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  • libra
    libra
    noun
    the ancient Roman pound (containing 5053 grains or 327.4 grams).
  • Libra
    Libra
    noun
    the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Serpens.
Synonyms

libra

1 American  
[lahy-bruh, lee-] / ˈlaɪ brə, ˈli- /

noun

librae plural
  1. the ancient Roman pound (containing 5053 grains or 327.4 grams).


libra 2 American  
[lee-vrah] / ˈli vrɑ /

noun

libras plural
  1. sol.


Libra 3 American  
[lee-bruh, lahy-] / ˈli brə, ˈlaɪ- /

noun

Librae genitive
  1. Astronomy. the Balance, a zodiacal constellation between Virgo and Serpens.

  2. Astrology.

    1. the seventh sign of the zodiac: the cardinal air sign.

    2. Also Libran. a person born under this sign, usually between September 23rd and October 22nd.


libra 1 British  
/ ˈlaɪbrə /

noun

  1. an ancient Roman unit of weight corresponding to 1 pound, but equal to about 12 ounces

"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

Libra 2 British  
/ ˈliːbrə /

noun

  1. astronomy a small faint zodiacal constellation in the S hemisphere, lying between Virgo and Scorpius on the ecliptic

  2. astrology

    1. Also called: the Scales.   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

    2. a person born under this sign

"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

adjective

  1. astrology born under or characteristic of Libra

"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
Libra Scientific  
/ lēbrə /
  1. A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Scorpius and Virgo. Libra (the Scales or Balance) is the seventh sign of the zodiac.


Usage

What does Libra mean? Libra is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as representing a pair of scales. It is also known as the Scales or the Balance. A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Libra 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. Libra is one of these signs. It is situated between Virgo and Scorpio and is considered the seventh sign of the zodiac. The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, 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 Libra are those born between September 23 and October 22. The word Libra can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in late October, so I’m a Libra. The word Libran can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Libra. Example: Oh, your birthday is in October? Are you a Libra?

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of libra1

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra

Origin of libra2

< Spanish < Latin lībra libra 1

Origin of Libra3

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lībra literally, pair of scales, libra 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then it is immediately dried and kept in a hot place, lest it turn into oil; and afterward when crushed, a libra of lead-ash is mixed with it.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

The third consists of three librae of vitriol, one of saltpetre, half a libra of asbestos, and half a libra of baked bricks.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

The alloy when cooled is again crushed to powder, one libra of which is absorbed by four pounds of molten silver.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

To this copper is added eight centumpondia of poor argentiferous lead, each centumpondium of which contains an uncia and a drachma of silver, or a total of three-quarters of a libra of silver.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

When cooled and crushed, it is washed, then to it is added a libra of silver, a third of copper filings, a sixth of litharge, and it is likewise heated again until it melts.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

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