Asterisk

Asterisk (Gr., 'a little star'), a sign or symbol (*) used in writing and printing, as a reference to a note at the bottom or on the margin of the page. The obelisk, or dagger (†), and many other marks, are similarly employed; but when there are several references on the same page, it is now common to use the numerals 1, 2, 3, &c. The asterisk often marks the omission of words or sentences, or it distinguishes words as conjectural or obscure, or it may be used merely as a typographical mark for any specified purpose.