- asterism (n.)
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[asterism 词源字典] - 1590s, "a constellation, a group of stars," from Greek asterismos "a marking with stars," from aster "star" (see astro-). Any grouping of stars, whether a constellation or not (though in modern use, usually the latter). The "Big Dipper" is an asterism, not a constellation.[asterism etymology, asterism origin, 英语词源]