zodiac

or Zo·di·ac

[ zoh-dee-ak ]

noun

1. 1. none the zodiac or the Zodiac, 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.
   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.
2. Informal. sign of the zodiac:

   I checked out the zodiacs of some of my friends and was surprised at how well the descriptions captured aspects of their personalities.

3. a circuit or round.

zodiac

/ zəʊˈdaɪəkəl; ˈzəʊdɪˌæk /

noun

1. an imaginary belt extending 8° either side of the ecliptic, which contains the 12 zodiacal constellations and within which the moon and planets appear to move. It is divided into 12 equal areas, called signs of the zodiac , each named after the constellation which once lay in it See zodiacal constellation
2. astrology a diagram, usually circular, representing this belt and showing the symbols, illustrations, etc, associated with each of the 12 signs of the zodiac, used to predict the future
3. rare.
   a complete circuit; circle

zodiac

/ zō′dē-ăk′ /

1. 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.
2. See also equinox

zodiac

¹

1. 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 .

zodiac

²

1. 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 .

Notes

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

Derived Forms

• zodiacal, adjective

Other Words From

• zo·di·a·cal [zoh-, dahy, -, uh, -k, uh, l], adjective
• non·zo·di·a·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zodiac¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakòs (kýklos) “signal (circle),” from zṓidi(on) “animal sign” ( zô(ion) “animal” + -idion, diminutive suffix) + -akos -ac

Word History and Origins

Origin of zodiac¹

C14: from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakos ( kuklos ) (circle) of signs, from zōidion animal sign, carved figure, from zōion animal

Example Sentences

The Zodiac mod vaporizer I admired behind the glass in BeyondVape is gorgeous, but it also costs $220.

From The Daily Beast

Leo is strategic, the queen on the chessboard, the prime mover of the zodiac.

From The Daily Beast

Zodiac signs correspond to seven-year spans of life; Cancer, with college and coming of age.

From The Daily Beast

From the resourceful rat to the fertile pig, the 12 zodiac heads ostensibly represent different periods in the Chinese calendar.

From The Daily Beast

This second zodiac sign rules the human age of innocence, 7-14 years.

From The Daily Beast

The detrimentum is the sign of the Zodiac opposite to the planet's mansion.

From Project Gutenberg

This shews that Mars was, at first, further advanced than Venus along the Zodiac.

From Project Gutenberg

The signs of the zodiac were worshipped, and the constellations not in that important circle did not go without adoration.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be found on the outside, or square planisphere, of the zodiac of the Temple of Denderah.

From Project Gutenberg

The Zodiac is the zone of stars traversed by the Sun in the course of a year.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• forecast
• forecasting
• guess
• indicator
• prognosis
• prophecy