constellation

CEFRB2

/ˌkɒn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A group of stars forming a recognized pattern.

  2. 02

    noun

    A group of related people or things.

Examples

  • One constellation that most people know is the Big Dipper.

  • A constellation of blood had sprayed onto the wall.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A configuration or grouping of related things.

  2. An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism.

  3. Any of the 88 regions of the sky officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, including all stars and celestial bodies in the region.

More examples

In context

  • He had a constellation of bruises on his side.

  • The constellation once shone.

  • What's your favorite constellation?

Synonyms

Quick test

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Origin

noun

PIE word *ḱóm From Middle English constellacioun, constillacioun (“(astrology) position of the moon or a planet in relation to the ascendant sign of the zodiac; horoscope; (astronomy) formation of fixed stars, constellation; (astronomy) elevation or position of the sun”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French constellation (modern French constellation), or directly from its etymon Late Latin cōnstēllātiōnem, the accusative singular of cōnstēllātiō (“collection of stars supposed to exert an influence upon human affairs, constellation”), from Latin con- (prefix denoting a bringing together of several objects) + stēlla (“star; meteor; planet”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr...