stellate

American  

[stel-it, -eyt] / ˈstɛl ɪt, -eɪt /

Often stellated

adjective

1. like the form of a conventionalized figure of a star; star-shaped.

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stellate British  

/ -eɪt, ˈstɛlɪt /

adjective

1. resembling a star in shape; radiating from the centre

   a stellate arrangement of petals

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Other Word Forms

• stellately adverb

Etymology

Origin of stellate

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin stellātus “starry,” equivalent to stell(a) star + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Researchers found that a protein called periostin, along with stellate cells in the pancreas, plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells invade nearby nerves.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2026

While silybin led to modest improvements in liver enzymes, collagen buildup, and fibrotic gene expression, its benefits appeared to come mainly from protecting liver cells rather than directly blocking stellate cell activation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

In human LX-2 and rat HSC-T6 stellate cells stimulated with TGFβ1, silybin only slightly lowered key fibrosis-related markers such as COL1A1, COL1A2, ACTA2, and TGFB.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

In its first iteration, Maris’ stellate insignia consisted of silver plastic stars from Party City, placed like tears to match the somber music she made at the time.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

Then, a bell sounds, and acrasin is released by special cells toward which the others converge in stellate ranks, touch, fuse together, and construct the slug, solid as a trout.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas