“Word of the Day: ASTERISM (12D: Constellation) — n.
- Printing. Three asterisks in a triangular formation used to call attention to a following passage.
- Astronomy. A cluster of stars smaller than a constellation.[ed. so … NOT a [Constellation] …]
- Mineralogy. A six-rayed starlike figure optically produced in some crystal structures by reflected or transmitted light.”
—Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle, August 20, 2009.