pentagram

Etymology

From Ancient Greek πεντάγραμμον (pentágrammon), noun form of the adjectives πεντάγραμμος (pentágrammos) and πεντέγραμμος (pentégrammos, “five-lined, having five lines”). Equivalent to penta- + gram.

noun

1. The shape of a five-pointed star constructed of five intersecting lines meeting at the vertices, such that a central pentagon and five surrounding isosceles triangles are formed; often with magical connotations; a 5/2 (or 5/3) star polygon.
   Prove that the circles so belonging to the 6 pentagrams formed by 6 lines meet in a point, and so on; the series of theorems being interminable. 1871, W. J. C. Miller, editor, Mathematical Questions and Solutions, volume XV, page 47
   The passive pentagrams of spirit are drawn first in the quarters of the passive elements—water and earth—and likewise followed by the appropriate traditional elemental pentagram. 2007, Christopher Penczak, The Temple of High Witchcraft: Ceremonies, Spheres, and the Witches' Qabalah, page 345
   Four figures involve 12 pentagrams arranged as in the faces of a dodecahedron with their vertices touching. 2012, John Barnes, Gems of Geometry, page 59