stɑ: n. & v. --n. 1 a
celestial body appearing as a
luminous point in
the night sky. 2 (in full fixed star)
such a body so
far from the
earth as to
appear motionless (cf.
PLANET, COMET). 3 a
large naturally luminous
gaseous body such as the
sun is. 4 a celestial body regarded as influencing a person's fortunes etc. (born
under a
lucky star). 5 a
thing resembling a star in
shape or
appearance. 6 a star-shaped mark,
esp. a
white mark on a horse's
forehead. 7 a
figure or
object with radiating points esp. as the
insignia of an
order, as a
decoration or mark of rank, or
showing a
category of
excellence (a five-star
hotel;
was awarded a
gold star). 8 a a
famous or
brilliant person; the
principal or
most prominent performer in a
play,
film, etc. (the star of the show). b (attrib.)
outstanding;
particularly brilliant ( star pupil). 9 (in full star connection) Electr. a Y-shaped
arrangement of three-phase windings. 10 = star
prisoner. --v. (starred, starring) 1 a tr. (of a film etc.)
feature as a principal performer. b intr. (of a performer) be featured in a film etc. 2 (esp. as starred adj.) a mark, set, or
adorn with a star or stars. b put an
asterisk or star
beside (a
name, an
item in a list, etc.). ømy stars! colloq. an
expression of
surprise. star-apple an
edible purple apple-like
fruit (with a starlike cross-section) of a
tropical evergreen tree, Chrysophyllum cainito. Star
Chamber Brit.
Law 1
hist. a
court of
civil and criminal jurisdiction noted
for its arbitrary procedure, and abolished in 1640. 2
any arbitrary or
oppressive tribunal. star-crossed
archaic ill-fated. star fruit =
CARAMBOLA. star-gaze 1
gaze at or
study the stars. 2 gaze intently. star-gazer 1 colloq. usu. derog. or joc. an astronomer or astrologer. 2
Austral. sl. a
horse that turns its
head when galloping. star of Bethlehem any of
various plants with starlike flowers esp. Ornithogalum umbellatum with white star-shaped flowers
striped with
green on the
outside (see
Matt. 2:9). Star of David a figure consisting of
two interlaced
equilateral triangles used as a
Jewish and
Israeli symbol. star prisoner Brit. sl. a
convict serving a
first prison sentence. star
route US a
postal delivery route served by
private contractors. Stars and Bars the flag of the
Confederate States of the
US. Stars and Stripes the
national flag of the US. star
sapphire a
cabochon sapphire reflecting a star-like
image due to its
regular internal structure. star
shell an
explosive projectile designed to
burst in the
air and
light up the enemy's
position. star-spangled (esp. of the US national flag) covered or glittering with stars. star
stream a
systematic drift of stars. star-studded containing or covered with
many stars, esp. featuring many famous performers. star
turn the principal item in an
entertainment or
performance. Star Wars colloq. the
strategic defence initiative. øøstardom n. starless adj. starlike adj. [OE steorra f. Gmc]