constellation

/ˌkɒn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/

constellation means an arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism.

constellation is pronounced /ˌkɒn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/.

Why “constellation” is a great word

A named group of stars forming a recognizable pattern or an officially defined region of the celestial sphere. From Middle English, borrowed from Old French *constellation* or directly from Late Latin *cōnstēllātiōnem*, from Latin *con-* ("together") + *stēlla* ("star"). Unlike an "asterism," which is a simple, recognizable star-pattern like the Big Dipper, a constellation is the official, often ancient, figure or region that contains it; and unlike a "galaxy," a vast island universe of stars, a constellation is a local fiction, a cartography of the near sky drawn from a single, lonely viewpoint. It is the hunter Orion striding eternally across the winter night, the faint lines of Libra’s scales imagined between unconnected suns, and the precise, arbitrary borders that modern science has inked across the dome to map the void—a testament to humanity’s primal need to gather isolated points of light into stories and territories, imposing a human narrative upon the indifferent scatter of the cosmos.

Etymology

From Middle English constellacioun, constillacioun (“(astrology) position of the moon or a planet in relation to the ascendant sign of the zodiac; horoscope; (astronomy) formation of fixed stars, constellation; (astronomy) elevation or position of the sun”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French constellation (modern French constellation), or directly from its etymon Late Latin cōnstēllātiōnem, the accusative singular of cōnstēllātiō (“collection of stars supposed to exert an influence upon human affairs, constellation”), from Latin con- (prefix denoting a bringing together of several objects) + stēlla (“star; meteor; planet”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (“star”)) + -ātiō (suffix forming nouns).

noun

An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism.
An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism.; Any of the 88 regions of the sky officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, including all stars and celestial bodies in the region.
A configuration or grouping of related things.
A configuration or grouping of related things.; A wide, seemingly unlimited, assortment.e.g.“a constellation of possibilities”
A configuration or grouping of related things.; An array of marks or items.e.g.“He had a constellation of bruises on his side.”
A configuration or grouping of related things.; Synonym of complex (“a collection of ideas caused by repressed emotions that leads to an abnormal mental condition”).
A configuration or grouping of related things.; A network of connections between people who are in polyamorous relationships, for example between a person, their partner, and that person's partner.
A configuration or grouping of related things.; A fleet of satellites used for the same purpose.e.g.“The Iridium satellite constellation provides data and voice information coverage to satellite phones and other communication devices over the entire surface of Earth.”
The configuration of planets at a given time (especially a person's birth), as believed to affect events on Earth, or used for determining a horoscope.
A person's character or inclinations, supposedly determined by their horoscope.

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

constellate 86% match — To combine as a cluster. vs constellation →
starlore 83% match — The study, knowledge, or science of stars; astrology; astronomy. vs constellation →
galaxy 83% match — The Milky Way; the apparent band of concentrated stars which appears in the night sky over earth. vs constellation →
skylore 83% match — The study, knowledge, or science of the sky and its apparent components (heavenly bodies, constellations, etc.). vs constellation →
triones 82% match — The seven principal stars in the constellation Ursa Major vs constellation →
celestial 82% match — Of, relating to, or located in the sky or outer space, where the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars are visible. vs constellation →
uranography 82% match — Celestial cartography; the mapping of celestial bodies. vs constellation →
catasterism 81% match — The transformation of a hero or mythological creature, into a star, constellation, comet or other celestial object. vs constellation →