zodiac

CEFRB1

/ˈzəʊ.dɪˌæk/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A group of twelve signs linked to parts of the sky and year.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.

Examples

  • Behind every animal on the Chinese zodiac lies an array of proverbs, sayings and stories.

  • The culture of the Chinese zodiac is deeply rooted in people's lives, language and literature.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
3

Also pronounced

  • /ˈzoʊ.diˌæk/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  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 Chinese zodiac.

  3. The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.

More examples

In context

  • The Scorpion is one of the signs of the zodiac.

  • Discussing both Chinese and Western zodiacs might be a prewriting activity.

  • So the Dendera Zodiac seems to be a complete copy of the Mesopotamian zodiac.

Synonyms

Quick test

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Question 1 · Quick check

Astrologers believe that the position of the planets in the blank influences personality.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

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”).