zodiac
[ zoh-dee-ak ]
/ ˈzoʊ diˌæk /
noun
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.Compare sign of the zodiac.
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.
a circuit or round.
Nearby words
zoanthropy, zoar, zoarium, zocor, zod., zodiac, zodiacal constellation, zodiacal light, zoe, zoea, zoetrope
Origin of zodiac
1350–1400; Middle English zodiaque < Latin zōdiacus < Greek zōidiakòs (kýklos) signal (circle), equivalent to zṓidi(on) animal sign (zô(ion) animal + -idion diminutive suffix) + -akos -ac
Related forms
zo·di·a·cal [zoh-dahy-uh-kuh l] /zoʊˈdaɪ ə kəl/, adjectivenon·zo·di·a·cal, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for zodiac
British Dictionary definitions for zodiac
zodiac
/ (ˈzəʊdɪˌæk) /
noun
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 itSee zodiacal constellation
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
rare a complete circuit; circle
Derived Forms
zodiacal (zəʊˈdaɪəkəl), adjectiveWord Origin for zodiac
C14: from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakos (kuklos) (circle) of signs, from zōidion animal sign, carved figure, from zōion animal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Science definitions for zodiac
zodiac
[ zō′dē-ăk′ ]
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. See also equinox.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for zodiac (1 of 2)
zodiac
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.
Note
The twelve constellations, or signs, of the zodiac are important in astrology.
Culture definitions for zodiac (2 of 2)
zodiac
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.