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asterisk

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

asterisk

Main Entry:: ¹as·ter·isk
Pronunciation:: \ˈas-tə-ˌrisk, especially in plural also ÷-ˌrik\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, astarisc, from Late Latin asteriscus, from Greek asteriskos, literally, little star, diminutive of aster-, astēr
Date:: 14th century

: the character * used in printing or writing as a reference mark, as an indication of the omission of letters or words, to denote a hypothetical or unattested linguistic form, or for various arbitrary meanings

— as·ter·isk·less

Listen to the pronunciation of asteriskless

\-ləs\ adjective

Learn more about "asterisk" and related topics at Britannica.com

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