stellate

American  

[stel-it, -eyt] / ˈstɛl ɪt, -eɪt /

Often stellated

adjective

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

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stellate British  

/ -eɪt, ˈstɛlɪt /

adjective

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

   a stellate arrangement of petals

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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

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 new models offered a peek at the underlying pathology, illuminating the roles of hepatic stellate and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in the disease process.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2024

These are the liver's so-called stellate cells, named for their star-like appearance.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 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