astrology

[uh-strol-uh-jee] /əˈstrɒl ə dʒi/
noun
1.
the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.
2.
Obsolete. the science of astronomy.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English < Latin astrologia < Greek. See astro-, -logy
Related forms
astrologer, astrologist, noun
astrological
[a-struh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌæ strəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/ (Show IPA), astrologic, astrologous
[uh-strol-uh-guh s] /əˈstrɒl ə gəs/ (Show IPA), adjective
astrologically, adverb
Examples from the web for astrology
  • astrology was the piece of the puzzle that put the rest of my life together.
  • Even astrology and palm reading have better records.
  • It is not necessary to believe in astrology to accept that it had a great influence on the lives of the ancients.
  • Ok, firstly none of you know anything about astrology or have apparently studied astronomy.
  • For its part, astrology shows no signs of going anywhere.
  • There are more astrology columns than astronomy columns in newspapers.
  • People who do not believe in astrology are far more likely to be tenured.
  • Staring at a pattern meant to evoke an optical illusion is usually an act of idle curiosity, akin to palm reading or astrology.
  • Then as now, it had the same scientific validity as astrology and alchemy.
  • Or not so different from parapsychology, astrology or witchcraft.
British Dictionary definitions for astrology

astrology

/əˈstrɒlədʒɪ/
noun
1.
the study of the motions and relative positions of the planets, sun, and moon, interpreted in terms of human characteristics and activities
2.
the primitive study of celestial bodies, which formed the basis of astronomy
Derived Forms
astrologer, astrologist, noun
astrological (ˌæstrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) adjective
astrologically, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Old French astrologie, from Latin astrologia, from Greek, from astrologos (originally: astronomer); see astro-, -logy
Contemporary definitions for astrology
noun

See astromancy

Word Origin and History for astrology
n.

late 14c., from Latin astrologia "astronomy, the science of the heavenly bodies," from Greek astrologia "telling of the stars," from astron "star" (see astro-) + -logia "treating of" (see -logy).

Originally identical with astronomy, it had also a special sense of "practical astronomy, astronomy applied to prediction of events." This was divided into natural astrology "the calculation and foretelling of natural phenomenon" (tides, eclipses, etc.), and judicial astrology "the art of judging occult influences of stars on human affairs" (also known as astromancy, 1650s). Differentiation between astrology and astronomy began late 1400s and by 17c. this word was limited to "reading influences of the stars and their effects on human destiny."

astrology in Culture

astrology definition


A study of the positions and relationships of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in order to judge their influence on human actions. Astrology, unlike astronomy, is not a scientific study and has been much criticized by scientists. (See zodiac.)