Meanings
-
1
noun
the belt of the sky centered on the ecliptic through which the sun, moon, and visible planets appear to move
Mars lay low in the zodiac during the winter observation.
-
2
noun
the astrological division of that belt into twelve signs, or a diagram representing those signs
The manuscript depicts the zodiac as a ring of twelve symbols.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
1
noun
· the belt of the sky...
celestial belt
2
noun
· the astrological division...
astrological circlecircle of signs
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English zodiak, through Old French and Latin zodiacus from Ancient Greek zodiakos kyklos ("circle of little animals"). The name refers to the animal figures among the constellations associated with its signs.