Found 2 items, similar to asterism.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: asterism asterism n 1: (mineralogy) a six-rayed star-shaped figure seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light 2: (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation)
English → English (gcide) Definition: Asterism Asterism \As`ter*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F. ast['e]risme.] 1. (Astron.) (a) A constellation. [Obs.] (b) A small cluster of stars. [1913 Webster] 2. (Printing) (a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. [R.] (b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, [asterism], to direct attention to a particular passage. [1913 Webster] 3. (Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica. [1913 Webster]