Aster

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈæs.tə(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. A flowering perennial belonging to a large genus known for its star-shaped blossoms and diversity in color that enhances gardens and landscapes
2. A genus of flowering plants characterized by star-like blooms that are often vibrant and varied, typically cultivated for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscaping
3. A type of plant known for its daisy-shaped flowers which come in numerous hues, commonly used to add aesthetic value to outdoor spaces

Etymology: The Greek "astḗr" meant "star," and the English word "aster" arrived in the same family of words as "star" itself. Both descend from one ancient root, so the two English words are doublets: one came into English directly from Latin and the other through the native Germanic line. The Latin form "astēr" was borrowed from Greek, while "star" grew from the older Germanic tradition that English inherited. The flower got its name from its shape. Its petals radiate from a central disc like the points of a star, and botanists applied the Latin word to a genus of such plants. The name reflects the blossom's silhouette rather than any connection to the night sky, though the image is the same one that gives us "star" in the first place.

Synonyms: star, flower, bloom, blossom, plant