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constellation|kɒnstəˈleɪʃən|
Also 4–5 constellacioun, -acyoun, (-stelacioun), 4, 6 -stellacion, -acyon; 4 -stillacion(e, -acioun(e, 6 -atioun; 4 -stollacion, -stolacioun.
[a. F. constellation (13th c. in Littré), or ad. L. constellātiōn-em (in sense 1).]
†1. Astrol.
a. The configuration or position of ‘stars’ (i.e. planets) in regard to one another, as supposed to have ‘influence’ on terrestrial things; esp. their position at the time of a man's birth; my constellation = ‘my stars’.
(Cf. Isidore viii. ix. 24 Mathematici..cuius superstitionis genus Constellationes Latini vocant, id est notationes siderum, quomodo se habeant cum quis nascitur.)
c1320Seuyn Sag. 339 (W.) Hout wente the maistres sevene, And bihelden up toward hevene: Thai seghe the constillacioun. c1374Chaucer Troylus iv. 745 Born in corsed constellacioun [v.r. constolacioun]. c1386― Wife's Prol. 616, I folwed ay myn inclinacioun By vertu of my constillacioun. 1393Gower Conf. I. 21 Some men holde opinion That it is constellacion Which causeth al that a man dothe. 1531Elyot Gov. ii. xii. (1883) II. 137 He cursed his fate or constellation, and wisshed that he had neuer comen to Athenes. 1686W. de Britaine Hum. Prud. xi. 49, I am not by my Constellation destinated to be rich. 1829Scott Guy M. Introd., Which period, the constellations intimate, will be the crisis of his fate. 1863Geo. Eliot Romola i. iv, He was born under the constellation that gives a man skill, riches, and integrity, whatever that constellation may be.
†b. Disposition, propensity, or character, as determined or influenced by one's ‘stars’. Obs.
[1601Shakes. Twel. N. i. iv. 35, I know thy constellation is right apt For this affayre.] a1628F. Greville Wks. vii. (1633) 277 The different constellation betweene your Husbands nature and yours. 1649J. Ellistone tr. Behmen's Epist. (1886) 9 Be thou of what calling, profession, complexion, constellation and disposition thou wilt. 1651tr. Hist. Don Fenise 128 We grew up during our tender age in equalitie of manners, and also of constellations.
†2. The action of the vb. constellate 1. Obs.
a1643Jos. Shute Judgem. & Mercy (1645) 180 He might work by constellations, and other Astrologicall practises.
3. A number of fixed stars grouped together within the outline of an imaginary figure traced on the face of the sky.
1551Recorde Cast. Knowl. (1556) 263 The one sorte are called Northerlye constellations, the other sorte Southerly constellations, and the third sorte are the twelue signes. 1611Bible Isa. xiii. 10 The starres of heauen, and the constellations thereof shall not giue their light. 1794Sullivan View Nat. II, The constellation which the Greeks called the Argo, was a representation of the sacred ship of Osiris. 1837Emerson Amer. Scholar Wks. (Bohn) II. 174 The star in the constellation Harp, which now flames in our zenith..shall one day be the pole star. 1870H. Macmillan Bible Teach. i. 14 Orion is..the most striking and splendid constellation in the heavens.
4. transf. and fig.
a1631Donne Epithalamium (R.), Up, up, fair bride, and..take Thy rubies, pearls, and diamonds forth and make Thyself a constellation of them all. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. v. viii, When they first gaze upon a Constellation of fair Ladies. 1739Gray Lett. in Poems (1775) 69 A constellation of wax lights burning before them. 1860Pusey Min. Proph. 1 That brilliant constellation of prophets, whose light gleamed over the fall of Israel and Judah.
5. Psychol. A group of ideas or personality factors, usu. formed by association; = complex n. 3.
1922Brit. Jrnl. Psychol. Oct. 122 A word for the whole range of phenomena is wanted and if it is held that ‘complex’ is no longer available it is possible to use ‘constellation’. 1924R. M. Ogden tr. Koffka's Growth of Mind v. §2. 247 Selz has shown that an explanation in terms of the ‘constellation’ of numerous independent associations is entirely inadequate. 1950Psychiatry XIII. 182/1 The patient transfers to the analyst the constellations of love, hate, and other affects. 1958M. Kerr People of Ship St. xv. 162 His simple and non-integrated role constellations are not capable of coping with a more complicated world. |