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zodiac

zo·diac

UK/ˈzəʊ.dɪˌæk/ US/ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/ fairly common

noun

1.

a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes

2.

(astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs

Origin

From Middle English zodiak (late 14th century), from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Ancient Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος] (zōidiakós [kúklos], “[circle] of little animals”), from ζῴδιον (zōídion), the diminutive of ζῷον (zōîon, “animal”).

Phrases

  • Chinese zodiac
  • Dendera zodiac
  • Denderah zodiac
  • Mesopotamian zodiac
  • sign of the zodiac
  • zodiac sign
  • zodiacal light

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.