star Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
  2. noun someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
    mavin; champion; ace; genius; wizard; sensation; virtuoso; maven; adept; whiz; superstar; hotshot; whizz; wiz.
  3. noun any celestial body visible (as a point of light) from the Earth at night
  4. noun an actor who plays a principal role
    lead; principal.
  5. noun a plane figure with 5 or more points; often used as an emblem
  6. noun a performer who receives prominent billing
    headliner.
  7. noun a star-shaped character * used in printing
    asterisk.
  8. noun the topology of a network whose components are connected to a hub
    star topology.
  9. verb feature as the star
    • The movie stars Dustin Hoffman as an autistic man
  10. verb be the star in a performance
  11. verb mark with an asterisk
    asterisk.
    • Linguists star unacceptable sentences
  12. adjective satellite indicating the most important performer or role
    stellar; leading; prima; starring.
    • the leading man
    • prima ballerina
    • prima donna
    • a star figure skater
    • the starring role
    • a stellar role
    • a stellar performance

WordNet

Star noun
Etymology
OE. sterre, AS. steorra; akin to OFries. stera, OS. sterro, D. ster, OHG. sterno, sterro, G. stern, Icel. stjarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth. staírno, Armor. & Corn. stern, L. stella, Gr. , , Skr. star; perhaps from a root meaning, to seater, Skr. st, L. sternere (cf. Stratum), and originally applied to the stars as beingstrewn over the sky, or as beingscatterers or spreaders of light. *296. Cf. Aster, Asteroid, Constellation, Disaster, Stellar.
Definitions
  1. One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the heavens; any heavenly body other than the sun, moon, comets, and nebulæ.
    His eyen twinkled in his head aright, As do the stars in the frosty night. Chaucer.
    ✍ The stars are distinguished as planets, and fixed stars. See Planet, Fixed stars under Fixed, and Magnitude of a star under Magnitude.
  2. The polestar; the north star. Shak.
  3. (Astrol.) A planet supposed to influence one's destiny; (usually pl.) a configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune.
    O malignant and ill-brooding stars. Shak.
    Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury. Addison.
  4. That which resembles the figure of a star, as an ornament worn on the breast to indicate rank or honor.
    On whom . . . Lavish Honor showered all her stars. Tennyson.
  5. Specifically, a radiated mark in writing or printing; an asterisk [thus, *]; -- used as a reference to a note, or to fill a blank where something is omitted, etc.
  6. (Pyrotechny) A composition of combustible matter used in the heading of rockets, in mines, etc., which, exploding of a air, presents a starlike appearance.
  7. A person of brilliant and attractive qualities, especially on public occasions, as a distinguished orator, a leading theatrical performer, etc. ✍ Star is used in the formation of compound words generally or obvious signification: as, star-aspiring, star-bespangled, star-bestudded, star-blasting, star-bright, star-crowned, star-directed, star-eyed, star-headed, star-paved, star-roofed; star-sprinkled, star-wreathed.
Star transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Starred ; present participle & verbal noun Starring
Definitions
  1. To set or adorn with stars, or bright, radiating bodies; to bespangle; as, a robe starred with gems. "A sable curtain starred with gold." Young.
Star intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be bright, or attract attention, as a star; to shine like a star; to be brilliant or prominent; to play a part as a theatrical star. i.e., to be the most prominent or one of the two most prominent actors in the cast of a drama or film. W. Irving.

Webster 1913