Capricorn

[ kap-ri-kawrn ]

noun

1. Astronomy. the Goat, a zodiacal constellation between Sagittarius and Aquarius.
2. Astrology.
   1. the tenth sign of the zodiac: the cardinal earth sign.
   2. a person born under this sign, usually between December 22nd and January 19th.
3. tropic of Capricorn. tropic1a

Capricorn

/ ˈkæprɪˌkɔːn /

noun

1. astrology
   1. Also calledthe GoatCapricornus the tenth sign of the zodiac, symbol ♑, having a cardinal earth classification and ruled by the planet Saturn. The sun is in this sign between about Dec 22 and Jan 19
   2. a person born during the period when the sun is in this sign
2. See Capricornus
   astronomy another name for Capricornus
3. See tropic
   tropic of Capricorn
   tropic of Capricorn See tropic

adjective

1. astrology born under or characteristic of Capricorn

Capricorn

/ kăp′rĭ-kôrn′ /

1. A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Aquarius and Sagittarius. Capricorn (the Goat) is the tenth sign of the zodiac.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capricorn¹

1350–1400; Middle English Capricorne < Latin Capricornus (translation of Greek aigókerōs goat-horned), equivalent to capri- capri- + corn ( u ) horn + -us adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capricorn¹

C14: from Latin Capricornus (translating Greek aigokerōs goat-horned), from caper goat + cornū horn

Example Sentences

Taurus longs for emotional healing, Virgo gets compulsive, and Capricorn trusts his instinct.

From The Daily Beast

CAPRICORN If ever you should go with your gut, now is the time.

From The Daily Beast

CAPRICORN Communication is likely to break down this week with Mars opposing a battle-worn Chiron in Pisces.

From The Daily Beast

Pluto in Capricorn, trine Jupiter, says you heal through creative expression, by finding humor even in horror.

From The Daily Beast

Libra pairs up for a project, Capricorn gets flashbacks, and Scorpio puts out fires.

From The Daily Beast

At winter solstice, the vertical rays strike 23½° S. latitude, the Tropic of Capricorn.

From Project Gutenberg

A beetle, of the species called capricorn, was found in a piece of wood in the hold of a ship at Plymouth.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun was entering the tropic of Capricorn, and gave the longest days in the year.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun enters the cardinal and tropical sign Capricorn on the 22nd, attaining his greatest austral declination at 1h.

From Project Gutenberg

M. de Courteille translates the quoted sentence as I have done, but with Capricorn for Pole-star.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Capricorn

What does Capricorn mean?

Capricorn is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as resembling a goat. It is also called The Goat.

A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Capricorn is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac.

In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move.

Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Capricorn is one of these signs. It is situated between Sagittarius and Aquarius and is considered the tenth sign of the zodiac.

The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Pisces.

The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Capricorn are those born between December 22 and January 19.

The word Capricorn can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in early January, so I’m a Capricorn. The word Capricornian can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Capricorn.

Example: Dara is such a Capricorn—she’s so confident and creative.

Capricorn dates

People with the sign Capricorn are traditionally considered to be those born in the range of December 22–January 19. However, interpretations vary.

Where does Capricorn come from?

The first records of the word Capricorn in English come from the late 1300s. It comes from the Latin Capricornus, a translation of the Greek aigókerōs, meaning “goat-horned.”

In astrology, the different signs of the zodiac are thought to be associated with certain personality traits. Traits associated with Capricorn include creativity and confidence. Capricorn and the other signs of the zodiac are often used in the context of a person’s horoscope. The word horoscope can refer to a diagram of the heavens that maps the relative position of planets and the signs of the zodiac. It can also refer to a prediction based (or said to be based) on a person’s sign and the location of other celestial bodies at the time they were born.

The imaginary line that circles the globe about one-quarter of the way between the equator and the South Pole is called the Tropic of Capricorn. It’s the point at which the Sun is directly overhead during the December solstice. (The line known as the Tropic of Cancer is between the equator and the North Pole.)

It’s called the Tropic of Capricorn because, when it was named, the Sun was in the constellation Capricorn at the time of the December solstice.

 

Get more insight into what really defines a Capricorn by visiting our article on the many traits of Capricorns.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to Capricorn?

• Capricornian (adjective, noun)

What are some synonyms for Capricorn?

• The Goat
• Capricornian (when Capricorn is used as a noun referring to a person)

What are some words that share a root or word element with Capricorn?

• Tropic of Capricorn
• caper

What are some words that often get used in discussing Capricorn?

• constellation
• zodiac
• sign
• sign of the zodiac
• zodiacal constellation
• December
• January
• goat
• astrology
• astronomy

How is Capricorn used in real life?

The word Capricorn is used to refer to the constellation or the sign of the zodiac named after the constellation. In the context of astrology, people associate a number of different traits with the sign Capricorn.

capricorn

dive into honoring your inner child. you've been worrying a lot & spirit just wants you to relax and do things that make you feel joy. a lot of beautiful things are unraveling for you soon. ✨

— farmer cloud🧑🏾‍🌾 (@clouduncovered) March 15, 2021

My birthday month is here!! Where are my fellow Capricorns? 💖💖💖

— Louisianna Purchase (@MadamLPurchase) December 1, 2021

Colorado, check out the moon tonight if you can. It’s bright & full. Then look right to see Jupiter shining brightly too, and then Saturn just beyond it, both inside the constellation Capricorn. 🌌 pic.twitter.com/Wtow3enfLM

— Jen Greenfield PhD/MSW (she/her) (@jcgreenfield) September 21, 2021

Try using Capricorn!

True or False?

The constellation Capricorn is situated between Sagittarius and Aquarius.