different between zodiac vs birthstones

English

Alternative forms

• zodiack (obsolete)
• Zodiac

Etymology

From Middle English zodiak (late 14th century), from Old French zodiaque, from Latin z?diacus, from Ancient Greek ???????? [??????] (z?idiakós [kúklos], “[circle] of little animals”), from ?????? (z?idion), the diminutive of ???? (zôion, “animal”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?z??.d?.æk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?zo?.d?.æk/

Noun

zodiac (plural zodiacs)

1. (astrology) The belt-like region of the celestial sphere approximately eight degrees north and south of the ecliptic which include the apparent path of the sun, moon, and visible planets.
2. (astrology) The twelve equal divisions of the zodiacal region into signs or houses, each named for a prominent constellation in the region.
3. (astronomy) The ecliptic: the belt-like region of the celestial sphere corresponding to the apparent path of the sun over the course of a year.
4. Any of various astrological systems considered similar to the above.
   • 1998, Sylvia Sikundar and Barbara DuMoulin, Celebrating Our Cultures, Pembroke Publishers Limited, ?ISBN, page 58:

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

5. (countable) A circle decorated with the signs of the zodiac.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• ecliptic
• zodiacal

Spanish

Noun

zodiac m (plural zodiacs)

1. Alternative spelling of zódiac (“rubber dinghy”)

English

Noun

birthstones

1. plural of birthstone