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constellation definition

con·stel·la·tion (kän′stə lās̸hən)

noun

    1. a group of stars in the sky, usually named after some object, animal, or mythological being that it supposedly resembles or suggests
    2. the area of the sky assigned to such a group of stars: currently the sky is considered to have 88 constellations
  1. any brilliant cluster, gathering, or collection
  2. Astrol. the grouping of celestial bodies at any particular time, esp. at a person's birth
  3. Psychol. a group of related thoughts or feelings regarded as clustered about one central idea

Etymology: ME constellacion < OFr < LL constellatio < constellatus, set with stars < L com-, with + pp. of stellare, to shine < stella, star

Related Forms:

  • constellatory con·stel′·la·to′ry (kən stelə tôr′ē) adjective

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