n.
Pronunciation: ' as-t ə - ˌ ri-z ə m
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek asterismos, from asterizein to arrange in constellations, from aster-, ast ē r
Date: 1598
1 a : CONSTELLATION b : a small group of stars
2 : a star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica)