asterope
|a-ste-ro-pe|
/əˈstɛrəpi/
star-related (Pleiad) / star-faced
Etymology
'asterope' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the name 'Ἀστερόπη' (Asterópē), where 'aster-' meant 'star' and the element '-opē' is related to 'face' or 'appearance' (from ὄψ, 'ops', meaning 'eye/face').
'ἀστερόπη' (Ancient Greek) was Latinized as 'Asterope' in classical and medieval Latin/Greek scholarship and entered modern English usage through translations and mythological references as the proper name 'Asterope'.
Initially, it referred specifically to the mythological Pleiad named 'Asterope' (literally 'star-faced' or 'starry appearance'); over time the name was also applied to a star in the Pleiades cluster and later adopted as a scientific genus name in biology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in Greek mythology, one of the Pleiades (daughters of Atlas and Pleione); a mythological nymph.
asterope was listed among the Pleiades in the ancient genealogies.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the name of a star (or a pair of stars) in the Pleiades cluster, specifically associated with 21 Tauri (sometimes called the Asterope pair).
The telescope revealed two faint components of asterope within the Pleiades.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a genus name in biology (a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae).
Researchers discovered a new species within the genus asterope in the rainforest survey.
Last updated: 2025/11/06 03:24