astĕriscus, i, m., = ἀστερίσκος,
a small star , an asterisk , as a typographical mark placed before imperfect , deficient passages of authors : * asteriscus apponitur in his, quae omissa sunt, Isid. Orig. 1, 20, 2; so Hier. in Rufin. 2, 8; Aug. Ep. ad Hier. 10, 2 al.
·noun The smaller of the two otoliths found in the inner ear of many fishes. ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language