† 1. A comet. Obs.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 36. This yere … a blasing Sterre.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 344/1. In the moneth of Maie … a blasing starre appeared, descending in the north-west, the beard whereof streamed into the south-east.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, I. iii. 91. And wee might haue a good woman borne but ore euerie blazing starre, or at an earthquake, ’twould mend the Lotterie well.
1640–1. Ld. J. Digby, Sp. in Ho. Com., 9 Feb., 7. I looked upon it … with terrour, as upon a Commet, a blasing starre.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 127, ¶ 5. The same Prognostication as the Tail of a Blazing Star.
1762. Falconer, Shipwr., III. 563. Advances to the sun some blazing star.
2. fig. The brilliant center of admiration; ‘cynosure,’ ‘star’ arch.
1460. Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866), 54. Heyle blasyng starre withowte peere! I beseche the as thou art moder of mercy.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Mowbray’s Ban., xiii. Proud I that would alone be blasyng sterre.
1611. Barksted, Hiren (1876), 106. Her beauty like a blazing starre admired.
1634. S. R., Noble Soldier, III. i. in Bullen, O. Pl. (1882), I. 291. But that I must be held Spaines blazing Starre.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xlviii. She has been the ruling belle—the blazing star—the universal toast of the winter.
† 3. = BLAZE sb.2 1.
1705. Lond. Gaz., No. 4183/4. A bay Gelding … 3 white Feet, a Blazing Star.
4. The popular name of three different North American plants: Alteris farinosa, Chamælirium luteum, and Liatris squarrosa.
