Main Entry:

zo·di·ac

Pronunciation:

\ˈzō-dē-ˌak\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin zodiacus, from Greek zōidiakos, from zōidiakos, adjective, of carved figures, of the zodiac, from zōidion carved figure, sign of the zodiac, from diminutive of zōion living being, figure; akin to Greek zōē life

Date:

14th century

1 a: an imaginary band in the heavens centered on the ecliptic that encompasses the apparent paths of all the planets and is divided into 12 constellations or signs each taken for astrological purposes to extend 30 degrees of longitude b: a figure representing the signs of the zodiac and their symbols2: a cyclic course <a zodiac of feasts and fasts — R. W. Emerson>

— zo·di·a·cal \zō-ˈdī-ə-kəl, zə-\ adjective

[zodiac table]