Asterisks are symbols that are commonly used in writing and printing to indicate a footnote, an omission, or to draw attention to a specific word or phrase. They are often overlooked, but they play an important role in enhancing the clarity and accuracy of written communication. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of asterisks.
Definitions
An asterisk is a typographical symbol that is represented by a star or a small star-like symbol (*). It is used to indicate a footnote, an omission, or to draw attention to a specific word or phrase. The asterisk is also used in mathematics to indicate multiplication or as a wildcard character in computer programming.
Origin
The word “asterisk” comes from the Greek word “asteriskos,” which means “little star.” The use of asterisks dates back to ancient Greece, where they were used to mark missing letters or words in manuscripts. They were also used in early printing to indicate corrections or additions to the text.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an asterisk is “a symbol * used to indicate a mathematical operation, to indicate a footnote, or to indicate an omission.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines an asterisk as “a star-shaped symbol (*) used to indicate a footnote, omission, or other commentary.”
Associations
Asterisks are often associated with footnotes, which are additional notes or comments that are included at the bottom of a page. They are also associated with corrections or additions to a text, as well as with mathematical operations.
Synonyms
Synonyms for asterisks include star, star-shaped symbol, reference mark, footnote mark, and dagger.
Antonyms
Antonyms for asterisks include omission, deletion, and erasure.
The same root words
The root word for asterisks is “aster,” which means “star.” Other words that share this root include “astronomy,” “asteroid,” “astral,” and “astrology.”
Example Sentences
- Please refer to the asterisk at the bottom of the page for more information.
- The author used an asterisk to indicate a correction to the text.
- In mathematics, an asterisk is used to indicate multiplication.
- The footnote was marked with an asterisk to draw attention to it.
- The asterisk is a common symbol used in writing and printing.