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What does -aster mean?

The combining form -aster is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is to denote something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing, typically as a pejorative (negative) or diminutive (implying something is small). This form of -aster is occasionally used in a variety of everyday and technical terms. The form -aster comes from Latin -aster, which indicates a partial resemblance to something and may be pejorative depending on context.The second of these senses is “star,” and this form of -aster is occasionally used in a variety of scientific terms, particularly in biology. This form of -aster comes from Greek ������ḗr, meaning "star." The Latin cognate of ������ḗr is stella, also meaning “star,” which can be found in words such as stellar and stelliferous. Check out our entries for both words to learn more.What are variants of -aster with the sense “star”?While not a variant of -aster, the combining form astro- has a similar meaning: "related to stars." Learn more about the form astro- at our 51�Թ�s That Use article for the term.

What is an��aster?

An aster is a flower with a white, pink, blue, or purple petals around a yellow middle.The name aster can be used for any plant in the genus Aster. Asters are similar to daisies and are in the same family. They are sometimes called Michaelmas daisies.Species of asters commonly planted in gardens include those known as the New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and the New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii). Some varieties of asters are used as cut flowers by florists.The aster is one of the September birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone).Example: We planted asters around the grass in the garden.