See Also: Zodiac(medicine)
zodiac(dictionary)
zodiac(encyclopedia)
zodiac(dictionary)

zodiac (iou)



zodiac noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French zodiaque from Latin zodiacus from Greek zoidiakos (sc. kuklos circle) of figures or signs, from zoidion sculptured figure (of an animal), sign of the zodiac, dim. of zoion animal: see -AC.]
Astronomy & Astrology. A belt of the celestial sphere extending about 8 or 9 degrees on each side of the ecliptic, within which the apparent motions of the sun, moon, and principal planets take place, and which is usu. divided into twelve signs (see below). LME.
b. In full zodiac of the moon etc. A belt of the celestial sphere within which the apparent motion of the moon or other specified celestial object takes place. E18.
A representation of the zodiac or of a similar astrological system (e.g. that used by the Chinese). LME.
A year; the calendar. M16-E17.
fig. & allus. A recurrent series, a complete course; esp. a set of twelve. Also, the compass or range of something. M16.
P. Sidney Freely ranging..within the Zodiack of his owne wit.
(Zodiac.) (Proprietary name for) a kind of inflatable dinghy, esp. one powered by an outboard motor. M20.
Phrases: sign of the zodiac (now chiefly Astrology) each of the twelve equal parts into which the zodiac is divided, through one of which the sun passes in a month, and which are named after the twelve constellations Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces (see note below).
Comb.: zodiac ring a ring bearing figures of one or more signs of the zodiac.
? Owing to the earth's precession the dates on which the sun is held by astrologers to enter the various signs of the zodiac no longer correspond to the sun's actual position in the constellations. These dates were established by Greeks of the Ptolemaic period (the 3rd-1st cents. BC); the discrepancy is now about a month, and a further constellation (Ophiuchus) is involved.