asterisk

1. A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star. (dated)
2. The star-shaped symbol *, which is used in printing and writing for various purposes, including to refer a reader to a note at the bottom of a page or in a margin, and to indicate the omission of letters or words; a star. (dated)
3. Something resembling or shaped like an asterisk symbol. (dated)
4. Something which is of little importance or which is marginal; a footnote. (dated, figuratively)
5. A blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement. (US, dated, figuratively) · They came into the tournament highly ranked, but with a little bit of an asterisk as their last two wins had been unconvincing.
6. An instrument with radiating arms resembling a star which is placed over the diskos (or paten) used during the Eucharist to prevent the veil covering the chalice and diskos from touching the host on the diskos. (dated)

Plural asterisks