zodiac

Meaning

Noun

• The belt-like region of the celestial sphere approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic which include the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
• The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
• The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
• Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
• A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.

Origin

• From Middle English zodiak (late 14th century), from Old French zodiaque, from Latin zōdiacus, from Ancient Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος] ("[circle] of little animals"), from ζῴδιον, the diminutive of ζῷον, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷíh₃weti ("to live").