zodiac

Meanings

1. 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. 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.

Simplified etymology

Zodiac entered English in the late Middle English period and ultimately comes from Greek zōion, meaning “animal.” It was so named because most of the zodiac’s signs are represented by animals.

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.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary