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Webster 1913 Edition
Zodiac
Zo′di-ac
,Noun.
[F.
zodiaque
(cf. It. zodiaco
), fr. L. zodiacus
, Gr. [GREEK] (sc. [GREEK]), fr. [GREEK], dim. of ζῶ,ον
an animal, akin to [GREEK] living, [GREEK] to live.] 1.
(Astron.)
(a)
An imaginary belt in the heavens, 16° or 18° broad, in the middle of which is the ecliptic, or sun’s path. It comprises the twelve constellations, which one constituted, and from which were named, the twelve signs of the zodiac.
(b)
A figure representing the signs, symbols, and constellations of the zodiac.
2.
A girdle; a belt.
[Poetic & R.]
By his side,
As in a glistering
As in a glistering
zodiac
, hung the sword. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Zodiac
ZODIAC
,Noun.
2.
A girdle.Definition 2024
Zodiac
zodiac
zodiac
English
Alternative forms
Noun
zodiac (plural zodiacs)
- (astrology) The belt-like region of the celestial sphere approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic which include the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
- (astrology) The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
- (astronomy) The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
- Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
- 1998, Sylvia Sikundar and Barbara DuMoulin, Celebrating Our Cultures, Pembroke Publishers Limited, ISBN 978-1-55138-102-2, page 58:
- Discussing both Chinese and Western zodiacs might be a prewriting activity.
- 1998, Sylvia Sikundar and Barbara DuMoulin, Celebrating Our Cultures, Pembroke Publishers Limited, ISBN 978-1-55138-102-2, page 58:
- (countable) A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.
Derived terms
Terms derived from zodiac
Translations
belt-like region in the sky
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twelve signs in astrology
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