/'zəʊdɪæk; `zodɪ,æk/
n
(a) the zodiac [sing] imaginary band of the sky containing the positions of the sun, the moon and the main planets, divided into
12 equal parts (the signs of the zodiac), named after
12 groups of stars 黄道带（天球上的假想带, 日、月、行星在其中分成
12 等份, 即黄道
12 宫signs of the zodiac, 依
12 星群命名）. =>illus 见插图.
(b) [C] (usu circular) diagram of these signs used in astrology to predict the future （通常为圆形的）黄道
12 宫图（用于占星术中预测未来）. Cf 参看 horoscope.

NOTE ON USAGE 用法
*The signs of the zodiac are used in astrology and horoscopes (often called `The Stars') in newspapers and magazines. *signs of the zodiac（黄道12宫）用于占星术及报刊中的天宫图（常称为The Stars）. *People often refer to the signs and tothe influence they are supposed to have on somebody's personality and fate 人们常提到星座及其所谓对人的性格及命运的主宰
*She was born under Gemini. 她属双子座.
* His birthday's on
19 October. He's
(a) Libra/a Libran. 他的生日是10月19日. 他属天秤座.
* She is a typical Taurus/Taurean/has a typical Taurean personality. 她有典型的金牛座性格.

n
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French;Origin: zodiaque, from Greek zoidiakos 'animal figures']
the zodiac
an imaginary area through which the sun, moon, and planets appear to travel, which some people believe influences our lives
sign of the zodiac
(=one of the 12 parts that this area is divided into)
　'Which sign of the zodiac were you born under?' 'Leo.'
→horoscope