asterism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (mineralogy) a star-shaped figure with six rays that is seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light
  2. noun (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation)

WordNet

As`ter*ism noun
Etymology
Gr. , fr. star; cf. F. astérisme.
Definitions
  1. (Astron.) (a) A constellation. Obs. (b) A small cluster of stars.
  2. (Printing) (a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. R. (b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, &asterism;, to direct attention to a particular passage.
  3. (Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

Webster 1913