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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

zo·di·ac

Audio Help [zoh-dee-ak] Pronunciation Key

–noun

an imaginary belt of the heavens, extending about 8° on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and principal planets. It contains twelve constellations and hence twelve divisions called signs of the zodiac. Each division, however, because of the precession of the equinoxes, now contains the constellation west of the one from which it took its name. Compare sign of the zodiac.

2.	a circular or elliptical diagram representing this belt, and usually containing pictures of the animals, human figures, etc., that are associated with the constellations and signs.

3.	a circuit or round.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME zodiaque < L zōdiacus < Gk zōidiakòs (kýklos) signal (circle), equiv. to zidi(on) animal sign (zô(ion) animal + -idion dim. suffix) + -akos -ac

]

—Related forms

zo·di·a·cal

Audio Help [zoh-dahy-uh-kuh

l] Pronunciation Key, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Zodiac

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

zo·di·ac Audio Help (zō'dē-āk') Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Astronomy A band of the celestial sphere extending about 8° to either side of the ecliptic that represents the path of the principal planets, the moon, and the sun.
2. In astrology, this band divided into 12 equal parts called signs, each 30° wide, bearing the name of a constellation for which it was originally named but with which it no longer coincides owing to the precession of the equinoxes.
3. A diagram or figure representing the zodiac.
A complete circuit; a circle.

[Middle English, from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakos (kuklos), (circle) of the zodiac, from zōidion, small represented figure, zodiacal sign, diminutive of zōion, living being; see zoon¹.]

zo·di'a·cal (-dī'ə-kəl) adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
zodiac

1390, from O.Fr. zodiaque, from L. zodiacus "zodiac," from Gk. zodiakos (kyklos) "zodiac (circle)," lit. "circle of little animals," from zodiaion, dim. of zoion "animal" (see zoo). In O.E. it was twelf tacna "the twelve signs," and in M.E. also Our Ladye's Waye and the Girdle of the Sky.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

zodiac
noun
1.	a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes
2.	(astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

zodiac Audio Help (zō'dē-āk') Pronunciation Key
A band of the celestial sphere extending about eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, representing the portion of the sky within which the paths of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets are found. In astrology, the zodiac is divided into 12 equal segments, each of which is named after a constellation through which the ecliptic passes in that region of the sky. The traditional beginning point of constellations is Aries, followed in calendrical order by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. See also equinox.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
zodiac

A band of the sky along which the sun, the moon, and most of the planets move. It is divided into twelve parts, with each part named for a nearby constellation.

Note: The twelve constellations, or signs, of the zodiac are important in astrology.

[Chapter:] Mythology and Folklore

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
zodiac

The imaginary band in the sky through which the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move. The twelve constellations in the band (Aquarius, Pisces, and so on) are the familiar signs of the zodiac used in astrology.

[Chapter:] Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Zodiac

Zo"di*ac\, n. [F. zodiaque (cf. It. zodiaco), fr. L. zodiacus, Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr. ?, dim. of zw^,on an animal, akin to ? living, ? to live.]

1. (Astron.) (a) An imaginary belt in the heavens, 16[deg] or 18[deg] broad, in the middle of which is the ecliptic, or sun's path. It comprises the twelve constellations, which one constituted, and from which were named, the twelve signs of the zodiac. (b) A figure representing the signs, symbols, and constellations of the zodiac.

2. A girdle; a belt. [Poetic & R.]

By his side, As in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword. --Milton.

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ZODIAC

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