cluster

[kluhs-ter] /ˈklʌs tər/
noun
1.
a number of things of the same kind, growing or held together; a bunch:
a cluster of grapes.
2.
a group of things or persons close together:
There was a cluster of tourists at the gate.
3.
U.S. Army. a small metal design placed on a ribbon representing an awarded medal to indicate that the same medal has been awarded again:
oak-leaf cluster.
4.
Phonetics. a succession of two or more contiguous consonants in an utterance, as the str- cluster of strap.
5.
Astronomy. a group of neighboring stars, held together by mutual gravitation, that have essentially the same age and composition and thus supposedly a common origin.
Compare globular cluster, open cluster, stellar association.
verb (used with object)
6.
to gather into a cluster or clusters.
7.
to furnish or cover with clusters.
verb (used without object)
8.
to form a cluster or clusters:
The people clustered around to watch.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English cluster, clyster bunch; cognate with Low German kluster
Related forms
clusteringly, adverb
clustery, adjective
intercluster, adjective
subcluster, noun
unclustered, adjective
unclustering, adjective
Synonyms
8. group, gather, throng, crowd, bunch.
Examples from the web for clusters
  • The report also examines how full-time seniors in different clusters of majors spend their time beyond studying.
  • The first-time president clusters out-of-town meetings with alumni and donors to avoid too many overnights.
  • Running the algorithms, officials found clusters of behaviors that helped predict success.
  • Reduce office-staff expenses by pooling support-staff members in clusters of four and five departments.
  • Over time, probably, and even in some cases immediate clusters of grade inflation.
  • The tasters sit in clusters of three around tables arranged in horseshoe shape.
  • Then learn about the formation of star clusters and how the planets were formed.
  • Streaming northward, their work done, camping awhile in clusters of mighty camps.
  • clusters of gnats swimming and dancing in the air in all directions.
  • And lo, there about the hollow cave trailed a gadding garden vine, all rich with clusters.
British Dictionary definitions for clusters

cluster

/ˈklʌstə/
noun
1.
a number of things growing, fastened, or occurring close together
2.
a number of persons or things grouped together
3.
(US, military) a metal insignia worn on a medal ribbon to indicate a second award or a higher class of a decoration or order
4.
(military)
  1. a group of bombs dropped in one stick, esp fragmentation and incendiary bombs
  2. the basic unit of mines used in laying a minefield
5.
(astronomy) an aggregation of stars or galaxies moving together through space
6.
a group of two or more consecutive vowels or consonants
7.
(statistics) a naturally occurring subgroup of a population used in stratified sampling
8.
(chem)
  1. a chemical compound or molecule containing groups of metal atoms joined by metal-to-metal bonds
  2. the group of linked metal atoms present
verb
9.
to gather or be gathered in clusters
Derived Forms
clustered, adjective
clusteringly, adverb
clustery, adjective
Word Origin
Old English clyster; related to Low German Kluster; see clod, clot
Word Origin and History for clusters

cluster

n.

Old English clyster "cluster," probably from the same root as clot (n.). Of stars, from 1727. Cluster-bomb attested from 1967.

v.

late 14c. (transitive), from cluster (n.). Intransitive sense from 1540s. Related: Clustered; clustering.

Encyclopedia Article for clusters

cluster

Atoms and molecules are the smallest forms of matter typically encountered under normal conditions and are in that sense the basic building blocks of the material world. There are phenomena, such as lightning and electric discharges of other kinds, that allow free electrons to be observed, but these are exceptional occurrences. It is of course in its gaseous state that matter is encountered at its atomic or molecular level; in gases each molecule is an independent entity, only occasionally and briefly colliding with another molecule or with a confining wall.

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