Star \Star\ (st[aum]r), n. [OE. sterre, AS. steorra; akin to
OFries. stera, OS. sterro, D. ster, OHG. sterno, sterro, G.
stern, Icel. stjarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth.
sta['i]rn[=o], Armor. & Corn. steren, L. stella, Gr. 'asth`r,
'a`stron, Skr. star; perhaps from a root meaning, to scatter,
Skr. st[.r], L. sternere (cf. Stratum), and originally
applied to the stars as being strewn over the sky, or as
being scatterers or spreaders of light. [root]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 nebul[ae].
His eyen twinkled in his head aright, As do the
stars in the frosty night. --Chaucer.
Note: The stars are distinguished as planets, and fixed
stars. See Planet, Fixed stars under Fixed, and
Magnitude of a star under Magnitude.
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. --Shak.
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 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.
Note: 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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