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constellation

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constellation


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Constellation  \Con`stel*la"tion\,  n.  [F.  constellation,  L. 
  constellatio.] 
  1.  A  cluster  or  group  of  fixed  stars,  or  dvision  of  the 
  heavens,  designated  in  most  cases  by  the  name  of  some 
  animal,  or  of  some  mythologial  personage,  within  whose 
  imaginary  outline,  as  traced  upon  the  heavens,  the  group 
  is  included. 
 
  The  constellations  seem  to  have  been  almost 
  purposely  named  and  delineated  to  cause  as  much 
  confusion  and  inconvenience  as  possible.  --Sir  J. 
  Herschel. 
 
  Note:  In  each  of  the  constellations  now  recognized  by 
  astronomers  (about  90  in  number)  the  brightest  stars, 
  both  named  and  unnamed,  are  designated  nearly  in  the 
  order  of  brilliancy  by  the  letters  of  the  Greek 
  alphabet;  as  [alpha]  Tauri  (Aldebaran)  is  the  first 
  star  of  Taurus,  [gamma]  Orionis  Bellatrix  is  the 
  third  star  of  Orion. 
 
  2.  An  assemblage  of  splendors  or  excellences. 
 
  The  constellations  of  genius  had  already  begun  to 
  show  itself  .  .  .  which  was  to  shed  a  glory  over  the 
  meridian  and  close  of  Philip's  reign.  --Prescott. 
 
  3.  Fortune;  fate;  destiny.  [Obs.] 
 
  It  is  constellation,  which  causeth  all  that  a  man 
  doeth.  --Gower. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  constellation 
  n  1:  an  arrangement  of  parts  or  elements;  "the  outcome  depends  on 
  the  configuration  of  influences  at  the  time"  [syn:  {configuration}] 
  2:  a  configuration  of  stars  as  seen  from  the  earth 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Constellation 
  a  cluster  of  stars,  or  stars  which  appear  to  be  near  each  other 
  in  the  heavens,  and  which  astronomers  have  reduced  to  certain 
  figures  (as  the  "Great  Bear,"  the  "Bull,"  etc.)  for  the  sake  of 
  classification  and  of  memory.  In  Isa.  13:10,  where  this  word 
  only  occurs,  it  is  the  rendering  of  the  Hebrew  _kesil_,  i.e., 
  "fool."  This  was  the  Hebrew  name  of  the  constellation  Orion  (Job 
  9:9;  38:31),  a  constellation  which  represented  Nimrod,  the 
  symbol  of  folly  and  impiety.  The  word  some  interpret  by  "the 
  giant"  in  this  place  "some  heaven-daring  rebel  who  was  chained 
  to  the  sky  for  his  impiety." 
 




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