First published 1921; not fully revised
zodiac circlenoun
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
- zoanthus, n.1841–
- zoarial, adj.1896–
- zoarium, n.1880–
- zob, n.1911–
- zocalo, n.1884–
- zocco, n.1664–1723
- zocle, n.1704–
- zoco, n.1892–
- zodiac, n.1390–
- zodiacal, adj.1576–
- zodiac circle, n.1447–
- zodiac line, n.1590
- zodiac ring, n.1895–
- zodiographer, n.1650
- zoea, n.1828–
- zoeal, adj.?1870–
- zoetrope, n.1866–
- zographer, n.1570
- zography, n.1570
- zograscope, n.1753–
- Zohar, n.1682–
Compare
Greek ὁ τῶν ζῳδίων κύκλος (Aristotle).
1447–
1447
The xii signes thryes by & by In þe zodyak cercle had passyde coursly.
O. Bokenham, Anna in Lyvys of Seyntys 624
1602
The Zodiacke circle is alwayes rowled about.
W. Fulbecke, Parallele or Conference of Law ii. 60
1688
The Zodiack Circle is ever born Bendways Sinister.
R. Holme, Academy of Armory ii. 20/2
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…
= zodiac, n. 1a. Also personified. Obsolete (rare after 17th cent.).
figurative. The zodiac, viewed as a gem-studded belt.
Originally published as part of the entry for zodiac, n.
zodiac, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.
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