astroite, astroit, astrite, asterite

[In Fr. astroite; Lat. asterites, as trites; Gr. ἄστρον (astron), or ἀστήρ (aster) = a star, and suff. -ite = like.] [ASTERIA.] 1. Gen. Any star-stone, i.e., stone of a radiate structure or superficially radiated, whether a mineral or a fo il organism, the nece ity of precise identifications in such matters never having been popularly understood. Hence various radiated minerals, also joints of fo il encrinites, and anything similar, have by one unscientific person or other been designated as astroites or star - stones . "Astroites or star-stones "-Brome: Travel a (1700), p. 12. ( Hall i well : Cont. to Lexic.) "In the arable grounds towards Barton, lying on a bed of stone, has been found a species of the astroite, or starry-stone, very beautiful, deeply intagliated or engraven like a seal."- Warton : Hist. of Kidding ton, p. 25. 2. Spec . An ancient gem, called by Pliny asteria. Some have thought this the mineral nained cats ' -eye, which po e es a certain faint resemblance to a star, in having a fibrous substance; others, amianthus or asbestus enclosed in quartz; but both Phillips and Dana regard it as a variety of the sapphire-that sometimes called the asteriated sapphire . [ASTERIA.]