starline

English

Etymology

From star +‎ line.

Noun

starline (plural starlines)

1. (astronomy) A hypothetical or theoretical line connecting a series of stars within a cluster or constellation.
2. (science fiction) A company that flies commercial starships.
   • 2007, Cory Williams, The Taking of Cyndriel's Hope, page 14:

     At the gate terminals that serviced the various commercial passenger starlines, thousands of beings—humanoid and non—went about their business laboring in numerous capacities to keep the port operating smmothly, cleanly, and safely.

   • 2011, Robert Silverberg, The Silent Invaders:

     Passengers transshipping to other starlines should go to the nearest routing desk at once.

   • 2019, Paul Elliott, Hostile, page 101:

     These starlines are integral to the megacorporate business model, used for both transportation of raw materials and finished goods for all of the businesses within the corporate group.