Asterism

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A constellation. [Obs.]

2. A small cluster of stars.

3. An asterisk, or mark of reference. [R.]

4. Three asterisks placed in this manner, *, to direct attention to a particular passage.

5. An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star- shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.