con|stel|la|tion

con|stel|la|tion
con|stel|la|tion «KON stuh LAY shuhn», noun.
1. a) a group of stars, usually having a geometric shape within a definite region of the sky. Constellations are often named after mythological figures. »

The Big Dipper is the easiest constellation to locate. Why did no one teach me the constellations when I was a child? (Thomas Carlyle).

 b) Figurative: »

a constellation of scholars at a convention.

2. a division of the heavens occupied by a group of stars.
3. (in astrology) the grouping or relative positions of the stars, thought to influence events, especially their position at the time of a person's birth.
4. a) Psychology. a complex group of related feelings and ideas. b) Figurative: »

There comes a constellation of changes that mark passage over the brink into deep sleep (Scientific American).

╂[< Late Latin constellātiō, -ōnis < constellātus starred, ultimately < Latin com- with + stella star]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • con·stel·la·tion — /ˌkɑːnstəˈleıʃən/ noun, pl tions [count] 1 : a group of stars that forms a particular shape in the sky and has been given a name The constellation Ursa Major contains the stars of the Big Dipper. 2 formal : a group of people or things that are… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… …   English syllables

  • stel — bar·ba·stel; con·stel·la·tion; con·stel·la·tion·al; con·stel·la·to·ry; in·stel·la·tion; ra·stel·lus; stel·lar; stel·lar·ia; stel·lary; stel·late; stel·lat·ed; stel·lec·to·my; stel·ler·ine; stel·ler·oi·dea; stel·ler s; stel·let·ta;… …   English syllables

  • con — con·acre; con·cat·e·nate; con·cave; con·ceal·er; con·ceit; con·cen·trate; con·cen·tra·tor; con·cen·tric; con·cep·tual; con·cern; con·cern·ing; con·cert; con·cer·tante; con·cer·ti·na; con·ces·sion·ary; con·cha; con·cin·nate; con·com·i·tant;… …   English syllables

  • constellation — con·stel·la·tion …   English syllables

  • constellational — con·stel·la·tion·al …   English syllables

  • constellation — con•stel•la•tion [[t]ˌkɒn stəˈleɪ ʃən[/t]] n. 1) astron. a) any of various named groups of stars, as Ursa Major, Boötes, or Orion b) the section of the heavens occupied by such a group 2) astrol. the astrological grouping of the heavenly bodies,… …   From formal English to slang

  • constellation — con|stel|la|tion [ˌkɔnstəˈleıʃən US ˌka:n ] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: Late Latin constellatio, from Latin com ( COM ) + stella star ] 1.) a group of stars that forms a particular pattern and has a name ▪ a star in the… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • constellation — con|stel|la|tion [ ,kanstə leıʃn ] noun count 1. ) a group of stars in the sky named for the pattern they form 2. ) FORMAL a group of people or things that are similar or related …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • la — ab·cha·la·zal; ab·la·tion; ab·la·ti·val; ac·an·thel·la; acan·tho·ceph·a·la; ac·cep·ti·la·tion; ac·cu·mu·la·ble; ac·cu·mu·la·tion; ac·cu·mu·la·tive; ac·cu·mu·la·tor; aceph·a·la; ac·er·o·la; acet·y·la·tion; acet·y·la·tor; ach·a·la·sia;… …   English syllables

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