zodiac

zo·di·ac  (zd-k)

n.

1.

a. Astronomy A band of the celestial sphere extending about 8° to either side of the ecliptic that represents the path of the principal planets, the moon, and the sun.

b. In astrology, this band divided into 12 equal parts called signs, each 30° wide, bearing the name of a constellation for which it was originally named but with which it no longer coincides owing to the precession of the equinoxes.

c. A diagram or figure representing the zodiac.

2. A complete circuit; a circle.

---

[Middle English, from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zdiacus, from Greek zidiakos (kuklos), (circle) of the zodiac, from zidion, small represented figure, zodiacal sign, diminutive of zion, living being; see zoon¹.]

---

zo·dia·cal (-d-kl) adj.

---

zodiac

Noun

1. an imaginary belt in the sky within which the sun, moon, and planets appear to move, and which is divided into 12 equal areas called [signs of the zodiac,] each named after the constellation which once lay in it

2. Astrol a diagram, usually circular, representing this belt [Greek zōidion animal sign, from zōion animal]

zodiacal adj

---

zodiac  (zd-k)

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. See also equinox.

---

Zodiac a recurrent series; a round; a set of twelve.

Examples: zodiac of the twelve apostles, 1631; of my expectations, 1609; of fcasts, 1856; of life, 1560; of learned lives, 1742; of wit, 1586.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	zodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes celestial sphere, empyrean, firmament, heavens, vault of heaven, welkin, sphere - the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected region, part - the extended spatial location of something; "the farming regions of France"; "religions in all parts of the world"; "regions of outer space" exaltation - the location of a planet in the zodiac at which it is believed to exert its maximum influence mansion, planetary house, sign of the zodiac, star sign, sign, house - (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided Aquarius - a zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere; between Capricornus and Pisces Aries - a small zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere; between Pisces and Taurus Cancer - a small zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere; between Leo and Gemini Capricornus, Capricorn - a faint zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere; between Sagittarius and Aquarius Gemini - a zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere between Taurus and Cancer on the ecliptic Leo - a zodiacal constellation in northern hemisphere between Cancer and Virgo Libra - a small faint zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere; between Virgo and Scorpius Pisces - a large faint zodiacal constellation; between Aquarius and Aries Sagittarius - a large zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere; between Scorpius and Capricornus Scorpius, Scorpio - a large zodiacal constellation between Libra and Sagittarius Taurus - a zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere near Orion; between Aries and Gemini Virgo - a large zodiacal constellation on the equator; between Leo and Libra
	2.	zodiac - (astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs diagram - a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts astrology, star divination - a pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon

---

zodiac

Translations

zodiac [ˈzəudɪæk] n → zodíaco

zodiac [ˈzəudɪæk] n → zodiaque m

zodiac [ˈzəudɪæk] n → Tierkreis m

zodiac [ˈzəudɪæk] n → zodiaco