asterisk
[ as-tuh-risk ]
/ ˈæs tə rɪsk /
noun
verb (used with object)
to mark with an asterisk.
Origin of asterisk
pronunciation note for asterisk
While
asterisk is usually said as
[as-tuh-risk] /ˈæs tə rɪsk/, with the
[s] /s/ in the final syllable preceding the
[k] /k/, a
metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the
[s] /s/ and
[k] /k/ change places producing
[as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like
kicks and
sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of
[as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/ as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular
[as-tuh-rik] /ˈæs tə rɪk/. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation of the singular form with no
[s] /s/ in the final syllable.
Words nearby asterisk
aster yellows,
asteraceous,
astereognosis,
asteriated,
asterion,
asterisk,
asterism,
asterixis,
astern,
asternal,
asternia
Example sentences from the Web for asterisk
British Dictionary definitions for asterisk
asterisk
/ (ˈæstərɪsk) /
noun
a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc
- (in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form
- (in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable
verb
(tr)
to mark with an asterisk
Word Origin for asterisk
C17: from Late Latin
asteriscus a small star, from Greek
asteriskos, from
astēr star