INSpiREzine Stars! | Page 7

The word “star” originates from the Middle English word sterre, which is from

the Old English word steorra, which is from the Proto-Germanic word sterron.

This can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European h₂stḗr which means to

"glow or shine”. As well, “star” has the same root as the Greek aster, as in

asterisk - a star symbol.

What is a Star?

There are several definitions of a star. Let’s look at three specific types of stars: A Celebrity. A Geometrical Shape. An Astronomical Object.