Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Star
Star
(stär)
, Noun.
[OE.
sterre
, AS. steorra
; akin to OFries. stera
, OS. sterro
, D. ster
, OHG. sterno
, sterro
, G. stern
, Icel. stjarna
, Sw. stjerna
, Dan. stierne
, Goth. staírnō
, Armor. & Corn. steren
, L. stella
, Gr. ἀστήρ
, ἄστρον
, Skr. star
; perhaps from a root meaning, to scatter, Skr. stṛ
, L. sternere
(cf. Stratum
), and originally applied to the stars as being strewn over the sky, or as being scatterers or spreaders of light. √296. Cf. Aster
, Asteroid
, Constellation
, Disaster
, Stellar
.] 1.
One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the heavens; any heavenly body other than the sun, moon, comets, and nebulae.
His eyen twinkled in his head aright,
As do the
As do the
stars
in the frosty night. Chaucer.
2.
The polestar; the north star.
Shak.
3.
(Astrol.)
A planet supposed to influence one’s destiny; (usually
pl.
) a configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune. O malignant and ill-brooding
stars
. Shakespeare
Blesses his
stars
, and thinks it luxury. Addison.
4.
That which resembles the figure of a star, as an ornament worn on the breast to indicate rank or honor.
On whom . . .
Lavish Honor showered all her
Lavish Honor showered all her
stars
. Tennyson.
5.
Specifically, a radiated mark in writing or printing; an asterisk [thus, *]; – used as a reference to a note, or to fill a blank where something is omitted, etc.
6.
(Pyrotechny)
A composition of combustible matter used in the heading of rockets, in mines, etc., which, exploding in the air, presents a starlike appearance.
7.
A person of brilliant and attractive qualities, especially on public occasions, as a distinguished orator, a leading theatrical performer, etc.
☞ Star is used in the formation of compound words generally of obvious signification; as, star-aspiring, star-bespangled, star-bestudded, star-blasting, star-bright, star-crowned, star-directed, star-eyed, star-headed, star-paved, star-roofed, star-sprinkled, star-wreathed.
Blazing star
, Double star
, Multiple star
, Shooting star
, etc. Nebulous star
(Astron.)
, a small well-defined circular nebula, having a bright nucleus at its center like a star.
– Star anise
(Bot.)
, any plant of the genus Illicium; – so called from its star-shaped capsules.
– Star apple
(Bot.)
, a tropical American tree (
– Chrysophyllum Cainito
), having a milky juice and oblong leaves with a silky-golden pubescence beneath. It bears an applelike fruit, the carpels of which present a starlike figure when cut across. The name is extended to the whole genus of about sixty species, and the natural order (Sapotaceae
) to which it belongs is called the Star-apple family. Star conner
, one who cons, or studies, the stars; an astronomer or an astrologer.
Gascoigne.
– Star coral
(Zool.)
, any one of numerous species of stony corals belonging to
– Astraea
, Orbicella
, and allied genera, in which the calicles are round or polygonal and contain conspicuous radiating septa. Star cucumber
. (Bot.)
See under
– Cucumber
. Star flower
. (Bot.)
(a)
A plant of the genus
. Ornithogalum
; star-of-Bethlehem(b)
See
. Starwort
(b)
(c)
An American plant of the genus
. Trientalis
(Trientalis Americana
)Gray.
– Star fort
(Fort.)
, a fort surrounded on the exterior with projecting angles; – whence the name.
– Star gauge
(Ordnance)
, a long rod, with adjustable points projecting radially at its end, for measuring the size of different parts of the bore of a gun.
– Star grass
. (Bot.)
(a)
A small grasslike plant (
. Hypoxis erecta
) having star-shaped yellow flowers(b)
The colicroot. See
– Colicroot
. Star hyacinth
(Bot.)
, a bulbous plant of the genus
– Scilla
(Scilla autumnalis
); – called also star-headed hyacinth
. Star jelly
(Bot.)
, – Star lizard
. (Zool.)
Same as
– Stellion
. Star-of-Bethlehem
(Bot.)
, a bulbous liliaceous plant (
– Ornithogalum umbellatum
) having a small white starlike flower. Star-of-the-earth
(Bot.)
, a plant of the genus
– Plantago
(Plantago coronopus
), growing upon the seashore. Star polygon
(Geom.)
, a polygon whose sides cut each other so as to form a star-shaped figure.
– Stars and Stripes
, a popular name for the flag of the United States, which consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, alternately red and white, and a union having, in a blue field, white stars to represent the several States, one for each.
With the old flag, the true American flag, the Eagle, and the
Stars and Stripes
, waving over the chamber in which we sit. D. Webster.
–
Star showers
. See
– Shooting star
, under Shooting
. Star thistle
(Bot.)
, an annual composite plant (
– Centaurea solstitialis
) having the involucre armed with stout radiating spines. Star wheel
(Mach.)
, a star-shaped disk, used as a kind of ratchet wheel, in repeating watches and the feed motions of some machines.
– Star worm
(Zool.)
, a gephyrean.
– Temporary star
(Astron.)
, a star which appears suddenly, shines for a period, and then nearly or quite disappears. These stars were supposed by some astronomers to be variable stars of long and undetermined periods. More recently, variations star in start intensity are classified more specifically, and this term is now obsolescent. See also
nova
. [Obsolescent]
– Variable star
(Astron.)
, a star whose brilliancy varies periodically, generally with regularity, but sometimes irregularly; – called
– periodical star
when its changes occur at fixed periods. Water star grass
(Bot.)
, an aquatic plant (
Schollera graminea
) with small yellow starlike blossoms.Star
(stär)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Starred
(stärd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Starring
.] To set or adorn with stars, or bright, radiating bodies; to bespangle;
“A sable curtain starred with gold.” as, a robe
. starred
with gemsYoung.
Star
,Verb.
I.
To be bright, or attract attention, as a star; to shine like a star; to be brilliant or prominent; to play a part as a theatrical star.
W. Irving.
Webster 1828 Edition
Star
STAR
,Noun.
1.
An apparently small luminous body in the heavens, that appears in the night, or when its light is not obscured by clouds or lost in the brighter effulgence of the sun. Stars are fixed or planetary. The fixed stars are known by their perpetual twinkling, and by their being always in the same position in relation to each other. The planets do not twinkle, and they revolve about the sun. The stars are worlds, and their immense numbers exhibit the astonishing extent of creation and of divine power.2.
The pole-star. [A particular application, not in use.]3.
In astrology, a configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune. Hence the expression, You may thank your stars for such and such an event.A pair of star-crossd lovers.
4.
The figure of a star; a radiated mark in writing or printing; an asterisk; thus*; used as a reference to a note in the margin, or to fill a blank in writing or printing where letters are omitted.5.
In Scripture, Christ is called the bright and morning star, the star that ushers in the light of an eternal day to his people. Revelations 22. Ministers are also called stars in Christs right hand, as, being supported and directed by Christ, they convey light and knowledge to the followers of Christ. Revelations 1. The twelve stars which form the crown of the church, are the twelve apostles. Revelations 12.6.
The figure of a star; a badge of rank; as stars and garters.The pole-star, a bright star in the tail of Ursa minor, so called from its being very near the north pole.
Star of Bethlehem, a flower and plant of the genus Ornithogalum. There is also the star of Alexandria, and of Naples, and of Constantinople, of the same genus.
STAR
,Verb.
T.