Main Entry:

as·ter·ism

Pronunciation:

\ˈas-tə-ˌri-zəm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Greek asterismos, from asterizein to arrange in constellations, from aster-, astēr

Date:

1598

1 a: constellation b: a small group of stars2: a star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica)