffix denoting something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing:

   criticaster; poetaster, oleaster.

-aster

²

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

   diaster.

aster

³

[ 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.
3. Cell Biology. a structure formed in a cell during mitosis, composed of astral rays radiating about the centrosome.
4. Furniture. sunflower ( def 2 ).

aster

¹

/ ˈæstə /

noun

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

-aster

²

suffix forming nouns

1. a person or thing that is inferior or bears only a poor resemblance to what is specified

   poetaster

Word History and Origins

Origin of -aster¹

From Latin

Origin of -aster²

< Greek astḗr star; astro-

Origin of -aster³

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of -aster¹

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

Origin of -aster²

from Latin: suffix indicating imperfect resemblance

Example Sentences

Expectedly, a handful of A24 films, like Ari Aster’s Midsommar and Robert Eggers’ The Witch, have dedicated recipes in the book.

From Eater

Pinon says she steers clear of dahlias, daisies and asters for fragrance-sensitive people, too.

From Washington Post

The next moment, plump into Tilly's lap, fell a huge pink aster.

From Project Gutenberg

Be on the lookout for black beetle on Aster and Chrysanthemum.

From Project Gutenberg

Iron-weed, which looks like an overgrown aster, has the same intense purple-blue color, and a royal profusion of flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

More About Aster

What is an aster?

An aster is a flower with a white, pink, blue, or purple petals around a yellow middle.

The name aster can be used for any plant in the genus Aster. Asters are similar to daisies and are in the same family. They are sometimes called Michaelmas daisies.

Species of asters commonly planted in gardens include those known as the New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae–angliae) and the New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii). Some varieties of asters are used as cut flowers by florists.

The aster is one of the September birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone).

Example: We planted asters around the grass in the garden.

Where does aster come from?

The first records of the word aster come from around 1600. It comes from the Greek astḗr, meaning “star.” Other star-related words are based on the same root, such as astronomy, asteroid, and asterisk. Asters are named for their star-shaped flowers.

Asters are native to Eurasia. They are perennial, herbaceous plants that bloom late in the growing season—sometimes in September, for which they are one of the birth flowers. Asters are often classified as either “wild” or “cultivated.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for aster?

• Michaelmas daisy

What are some words that share a root or word element with aster? 

• asteroid
• asterisk
• astronomy
• China aster

What are some words that often get used in discussing aster?

• flower
• white
• pink
• blue
• purple
• garden
• cultivated
• wild
• daisy

How is aster used in real life?

Asters are popular as garden flowers due to their colorful blooms.

Front garden is shaping up. Trying out some new ideas this year: Jasmine, Dahlias, Aster, Chrysanthemum, Campanula, Rudbeckia, Thyme. Definitely in an experimental phase and loving it. Allium “Millennium” still my favourite and doing well in the spring sun!

— Craig Munro (@craigmunro) April 5, 2021

Native New England aster in my late summer backyard garden, super easy and prolific. Start with just a couple of seedlings from a native plant sale, and you're set for years to come. These are a lifesaver for migrating birds, #hummingbirds #pollinators #butterflies #biodiversity pic.twitter.com/yGArh5jmuy

— Susan (@OneWildLife1) April 3, 2021

Blooms of an aster add to the fall color in the Nebraska National Forest near Chadron. The aster is the birth flower for the month of Sept. pic.twitter.com/tz0qXtXzgy

— Nebraska Game and Parks (@NEGameandParks) October 7, 2016

 

 

Try using aster!

True or False? 

Asters are related to daisies.