Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Asterias \As*te"ri*as\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? starred, fr. 'asth`r
   star.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A genus of echinoderms.

   Note: Formerly the group of this name included nearly all
         starfishes and ophiurans. Now it is restricted to a
         genus including the commonest shore starfishes.