Definition of "star-shell" [star-shell]

• Milit, a thin iron shell for light muzzle-loading guns, filled with stars, and fired to light up an enemy's position at night. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "He raised a flare pistol and fired a single star-shell round that burst directly over one of the shops."
• "Anne Abbott was one of those exceedingly rare plain girls whose smiles completely transform them, as abruptly as the bursting of a star-shell."
• "Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him crouching beside his prisoner."