Zool. Pl. -æ. [mod.L., a. Gr. ἀστερίας starry, f. ἀστήρ star. A sing. asteria has been sometimes used.] A genus of Echinoderms, containing the common Five-rayed Star-fish, with allied species. Asterialite [see -LITE], a fossil star-fish. Asterid, Asteridian, an animal belonging to the Asteridæ or star-fish family.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 175. Asteriæ and entrochi … have a starry appearance.
1847. Carpenter, Zool., § 1012. The common Asterias, or Star-fish.
1876. Beneden, Anim. Parasites, 43. Delle Chiaie has lately observed on an asteria a Nereis squamosa.
1883. trans. Nordenskiold’s Voy. Vega, 74. Asterids of many kinds.
