An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A group of stars in the sky which are traditionally imagined to present a pattern within a → constellation. Examples include the → Big Dipper, the → Northern Cross, the → Square of Pegasus, and → Orion’s Belt.

Etymology (EN): Gk. asterismos “a marking with stars, constellation,” from aster, → astro- + → -ism.

Etymology (PE): Axtargân, from axtar “star” → astro- + -gân suffix denoting collective nature.