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Zodiac - 7 dictionary results
zo⋅di⋅ac
[zoh-dee-ak] 
–noun
| 1. | 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 z
idi(on) animal sign (zô(ion) animal + -idion dim. suffix) + -akos -ac 
1350–1400; ME zodiaque < L zōdiacus < Gk zōidiakòs (kýklos) signal (circle), equiv. to z
idi(on) animal sign (zô(ion) animal + -idion dim. suffix) + -akos -ac Related forms:
zo⋅di⋅a⋅cal [zoh-dahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
[zoh-dahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To Zodiac
| zo·di·ac (zō'dē-āk') n.
[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. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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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.
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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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| zodiac (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. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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