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**The widely used symbol “asterisk”**

In footnote symbols and computer character representations, asterisks (star symbols) can have special meanings.

### Shape

An asterisk is composed of line segments radiating from a central point. Unicode provides "⁎ U+204E LOW ASTERISK," which is not rendered in a high position. The number of line segments extending from the central point varies depending on the font.

### Name

The word "asterisk" entered Latin from Greek and is derived from the diminutive of "star" (aster, a small star). In general Japanese dictionaries, including the Nihon Kokugo Daijiten and Kojien, the English-sounding name "asterisk" is used.

### Usage

#### Footnote symbol

Asterisks are commonly used as footnote symbols. Multiple footnotes can be indicated by adding footnote numbers. However, the symbols may vary depending on the author's or publisher's discretion.

#### Computer

In computer character representations, an asterisk can have special meanings. It is often used as an operator to represent multiplication and exponentiation. It is also used as a symbol to represent any element.

### Q&A

Q: What is its purpose?

In footnote symbols and computer character representations, asterisks can have special meanings.

Q: What are some famous examples?

An example of an asterisk used as a multiplication symbol is "a * b" in FORTRAN source code.

English Summary

**The symbol “star” is widely used**

In footnote symbols and computer text representations, asterisks can have special meanings.

### Shape

An asterisk is made up of line segments that extend radially from the center point, and Unicode provides "⁎ U+204E LOW ASTERISK", which does not write it in a high position. The number of line segments extending from the center point varies depending on the font.

### Name

The word asterisk came from Greek and entered Latin, and is derived from the diminutive (small star) of star. The English-sounding name ``asterisk'' is used in general Japanese dictionaries, including the Japanese National Dictionary and Kojien.

### Usage

#### Footnote symbol

Asterisks are commonly used as footnote symbols. Multiple footnotes can be indicated by appending footnote numbers. However, the symbols may differ depending on the circumstances of the author or publisher.

#### Computer

Asterisks sometimes have special meaning in computer representations of characters. It is also often used as an operator to represent multiplication and exponentiation. It is also used as a symbol to indicate any element.

### Q&A

Q: What did you do?

In footnote symbols and computer text representations, asterisks can have special meanings.

Q: What are your famous works?

An example of an asterisk being used as a multiplication symbol is a × b in FORTRAN source code.

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