zodiac
nounEtymology From the name of brand of inflatable boats produced by the French Zodiac Nautic company.
- Synonyms
- inflatable boat
zodiac
nounUK /ˈzəʊ.dɪˌæk/ · US /ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/
Etymology 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”).
1
Astrology, Human sciences, Mysticism, Philosophy, Sciences The belt-like region of the celestial sphere, approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic, which includes the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
- Tremulous on the bladed graſs ſhone bright the pearly drops, like an aſſembly of ſparkling ſtars dancing on the plains of the zodiac; vocal was every bending ſpray, every reed was inſpired, each vvarbling throat ſeemed to emulate the melodious voice of the bird of a thouſand ſongs.1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page iv:
2
Astrology, Human sciences, Mysticism, Philosophy, Sciences The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
3
Astrology, Human sciences, Mysticism, Philosophy, Sciences The Chinese zodiac.
4
Astronomy, Natural sciences The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
5
Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
- He is so pictured in the ancient Denderah Zodiac, where we see a man coming forth pointing to the three bright stars (Rigel, Bellatrix, and Betelguez) as his.1893, E. W. Bullinger, Witness of the Stars, London: The author, page 125:
- Discussing both Chinese and Western zodiacs might be a prewriting activity.1998, Sylvia Sikundar, Barbara DuMoulin, Celebrating Our Cultures, Pembroke Publishers Limited, →ISBN, page 58:
1 more example
- So the Dendera Zodiac seems to be a complete copy of the Mesopotamian zodiac.1998, John H. Roger, “Origins of the ancient constellations: I. The Mesopotamian traditions”, in Journal of the British Astronomy Association, volume 108, number 1, page 10, column 1:
6
A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.
- Derived terms
- Chinese zodiac, Dendera zodiac, Denderah zodiac, Mesopotamian zodiac, sign of the zodiac, zodiacal, zodiacal light, zodiac sign