Definition of zodiac in English:

noun

• 1Astrology
  A belt of the heavens within about 8° either side of the ecliptic, including all apparent positions of the sun, moon, and most familiar planets. It is divided into twelve equal divisions or signs (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces).

  Example sentences

  • ‘This shows that Jupiter is ‘retrograde’, which means that it is moving backwards through the zodiac.’
  • ‘As the first sign of the zodiac, with energetic Mars as its totem planet, Aries is invariably in a hurry.’
  • ‘If her planet were not in any part of the zodiac ruled by mine, we would judge that she is not interested in me.’
  • ‘House placement is how each person is affecting the other according to the twelve houses of the zodiac.’
  • ‘Your carrots ought to be put in on a root day, and your leeks harvested only when the zodiac calendar permits.’
  • ‘The apparent paths of the sun, the moon, and the major planets all fall within the zodiac.’
  • ‘The chart is made up of twelve zodiac signs, ten planets, and the twelve houses; the combinations of these are limitless.’
  • ‘This inspired NASA to name the program after the third constellation of the zodiac, which featured the twin stars Castor and Pollux.’
  • ‘In other words, the zodiacal constellations named in ancient times no longer correspond to the segments of the zodiac represented by their signs.’
  • ‘The co-ruler of Pisces, whose traditional ruler is Jupiter, Neptune takes approximately 170 years to make its circuit of the zodiac.’
  • ‘The most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon symbolizes intelligence, wealth and tenacity.’
  • ‘Oh, plus I was thinking about how Virgo comes right after Leo in the zodiac, and that seems to make some sense here (as Katie is a Virgo).’
  • ‘Taurus has one of the longest histories of the zodiac signs.’
  • ‘Each crop type must then be planted on a day when the moon is in a sign of the zodiac associated with that element.’
  • ‘Two fishes swimming in different directions is the zodiac symbol of Pisces.’
  • ‘‘Places of familiarity’ are the signs of the zodiac or angles in the chart which reinforce a planet's natural disposition.’
  • ‘The planets are evenly dispersed around the zodiac.’
  • ‘Traditional astrology recognises five significant relationships, based upon the twelvefold division of the zodiac signs.’
  • ‘Venus returns to the same portion of the zodiac after ten solar conjunctions, over a period of exactly 8 years.’
  • ‘Gemini, the most northerly constellation of the zodiac, is dominated by the two bright stars that represent the heads of the Twins.’
  • ‘The latter is indeed the famous archer, one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac.’

  1. 1.1A representation of the signs of the zodiac or of a similar astrological system.
     Example sentences

     • ‘The zodiac, as drawn by an astrologer, also resembles a dial.’
     • ‘You don't need neon zodiacs and other accoutrements either.’
     • ‘But Frye's dreams of systematizing and co-ordinating a literary universe also rose to meet counterparts in Frances Yates's 1967 account of the zodiacs and theatres of the encyclopaedic memory systems of Bruno and Camillo.’

• 2trademark An inflatable dinghy powered by an outboard motor.

  Example sentences

  • ‘Note how Zodiac is given enough towline to keep it on the backside of the wave.’
  • ‘Driving a Zodiac around in 30 foot surf is a lot trickier than getting on a Wave Runner.’
  • ‘The name Zodiac was a pun to anyone who knew about the little raft.’
  • ‘The final segment saw the players paddling a Zodiac across the bay.’
  • ‘For those wanting more than shore diving, a Zodiac taxi service drops divers just outside the bay to swim back.’