asterisk Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a star-shaped character * used in printing
    star.
  2. verb mark with an asterisk
    star.
    • Linguists star unacceptable sentences

WordNet

As"ter*isk noun
Etymology
L. asteriscus, Gr. , dim. of star. See Aster.
Definitions
  1. The figure of a star, thus, , used in printing and writing as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, to supply the omission of letters or words, or to mark a word or phrase as having a special character.

Webster 1913