libra

a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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noun, noun Li·brae

[lee-brahy, lahy-bree] , for 1.

Astronomy. the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between virgo and Serpens.

Astrology.

the seventh sign of the zodiac: the cardinal air sign. See illus. under zodiac.

Also, Li·bran. a person born under this sign, usually between September 23rd and October 22nd.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra literally, pair of scales, libra¹

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To libra

Collins

World English Dictionary

libra (ˈlaɪbrə)

—n , pl -brae
	an ancient Roman unit of weight corresponding to 1 pound, but equal to about 12 ounces

[C14: from Latin, literally: scales]

Libra (ˈliːbrə, ˈlɪbrən)

—n , Latin genitive Librae
1.	astronomy a small faint zodiacal constellation in the S hemisphere, lying between Virgo and Scorpius on the ecliptic
2.	astrology
	a. the Scales, Also called: the Balance the seventh sign of the zodiac, symbol ♎, having a cardinal air classification and ruled by the planet Venus. The sun is in this sign between about Sept 23 and Oct 22
	b. a person born under this sign

—*adj*
3.	astrology born under or characteristic of Libra

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

Libra

zodiac constellation, late 14c., from L. libra, lit. "pound, balance," from Mediterranean base *lithra- "a scale."

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

Libra

(lē'brə) Pronunciation Key
A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Libra (the Scales or Balance) is the seventh sign of the zodiac.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia

libra

the basic Roman unit of weight; after 268 BC it was about 5,076 English grains or equal to 0.722 pounds avoirdupois (0.329 kg). This pound was brought to Britain and other provinces where it became the standard for weighing gold and silver and for use in all commercial transactions. The abbreviation lb for pound is derived from libra. One-twelfth of the libra, the Roman uncia, is the ancestor of the English ounce

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Matching Quote

"Look you, Doubloon, your zodiac here is the life of man in one round chapter.... To begin: there's Aries, or the Ram—lecherous dog, he begets us; then, Taurus, or the Bull—he bumps us the first thing; then Gemini, or the Twins—that is, Virtue and Vice; we try to reach Virtue, when lo! comes Cancer the Crab, and drags us back; and here, going from Virtue, Leo, a roaring Lion, lies in the path—he gives a few fierce bites and surly dabs with his paw; we escape, and hail Virgo, the virgin! that's our first love; we marry and think to be happy for aye, when pop comes Libra, or the Scales—happiness weighed and found wanting; and while we are very sad about that, Lord! how we suddenly jump, as Scorpio, or the Scorpion, stings us in rear; we are curing the wound, when whang come the arrows all round; Sagittarius, or the Archer, is amusing himself. As we pluck out the shafts, stand aside! here's the battering-ram, Capricornus, or the Goat; full tilt, he comes rushing, and headlong we are tossed; when Aquarius, or the Waterbearer, pours out his whole deluge and drowns us; and, to wind up, with Pisces, or the Fishes, we sleep."

-Herman Melville

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librate Ophiuchus Scorpius uncial

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