Asterisks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A typographic symbol (*) often used to indicate a footnote or to censor letters in a word
2. A marking that denotes multiplication in mathematics or a wildcard in computing
3. Symbols representing omitted content or serving various instructional purposes in writing and formatting

Etymology: The use of asterisks as typographical symbols dates back to ancient manuscripts, where scribes employed them to mark omissions, corrections, or annotations. The word itself derives from the Greek "asteriskos," a diminutive form of "aster," meaning "star." This small star-shaped mark was originally used in classical texts to indicate noteworthy passages or to signal that something required attention. The asterisk made its way into Latin as "asteriscus," maintaining the star-like symbolism. It entered English usage around the 16th century, primarily in scholarly and printing contexts. Early printers adopted the symbol to guide readers to footnotes or marginal comments, functioning much like a modern-day reference marker. Its form—a simple five-pointed star—made it an effective and visually distinctive tool for highlighting text without disrupting the flow of the main body. Over time, the asterisk’s role expanded beyond textual annotation into mathematics, computer programming, and digital communication, where it serves purposes from multiplication signs to wildcard characters. Though the symbol’s shape clearly reflects its celestial origin, the evolution of the term from a literal star to a versatile typographical mark exemplifies how language and symbols adapt to new contexts while preserving glimpses of their original meaning.

Synonyms: stars, symbols, markers