Virgo
UK /ˈvɜː.ɡəʊ/ · US /ˈvɝ.ɡoʊ/ proper noun, noun
Forms Virgos
- proper noun (astronomy): A constellation in the zodiac, traditionally figured in the shape of a maiden holding an ear of wheat (represented by the bright binary star Spica).
- proper noun (astrology): The zodiac sign for the virgin, ruled by Mercury, that covers August 23 – September 23 (tropical astrology) or September 16 – October 15 (sidereal astrology).
- proper noun (physics, space science) A large-scale gravitational wave detector located in Pisa, Italy.
- proper noun A surname.
- noun Someone with a Virgo star sign.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin virgō (“maiden, virgin; name of constellation”), calque of Ancient Greek παρθένος (parthénos, “virgin; name of constellation”), ultimately derived through mythic reinterpretation from ancient Mesopotamian constellations, as Akkadian absinnu (“seed furrow; name of constellation”) and Sumerian 𒀯𒀳 (ᵐᵘˡABSIN₃, “seed furrow; constellation representing fertility/harvest goddess Shala with ear of corn”). Doublet of virgin.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [L. virgo a virgin, the constellation Virgo in the zodiac. See Virgin.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “Virgo”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details