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

---

Other Word Forms

• stellately adverb

Etymology

Origin of stellate

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

Example Sentences

While silybin led to modest improvements in liver enzymes, collagen buildup, and fibrotic gene expression, its benefits appeared to come mainly from protecting liver cells rather than directly blocking stellate cell activation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

A study published in Targetome on December 15, 2025 by Hong Wang's & Haiping Hao's team, China Pharmaceutical University, reports that a fixed-dose combination of silybin and carvedilol can strongly suppress hepatic stellate cell activation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 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