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stellate

American  
[stel-it, -eyt] / ˈstɛl ɪt, -eɪt /
Often stellated

adjective

  1. like the form of a conventionalized figure of a star; star-shaped.


stellate British  
/ -eɪt, ˈstɛlɪt /

adjective

  1. resembling a star in shape; radiating from the centre

    a stellate arrangement of petals

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of stellate

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin stellātus “starry,” equivalent to stell(a) star + -ātus -ate 1

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.

See Examples For:

Once changed, the stellate cells release fibrous proteins that build the characteristic bands within the tumor.

From Science Daily Jun. 25, 2026

Reducing its activity or removing the stellate cells that produce it could help limit nerve invasion and slow the cancer's ability to spread.

From Science Daily Jan. 30, 2026

In its first iteration, Maris’ stellate insignia consisted of silver plastic stars from Party City, placed like tears to match the somber music she made at the time.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 2, 2025

The analysis identified 20 cell clusters, encompassing β cells, α cells, δ cells, PP cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, stellate cells, ductal cells, and acinar cells.

From Science Daily Nov. 21, 2023

Then, a bell sounds, and acrasin is released by special cells toward which the others converge in stellate ranks, touch, fuse together, and construct the slug, solid as a trout.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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