Meanings
nounasteronym (plural asteronyms)
plural asteronyms
- raremediaAn asterism (⁂) or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work.
In this work Mr. Quérard treats of all persons who have written in French, in all parts of Europe, and have disguised themselves under anagrams, asteronyms, cryptonyms, initials, literary names, pseudonyms, facetious or strange, etc.
1871 June, “Anonymous and Pseudonymous Authors and Works”, in The National Quarterly Review, volume 23, number 45, New York: Edward I. Sears, page 48
Origin
From Ancient Greek ἀστήρ (astḗr, “star”) + -onym.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French astéronyme
- astéronymeasterism or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work
German Asteronym
- Asteronymasterism or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work
Polish asteronim
- asteronimasterism or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work
Romanian asteronim
- asteronimasterism or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work
Russian астроним
- астроним (astronim)asterism or similar symbol which replaces the name of the author in a literary work
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
asteronym. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/asteronym
MLA
“asteronym.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/asteronym. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “asteronym,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/asteronym.
Source: asteronym on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.