astrology

[uh-strol-uh-jee]

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.

astrology

/ ˌæstrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, 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

astrology

1. 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 (see also zodiac).)

Other Word Forms

• astrologer noun
• astrologist noun
• astrological adjective
• astrologic adjective
• astrologous adjective
• astrologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrology¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin astrologia < Greek. See astro-, -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of astrology¹

C14: from Old French astrologie, from Latin astrologia, from Greek, from astrologos (originally: astronomer); see _astro- , _-logy

Example Sentences

In 2008, he co-authored a paper that challenged astrology using a statistical method.

From BBC

Chelsea, ever the astrology girly, foreshadowed her doom, noting that bad things happen in threes after she evaded death twice — the jewelry store robbery and the venomous snake bite.

From Los Angeles Times

Many young Chinese have recently turned to psychics and astrology as a way of trying to allay their fears of the future.

From BBC

Chani refers to Saturn as “a threshold deity” because, for thousands of years in ancient astrology, it was the last planet we could see without a telescope.

From Los Angeles Times

And astrology too, of which he has a more than cursory understanding.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• horoscope