astrology

[ uh-strol-uh-jee ]

/ əˈstrɒl ə dʒi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR astrology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.

Obsolete. the science of astronomy.

Nearby words

Origin of astrology

1325–75; Middle English < Latin astrologia < Greek. See astro-, -logy

Related formsas·trol·o·ger, as·trol·o·gist, nounas·tro·log·i·cal

[a-struh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌæ strəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, as·tro·log·ic, as·trol·o·gous

[uh-strol-uh-guh s] /əˈstrɒl ə gəs/, adjectiveas·tro·log·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for astrologer

“The last thing we need is another layer,” says astrologer Miller.
Astrologers Predict Holiday Hell|Gina Piccalo|November 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
We had the better team and anyhow our astrologer had picked the day.
Obama's Awkward Indonesia Trip|Sahil Mahtani, Kenneth Weisbrode|November 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST
These same great lords do not dare to move a step contrary to what their astrologer tells them.
Standard Selections|Various
The question could only mean that Zeno was taken, and Zo grasped the astrologer's arm in sudden fear.
Arethusa|F. Marion Crawford

He would grow up, the astrologer said, to be a great warrior.
Genghis Khan, Makers of History Series|Jacob Abbott
Upon which the astrologer addressed him: God damn thee and the Guelph party, with your distrustful malice!
The Civilisation of the Renaissance in Italy|Jacob Burckhardt
When these have been satisfactorily concluded, an auspicious day for the wedding is selected in consultation with the astrologer.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston

British Dictionary definitions for astrologer

astrology

/ (əˈstrɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of the motions and relative positions of the planets, sun, and moon, interpreted in terms of human characteristics and activities

the primitive study of celestial bodies, which formed the basis of astronomy

Derived Formsastrologer or astrologist, nounastrological (ˌæstrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveastrologically, adverb

Word Origin for astrology

C14: from Old French astrologie, from Latin astrologia, from Greek, from astrologos (originally: astronomer); see astro-, -logy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for astrologer

astrologer

late 14c., from astrology + -er (1). Drove out French import astrologein, which, had it survived, probably would have yielded *astrologian; cf. Chaucer's "The wise Astrologen." Earliest recorded reference is to roosters as announcers of sunrise.

astrology

late 14c., from Latin astrologia "astronomy, the science of the heavenly bodies," from Greek astrologia "telling of the stars," from astron "star" (see astro-) + -logia "treating of" (see -logy).

Originally identical with astronomy, it had also a special sense of "practical astronomy, astronomy applied to prediction of events." This was divided into natural astrology "the calculation and foretelling of natural phenomenon" (tides, eclipses, etc.), and judicial astrology "the art of judging occult influences of stars on human affairs" (also known as astromancy, 1650s). Differentiation between astrology and astronomy began late 1400s and by 17c. this word was limited to "reading influences of the stars and their effects on human destiny."

Culture definitions for astrologer

astrology

A study of the positions and relationships of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in order to judge their influence on human actions. Astrology, unlike astronomy, is not a scientific study and has been much criticized by scientists. (See zodiac (see also zodiac).)