zodiac

• zodiack (obsolete)
• Zodiac

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 (zṓidion), the diminutive of ζῷον (zôion, “animal”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷíh₃weti (“to live”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈzəʊ.dɪˌæk/

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• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/

zodiac (plural zodiacs)

1. (astrology) 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.
   • 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:

     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 warbling throat ſeemed to emulate the melodious voice of the bird of a thouſand ſongs.

2. (astrology) The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.

   Synonym: star sign

3. (astronomy) The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
4. Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
   • 1998, Sylvia Sikundar, Barbara DuMoulin, Celebrating Our Cultures, Pembroke Publishers Limited, →ISBN, page 58:

     Discussing both Chinese and Western zodiacs might be a prewriting activity.

5. (countable) A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.

• ecliptic
• zodiacal

zodiac m (plural zodiacs)

1. zodiac

• zodiacâl

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ζῳδιακός (zōidiakós).

zodiac n (plural zodiace)

1. zodiac

zodiac m (plural zodiacs)

1. Alternative spelling of zódiac (“rubber dinghy”)