quasi-stellar object

American

[kwey-zahy-stel-er, kwey-sahy-, kwah-see-, -zee-] / ˈkweɪ zaɪˈstɛl ər, ˈkweɪ saɪ-, ˈkwɑ si-, -zi- /

noun

quasar. QSO

quasi-stellar object British

noun

QSO. a member of any of several classes of astronomical bodies, including quasars (strong radio sources) and quasi-stellar galaxies (no traceable radio emission), both of which have exceptionally large red shifts

"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

Etymology

Origin of quasi-stellar object

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scientists designated the objects "quasars," as a portmanteau of a "quasi-stellar" object.

From Science Daily

These objects are called quasars — short for quasi-stellar object — and sometimes they shine so bright that they can obscure nearby galaxies.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023