zodiac circle, n.

zodiac-circle
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zodiac-circle_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1921; not fully revised

# zodiac circlenoun

## Factsheet

### Where does the noun zodiac circle come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun zodiac circle is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for zodiac circle is from 1447, in the writing of Osbern Bokenham, poet and Augustinian friar.

### Nearby entries

1. zoanthus, n. 1841–
2. zoarial, adj. 1896–
3. zoarium, n. 1880–
4. zob, n. 1911–
5. zocalo, n. 1884–
6. zocco, n. 1664–1723
7. zocle, n. 1704–
8. zoco, n. 1892–
9. zodiac, n. 1390–
10. zodiacal, adj. 1576–
11. zodiac circle, n.1447–
12. zodiac line, n. 1590
13. zodiac ring, n. 1895–
14. zodiographer, n. 1650
15. zoea, n. 1828–
16. zoeal, adj.?1870–
17. zoetrope, n. 1866–
18. zographer, n. 1570
19. zography, n. 1570
20. zograscope, n. 1753–
21. Zohar, n. 1682–

## Etymology

Compare Greek ὁ τῶν ζῳδίων κύκλος (Aristotle).

## Meaning & use

1. 1447–
   See zodiac n. Compounds.
   1. 1447

      > The xii signes thryes by & by In þe zodyak cercle had passyde coursly.

      O. Bokenham, Anna in Lyvys of Seyntys 624
   2. 1602

      > The Zodiacke circle is alwayes rowled about.

      W. Fulbecke, Parallele or Conference of Law ii. 60
   3. 1688

      > The Zodiack Circle is ever born Bendways Sinister.

      R. Holme, Academy of Armory ii. 20/2
   astrology
   1. zodiac 1390–
      Astronomy. A belt of the celestial sphere extending about 8 or 9 degrees on each side of the ecliptic, within which the apparent motions of the…
   2. signifer a1413–1867
      = zodiac, n. 1a. Also personified. Obsolete (rare after 17th cent.).
   3. zodiac circle 1447–
   4. zodiac line 1590
      The zodiac.
   5. baldric 1596–
      figurative. The zodiac, viewed as a gem-studded belt.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

Originally published as part of the entry for zodiac, n.

zodiac, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.