structural:reformatting
Etymology and pronunciation

The original name Compositae is still valid under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. It refers to the "composite" nature of the capitula, which consist of a few or many individual flowers.

The alternative (as it came later) name Asteraceae (English: / ˌ æ s t ə ˈ r eɪ s i, - s i ˌ aɪ, - s i ˌ eɪ, - s i ˌ iː /) comes to international scientific vocabulary from Neo-Latin, from Aster, the type genus, + -aceae, a standardized suffix for plant family names in modern taxonomy. This genus name comes from the Classical Latin word aster, "star", which came from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ (astḗr), "star". It refers to the star-like form of the inflorescence.

The vernacular name daisy, widely applied to members of this family, is derived from the Old English name of the daisy (Bellis perennis): dæġes ēaġe, meaning "day's eye". This is because the petals open at dawn and close at dusk.