astrology

[uh-strol-uh-jee]

noun

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

2. Obsolete.,  the science of astronomy.

astrology

/ ˌæstrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, əˈstrɒlədʒɪ /

noun

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

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

astrology

1. 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).)

Other Word Forms

• astrological adjective
• astrologer noun
• astrologically adverb
• astrologist noun
• astrologic adjective
• astrologous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrology¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrology¹

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

Example Sentences

"The idea that you can be good at reading people is absolute nonsense, and it's just like astrology or anything else," he said before heading into the castle.

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In 2008, he co-authored a paper that challenged astrology using a statistical method.

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Chelsea, ever the astrology girly, foreshadowed her doom, noting that bad things happen in threes after she evaded death twice — the jewelry store robbery and the venomous snake bite.

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Many young Chinese have recently turned to psychics and astrology as a way of trying to allay their fears of the future.

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Chani refers to Saturn as “a threshold deity” because, for thousands of years in ancient astrology, it was the last planet we could see without a telescope.

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Related Words

• horoscope