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zodiac

Pronunciation: /ˈzəʊ.dɪˌæk/

The English word “zodiac” has 7 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. 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.
  2. The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
  3. The Chinese zodiac.
  4. The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
  5. Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
  6. A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.
  7. A inflatable boat.

Etymology

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 (zōídion), the diminutive of ζῷον (zōîon, “animal”).

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.