aster
[ as-ter ]
/ ˈæs tər /
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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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Origin of aster
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin, from Greek astḗr “star”; cf. star
Words nearby aster
Definition for aster (2 of 3)
-aster1
a diminutive or pejorative suffix denoting something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing: criticaster; poetaster, oleaster.
Origin of -aster
1From Latin
Definition for aster (3 of 3)
-aster2
Chiefly Biology. a combining form with the meaning “star,” used in the formation of compound words: diaster.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences 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
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Medical 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.