Zool. [f. Gr. στερρ-ός stiff, solid + ἀστήρ star.] A stellate sponge-spicule having very numerous rays soldered together for the greater part of their length.
1887. Sollas, in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 417/2. Connective tissue fibres by which adjacent sterrasters are united together. Ibid. (1888), in Challenger Rep., XXV. p. lxiv.
Hence Sterrastral a., pertaining to, or composed of, sterrasters.
1888. Sollas, in Challenger Rep., XXV. p. cxliv. Thus a strong tough composite sclerose and fibrous layer results, which we shall term the ‘sterrastral layer.’
1900. Proc. Zool. Soc., 130. When a bud is detached, a shallow circular depression remains, the sterrastral crust here being thin.
