genethliac

[ juh-neth-lee-ak ]

adjective

, Astrology.

1. of or relating to birthdays or to the position of the stars at one's birth.

Other Words From

• gen·eth·li·a·cal·ly [jen-ith-, lahy, -ik-lee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of genethliac¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin genethliacus “pertaining to one’s hour of birth or one's birthday; an astrologer who calculates such an hour or day,” from Latin genethliacus “one who casts horoscopes,” from Greek genethliakós, equivalent to genéthli(os) “pertaining to one's birth” (derivative of genéthlē “birth”) + -akos -ac

Example Sentences

Genethliac, -al, jē-neth′li-ak, -al, adj. pertaining to a birthday or nativity.—n. a birthday poem.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Arch-genethliac: a genethliac is a calculator of nativities—an astrologer.

From Project Gutenberg

Doubtless this was partly attributable to the scarcity of food which prevailed; but that the authorities traced it also to some secret ceremonials is evident from the law which was immediately passed forbidding the Indians to wear the piochtli, or scalp-lock, a portion of the hair preserved from birth as part of the genethliac rituals,32-§ and the especial enactments against the octli.

From Project Gutenberg

He wrote it down in the native tongue about forty years ago, as recited by an ah-kih, “reader of days,” a native master of the genethliac art, who had composed it in favor of a client who had asked his intercession.

From Project Gutenberg

He wrote, among many other Volumes, several Books of Epigrams, his Cigneo Cantio, a Genethliac of Prince Edward, Nani� upon the death of Sir Thomas Wiat, out of which we shall present you with these Verses: Transtulit in nostram Davidis carmina linguam, Et numeros magna reddidit arte pares.

From Project Gutenberg