asterisk
[as-tuh-risk]
- a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.
- Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark an utterance that would be considered ungrammatical or otherwise unacceptable by native speakers of a language, as in * I enjoy to ski.
- Historical Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark a hypothetical or reconstructed form that is not attested in a text or inscription.
- something in the shape of a star or asterisk.
- any factor or element that makes an otherwise outstanding achievement somewhat doubtful or less impressive: Two favorites were injured in practice, so his win comes with an asterisk attached.
- a minor or insignificant person or thing: his unlikely rise from an asterisk in the polls to the winning candidate.
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- to mark with an asterisk.
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Origin of asterisk
Pronunciation note
While asterisk is usually said as [as-tuh-risk] /ˈæs tə rɪsk/, with the [s] /s/ in the final syllable preceding the [k] /k/, a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the [s] /s/ and [k] /k/ change places producing [as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of [as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/ as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular [as-tuh-rik] /ˈæs tə rɪk/. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation of the singular form with no [s] /s/ in the final syllable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for asterisk
Contemporary Examples
Keep the scare quotes around gay “marriage,” or at least put an asterisk after it.
In a year with less unrest economically, that would be an asterisk.
But now, in the name of religion, some people want to add an asterisk.
Instead of guessing, put an asterisk in the vacant spot and have the search engine figure it out for you.
The asterisk for the inevitable deluge of commenters noting that the honor isn't actually a Nobel Prize.
Historical Examples
The books to which direct reference is made are marked with an asterisk.
The Truth About WomanC. Gasquoine Hartley
Only persons who speak are included, except a few marked with asterisk.
The Facts About ShakespeareWilliam Allan Nielson
The best stories are indicated by an asterisk before the title of the story.
An asterisk before the name of an author indicates that he is not an American.
In this list the more common of the elements are marked with an asterisk.
An Elementary Study of ChemistryWilliam McPherson
asterisk
- a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc
- (in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form
- (in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable
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- (tr) to mark with an asterisk
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Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin asteriscus a small star, from Greek asteriskos, from astēr star
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
Word Origin and History for asterisk
n.
"figure used in printing and writing to indicate footnote, omission, etc.," late 14c., asterich, asterisc, from Late Latin asteriscus, from Greek asterikos "little star," diminutive of aster "star" (see astro-). As a verb from 1733.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper