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zodiac is a common noun.  Its 3 syllables, zo di ac, are pronounced ZO di ak.  There are 3 definitions.

Definition 1 in Astronomy is:  An imaginary belt encircling the heavens and extending about eight degrees (8º) on each side of the ecliptic, within which are the larger planets.  It is divided into twelve parts, called signs of the zodiac, which formerly corresponded to twelve constellations bearing the same names.  Now, owing to the precession of the equinoxes, each constellation is in the sign that has the name next following its own.  The following are the Latin names of the signs in their order, with their English equivalents.  Spring:  Aries (Ram); Taurus (Bull); Gemini (Twins).  Summer:  Cancer (Crab); Leo (Lion); Virgo (Virgin).  Autumn: Libra (Balance); Scorpio (Scorpion); Sagittarius (Archer).  Winter:  Capricornus (He goat); Aquarius (Water-carrier); Pisces (Fishes).  Source:  Practical Standard Dictionary

This link will be to the French:  zodiaque.  This link will be to the German:  tierkreis.  This link will be to the Spanish:  zodiaco.

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Associations with zodiac, Definition 1, are:

astronomy is a noun.  Definition 1 of 2 is:  The science that treats of the heavenly bodies, their motions, magnitudes, distances, and physical constitution.  Definition 2 is:  A treatise on this science.

ecliptic as a noun.  Definition 1 of 2, in Astronomy, Part 1 is:  That plane, passing through the center of the sun, which contains the orbit of the earth.  Part 2 is:  The great circle in which this plane intersects the celestial sphere; the apparent path of the sun around the celestial sphere.

constellation is a noun.  Definition 1 of 4 is:  A group or cluster of stars (forming a recognizable shape and given its name).

precession is a noun.  Definition 1 of 1 is:  The act of preceding or coming in advance of time or of other persons or things.

precession of the equinoxes, a slow motion of the equinoctial points on the ecliptic from east to west, causing the time between successive equinoxes to be appreciably shorter than it would otherwise be:  caused by the attraction of the sun and moon upon the equatorial protuberance of the earth.

astrology is a noun.  Definition 1 of 2 is:  Anciently, the science of the stars; practical astronomy. Definition 2 is:  The investigation of the aspects, et cetera, of the planets, and their imagined influence upon the destinies of men; star-divination.

Definition 2 is:  Figuratively, a complete circuit; round.  Source:  Practical Standard Dictionary

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Associations with zodiac, Definition 2, are:

circle as a noun.  Definition 1 of 15 in Geometry is:  (1) A plane figure bounded by a curved line everywhere equally distant from the center.  (2) The circumference of such a figure:  the sense usual in higher geometry.  Definition 2 is:  A circular object or arrangement of objects, or that included within it; a circumference; an enclosure; a ring; halo; as, a circle around the moon.

Definition 3 rarely is:  A circle; halo.  Source:  Practical Standard Dictionary

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Associations with zodiac, Definition 3, are:

halo as a noun.  Definition 1 of 3 is:  A luminous circle around the sun or the moon, caused by the refraction of light passing through ice crystals floating in the air.  

The singular possessive of zodiac is:  zodiac's.  The plural(?) of zodiac is:  zodiacs.  The plural possessive of zodiacs is:  zodiacs'.

zodiac synonyms, antonyms and etymology.

zodiacal is an adjective. It is pronounced zo•di'a•cal. Of or pertaining to the zodiac.

zodiacal light, a disk of faint light around the sun lying near the plane of the ecliptic and extending slightly beyond the orbit of the earth.  It may be seen as a pillar of light in the west at evening twilight in winter and spring, or in the east before daybreak from September till January.

Within the hierarchical structure, this down link is to constellation and this up link is to galaxy.

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