star

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun A celestial body that generates light and other radiant energy and consists of a mass of gas held together by its own gravity in which the energy generated by nuclear reactions in the interior is balanced by the outflow of energy to the surface, and the inward-directed gravitational forces are balanced by the outward-directed gas and radiation pressures.
• noun Any of the celestial bodies visible at night from Earth as relatively stationary, usually twinkling points of light.
• noun Something regarded as resembling such a celestial body.
• noun A graphic design having five or more radiating points, often used as a symbol of rank or merit.
• noun An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.
• noun One who is highly celebrated in a field or profession.
• noun An asterisk (*).
• noun The star key on a telephone.
• noun A white spot on the forehead of a horse.
• noun A planet or constellation of the zodiac believed in astrology to influence personal destiny.
• noun The future; destiny. Often used with the.
• adjective Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something.
• adjective Of or relating to a star or stars.
• intransitive verb To ornament with stars.
• intransitive verb To award or mark with a star for excellence.
• intransitive verb To mark with an asterisk.
• intransitive verb To present or feature (a performer) in a leading role.
• intransitive verb To play the leading role in a theatrical or film production.
• intransitive verb To do an outstanding job; perform excellently.
• idiom (have stars in (one's) eyes) To be dazzled or enraptured, as with romantic love.
• idiom (see stars) To experience bright, flashing sensations, as from a blow to the head.

from The Century Dictionary.

• noun A book-name for humming-birds of the genus Calothorax, Oreotrochilus, and related genera.
• noun An ancient name for all deeds, releases, or obligations of the Jews, and also for a schedule or inventory. See starchamber. Also spelled starr.
• To cut with radiating incisions: said with reference to a chronic ulcer which may be so cut through the base and edges in order to loosen up adhesions, and so promote healing.
• To set with stars, literally or figuratively.
• Hence— To set with small bright bodies, as gems, spangles, or the like.
• To set with figures of stars forming a sowing or sprinkle.
• To transform into a star or stars; set in a constellation.
• To affix a star or asterisk to (a written or printed word) for a distinctive purpose, especially, in a list, to distinguish the name of a deceased person.
• To crack so as to produce a group of radiating lines.
• To shine as a star; be brilliant or prominent; shine above others; specifically (theat), to appear as a star actor.
• In the game of pool, to buy an additional life or lives.
• noun Any celestial body which appears as a luminous point.
• noun Hence Destiny.
• noun Anything which resembles a star.
• noun Specifically— A star-shaped figure made of silver, gold, or both, sometimes set with jewels, worn usually upon the breast as one of the insignia of a higher class of an honorary order. See insignia, and cuts under bath, garter, and Order of St. Michael (under order).
• noun The asterisk (*). See asterisk.
• noun In pyrotechny, a small piece of inflammable composition, which burns high in air with a colored flame, and presents the appearance of a star.
• noun A group of cracks or flaws radiating from a center.
• noun A spot of white or light color on the forehead of an animal.
• noun In zoology: A star-animal; a starfish, or other echinoderm of obviously radiate figure, as a brittle-star, feather-star, lily-star, sand-star, or sun-star. See the compounds.
• noun A stellate sponge-spicule; an aster.
• noun In a copper-plate or lithographic printing-press, the radial spokes on the roller, which serve as handles.
• noun Figuratively, a person of brilliant or attractive qualities; one who shines preëminently; specifically, the chief and preëminent actor or actress of a dramatic or operatic company.
• noun In heraldry, same as estoile.
• noun In fortification, a small fort having five or more points, or salient and reëntering angles flanking one another. Also called star-fort.