constellationn.
/kɒnstəˈleɪʃən/ 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > heavenly body > as influence on mankind > [noun]
starOE
constellationc1320
sideration1590
the world > the universe > planet > position of planet > aspect > [noun] > at nativity
constellationc1320
sideration1590
horoscopy1651
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 339 Hout wente the maistres sevene, And bihelden up toward hevene: Thai seghe the constillacioun.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 745 Born in corsed constellacioun [v.r. constolacioun].
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 616 I folwed ay myn inclinacioun By vertu of my constillacioun.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 21 Some men holde opinion That it is constellacion Which causeth al that a man dothe.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. xii. sig. Sviiiv He cursed his fate or constellation, and wisshed that he had neuer comen to Athenes.
1680 W. de Britaine Humane Prudence xiv. 40 I am not by my Constellation destinated to be rich.
1829 W. Scott Guy Mannering (new ed.) I. Introd. p. iv Which period, the constellations intimate, will be the crisis of his fate.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. iv. 72 He was born under the constellation that gives a man skill, riches, and integrity, whatever that constellation may be.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > [noun] > disposition as determined by stars
starOE
influence14..
star1603
constellationa1628
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iv. 35 I know thy constellation is right apt For this affayre. View more context for this quotation]
a1628 F. Greville Certaine Wks. (1633) ii. 277 The different constellation betweene your Husbands nature, and yours.
1649 J. Ellistone in tr. J. Böhme Epist. Pref. sig. a3v Be thou of what Calling, Profession, Complexion, Constellation, and Disposition thou wilt.
1651 tr. F. de Quintana Hist. Don Fenise 128 We grew up during our tender age in equalitie of manners, and also of constellations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > astrology > [noun] > sign or device > fashioned under particular constellation > construction of
constellationa1643
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell > construction of constellated charms
constellationa1643
a1643 J. 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > [noun]
signa1398
image1481
constellation1556
asterism1598
stellation1616
catasterism1803
birth star1870
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 263 The one sorte are called Northerlye constellations, the other sorte Southerly constellations, and the third sorte are the twelue signes.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xiii. 10 The starres of heauen, and the constellations thereof shall not giue their light. View more context for this quotation
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. xlv. 303 The constellation which the Greeks called the Argo, was a representation of the sacred ship of Osiris.
1837 R. W. Emerson Oration before Phi Beta Kappa Soc. 4 The star in the constellation Harp, which now flames in our zenith..shall one day be the pole-star.
1870 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings i. 14 Orion is..the most striking and splendid constellation in the heavens.
4. transferred and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun] > (group of) eminent people
greata1325
principalsa1425
the great and the good1624
constellationa1631
grand1667
Pleiad1856
prominenti1927
tycoonery1956
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > group > specifically of people > distinguished
galaxy1590
constellationa1631
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 119 Up, up, faire Bride, and..take Thy rubies, Pearles, and Diamonds forth, and make Thy selfe a constellation, of them All.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. v. viii. sig. Ll7 When they first gaze upon a Constellation of fair Ladies.
1739 T. Gray Let. 21 Nov. in Corr. (1971) I. 130 A constellation of wax lights burning before them.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 1 That brilliant constellation of prophets, whose light gleamed over the fall of Israel and Judah.
5. Psychology. A group of ideas or personality factors, usually formed by association; = complex n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > psychology > psychology of ideas > association of ideas > [noun] > connected idea > group of
complex1907
constellation1922
the mind > mental capacity > psychology > psychology of personality > [noun] > feature of personality > combination of > formed by association
constellation1922
1922 Brit. 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’.
1924 R. M. Ogden tr. K. Koffka Growth of Mind v. §2. 247 Selz has shown that an explanation in terms of the ‘constellation’ of numerous independent associations is entirely inadequate.
1950 Psychiatry 13 182/1 The patient transfers to the analyst the constellations of love, hate, and other affects.
1958 M. Kerr People of Ship Street xv. 162 His simple and non-integrated role constellations are not capable of coping with a more complicated world.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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