TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

ASTERISM [7 records]

Record 1 2024-10-23

English

Subject field(s)
  • Theoretical Astronomy
  • The Stars (Astronomy)
DEF

A pattern of stars that is not one of the traditionally established, named constellations ...

OBS

For example, the familiar shape of the Plough or Big Dipper is an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major, while the Square of Pegasus and the False Cross are asterisms formed from stars of more than one constellation.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Astronomie théorique
  • Étoiles (Astronomie)
DEF

Figure remarquable que forment, vues de la Terre, des étoiles n'appartenant pas nécessairement à la même constellation.

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 2024-07-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Various Proper Names
  • Astronomy
DEF

... the shape formed by the seven main stars of the constellation Ursa Minor, which resembles a smaller version of the Big Dipper, or Plough, formed by seven stars in Ursa Major.

OBS

The Little Dipper is an asterism, not a constellation.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Appellations diverses
  • Astronomie
OBS

Astérisme de la Petite Ourse.

Spanish

Save record 2

Record 3 2017-10-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Various Proper Names
  • Astronomy
CONT

The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. Although part of the constellation of the Great Bear(Ursa Major), the Big Dipper is an asterism that has been known by different names to different societies.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Appellations diverses
  • Astronomie
CONT

... la Grande Casserole. Ce regroupement d'étoiles sur la sphère céleste est sans doute une des rares choses qui a été vue et qui sera vue par les humains de chaque génération. Mais la Grande Casserole n'est pas en soi une constellation. Elle est en fait un astérisme qui fait partie de la constellation de la Grande Ourse (Ursa Major).

Spanish

Save record 3

Record 4 2017-08-31

English

Subject field(s)
  • Various Proper Names
  • Astronomy
Universal entry(ies)
CONT

The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. Although part of the constellation of the Great Bear(Ursa Major), the Big Dipper is an asterism that has been known by different names to different societies.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Appellations diverses
  • Astronomie
Entrée(s) universelle(s)
DEF

Constellation dont les sept étoiles principales dessinent la forme d'une grande casserole.

Spanish

Save record 4

Record 5 2013-08-23

English

Subject field(s)
  • Mineralogy
  • Gemmology
  • Jewellery
  • Optics
DEF

An appearance of light in the shape of a six-rayed star seen in some crystals, as in star sapphire.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Minéralogie
  • Gemmologie
  • Joaillerie et bijouterie
  • Optique
DEF

Phénomène lumineux observé sur certains cristaux (saphir, grenat, émeraude etc.) qui possèdent la propriété de réfléchir une lumière intense sous forme d'une étoile à six branches appelée astérie [...]

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Mineralogía
  • Estudio de las gemas
  • Artículos de joyería
  • Óptica
DEF

Fenómeno luminoso que se traduce por la formación de asterias en los cristales expuestos a una luz muy viva.

Save record 5

Record 6 2000-06-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Gemmology
  • Jewellery
DEF

Like a star, with rays diverging from a center.

OBS

asterism :... Minerals having this feature are called asteriated or star.

CONT

Asteriated or star beryl.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Gemmologie
  • Joaillerie et bijouterie
DEF

Se dit d'une pierre précieuse taillée qui, exposée à la lumière, diffuse des étoiles.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Estudio de las gemas
  • Artículos de joyería
Save record 6

Record 7 1993-11-02

English

Subject field(s)
  • Jewellery
  • Goldsmithing and Silversmithing
  • Gemmology
CONT

The six-raged glow, or asterism, of a star-cut... is produced by the reflexions from myriad tiny needles that are oriented along the three horizontal directions of the... internal structure.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Joaillerie et bijouterie
  • Orfèvrerie et argenterie
  • Gemmologie
CONT

[La] taille à étoile [...] présente au centre une table hexagone, dont le diamètre doit être [...] du quart de la grandeur de la pierre.

Spanish

Save record 7

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