zodiac

or Zo·di·ac

[ zoh-dee-ak ]

noun

1. 1. none the zodiac or the Zodiac, 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.
   2. 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.
2. Informal. sign of the zodiac:

   I checked out the zodiacs of some of my friends and was surprised at how well the descriptions captured aspects of their personalities.

3. a circuit or round.

zodiac

/ zəʊˈdaɪəkəl; ˈzəʊdɪˌæk /

noun

1. 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 it See zodiacal constellation
2. 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
3. rare.
   a complete circuit; circle

zodiac

/ zō′dē-ăk′ /

1. 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.
2. See also equinox

zodiac

¹

1. 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 .

zodiac

²

1. 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 .

Notes

The twelve constellations, or signs, of the zodiac are important in astrology .

Derived Forms

• zodiacal, adjective

Other Words From

• zo·di·a·cal [zoh-, dahy, -, uh, -k, uh, l], adjective
• non·zo·di·a·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zodiac¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakòs (kýklos) “signal (circle),” from zṓidi(on) “animal sign” ( zô(ion) “animal” + -idion, diminutive suffix) + -akos -ac

Word History and Origins

Origin of zodiac¹

C14: from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Greek zōidiakos ( kuklos ) (circle) of signs, from zōidion animal sign, carved figure, from zōion animal

Example Sentences

He leans over a display case containing a 14th century book on the zodiac and starts to read aloud from its object label.

From Los Angeles Times

“Rising Signs” explores medieval representations of the 12 signs of the zodiac through a fascinating selection of illustrations and devotional books from pre-modern Europe.

From Los Angeles Times

The Zodiac circle, chock full of stars from different corners of celebrity — to name a few, it included Lopez’s friend and former co-star Jane Fonda, Sofía Vergara, Post Malone and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson — was reason enough to watch.

From Los Angeles Times

We see a potent metaphor for the fourth sign of the zodiac in the Mono Silver Zeug cutlery set — a shiny smattering of tools for that sacred source of comfort: eating.

From Los Angeles Times

Early on our first Antarctic morning, in mercifully calm coastal waters, we set out on a small, inflatable boat called a zodiac.

From BBC

Related Words

• forecast
• forecasting
• guess
• indicator
• prognosis
• prophecy