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asterisk

Syllabification: (as·ter·isk)
Pronunciation: /ˈastəˌrisk/

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Definition of asterisk

noun

  • a symbol (*) used to mark printed or written text, typically as a reference to an annotation or to stand for omitted matter.
  • a thing resembling a star in shape:soft asterisks of pollen

verb

[with object] (usually as adjective asterisked)
  • mark (printed or written text) with an asterisk:asterisked entries

Origin:

late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek asteriskos 'small star', diminutive of astēr

Even though asterisk does not look like a tricky word to pronounce, it can be problematic. In both its singular and plural forms, it is often mispronounced as if it ends with -rix. Pronounced correctly, it ends with a -risk sound when singular and -risks when plural.

Spelling help

The ending of asterisk should be spelled -isk.

asterisk in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of asterisk in the British & World English dictionary
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