WordNet Dictionary- [n] a star-shaped character * used in printing
- [v] mark with an asterisk; "Linguists star unacceptable sentences"
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\As"ter*isk\, n. [L. asteriscus, Gr. ?, dim. of 'asth`r
star. See {Aster}.]
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.
Computing Dictionary"*" ascii code 42. Common names include: star; intercal: splat; itu-t: asterisk. Rare: wild card; gear; dingle; mult; spider; aster; times; twinkle; glob; nathan hale. Commonly used as the multiplication operator and as the kleene star.