Ophiuchus
[of-ee-yoo-kuh s, oh-fee-]
- the Serpent Bearer, a constellation on the celestial equator between Libra and Aquila.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ophiuchus
Historical Examples
And so they were utterly defeated at the Battle of Ophiuchus.
A Question of CourageJesse Franklin Bone
Its place was near the heel of the right foot of 'Ophiuchus huge.'
Myths and Marvels of AstronomyRichard A. Proctor
Ophiuchus is thus represented as holding the serpent with both hands.
Astronomy for Young FolksIsabel Martin Lewis
The children did, and placed pebbles for the head and shoulders of Ophiuchus.
The Star PeopleGaylord Johnson
It is writhing in the hands of Ophiuchus, the old man who is called ‘The Serpent-bearer.’
The Star PeopleGaylord Johnson
Ophiuchus
- a large constellation lying on the celestial equator between Hercules and Scorpius and containing the dark nebula, Ophiuchus Nebula
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Word Origin
C17: via Latin from Greek Ophioukhos, from ophis snake + ekhein to hold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for ophiuchus
Ophiuchus
constellation (representing Aesculapius), 1650s, from Latin, from Greek ophioukhos, literally "holding a serpent," from ophis "serpent" (see ophio-) + stem of ekhein "to hold, have, keep" (see scheme (n.)). The constellation is equatorial, and Milton's "Ophiuchus huge in th' Arctick Sky" ("Paradise Lost") is a rare lapse for a poet who generally knew his astronomy.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper