starburst

Meanings

Noun

• A violent explosion, or the pattern (likened to the shape of a star) supposed to be made by such an explosion.
• A symbol similar to an asterisk, but with additional rays: ✺.
• A region of space with an unusually high rate of star formation.
• A period in time during which a region of space experiences an unusually high rate of star formation.

Verb

• To experience an unusually high rate of star formation.
• To explode; to burst out violently via, or in such a manner as to cause, an explosion.
• To make a starburst pattern.
• To refract and sparkle.

Origin

• star + burst