Stār1, n.
n. [O. Eng. sterre, A-S. steorra, O. Sax. sterro, O. Fries. stera, D. ster, O. D. sterre, sterne, O. H. Ger. sterno, sterro, N. H. Ger. stern, Icel. stiarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth. stairnō, Gr. ἀστήρ, Lat. stella, for sterna, or sterla, sterula, Armor. & Corn. steren, W. seren, Hind. sitāra, tārā, Bengal stara, Skr. strī, tārā, for stārā, O. Per. stārē, Basque izarra.] 1. One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the heavens.
The stars are distinguished as planets and fixed stars; the latter, so called from their constantly maintaining the same, or very nearly the same, relative positions in the heavens, are separated into classes according to their relative degrees of brightness, and designated, respectively, as stars of the first, second, third, &c., magnitudes. See FIXED and PLANET.
Sense 2. The pole-star. [Obs. and very rare.]
If you be not turned Turk, there is no more sailing by the star. Shak.
Sense 3. (Astrol.) A configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune. “O malignant and ill-boding stars.” Shak.
Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury. Addison.
Sense 4. That which resembles the figure of a star, as an ornament worn upon the breast to indicate rank or honor.
Sense 5. Especially, 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.
Sense 6. (Pyrotechny.) A composition of combustible matter used for the heading of a signal rocket, and which, exploding in the air, presents a star-like appearance.
Sense 7. A person of brilliant and attractive qualities, especially on public occasions; a distinguished theatrical performer, and the like.
Star is often used in the formation of compound words of very obvious signification: as, star-aspiring, star-beam, star-bespangled, star-bestudded, star-blasting, star-bright, star-crowned, star-directed, star-encircled, star-eyed, star-headed, star-led, star-like, star-lit, star-paved, star-reaching, star-roofed, star-spotted, star-sprinkled, star-wreathed, and the like.
Double star. See DOUBLE-STAR.—Nebulous star, a small, well-defined, circular nebula, having a bright nucleus at its center, like a star.—Star-of-Bethlehem (Bot.), a bulbous plant of the genus Ornithogalum (O. umbellatum), having a small, white, star-like flower. See.—Star-of-the-earth (Bot.), a plant of the genus Plantago (P. coronopus), growing upon the sea-shore.—Variable star, a star whose brilliancy varies periodically, generally with regularity, but sometimes irregularly;—called also periodical star.