[f. L. constellāt-: see prec. and -ATE3.]
† 1. trans. Astrol. a. To construct (a charm, etc.) under a particular ‘constellation’; to affect with stellar ‘influence’ (cf. CONSTELLATED 1). b. To cast the nativity or horoscope of a person).
1621. Beaum. & Fl., Thierry & Theod., III. i. Brun. You know Leforte’s cell? Lec. Who constellated your fair birth?
a. 1631. Donne, Elegy Mrs. Drury. What Artist now dares boast that he can bring Heaven hither, or constellate any thing, So as the influence of those stars may be Imprison’d in a herb, or charm, or tree, And do by touch all which those stars could do?
c. pass. To be predestined (to a fate, condition, disposition, etc.) by the ‘stars’ one is born under.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. v. 19. Great constitutions, and such as are constellated unto knowledge.
1672. W. de Britaine, Interest Eng. in Dutch War, 25. Neither am I by my Stars constellated to be rich.
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. xi. (1860), 87, note. There may be individuals born and constellated so opposite to another individual nature, that the same sphere cannot hold them.
1829. Health & Longevity, 215. Unless we are constellated into death or life.
2. To cluster together (stars) into a constellation; to make a constellation of, form as a constellation. Often transf. or fig.
1643. Howell, Parables on Times, 6. The whole Host of Heaven being constellated thus into one great Body.
1661. Boyle, Style H. Script., 111. To them that know how to Constellate those Lights.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 201, ¶ 4. He … must … constellate in himself the scattered graces which shine single in other men.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Art, Wks. (Bohn), I. 149. These works were not always thus constellated; they are the contributions of many ages and many countries.
1851. Ruskin, Stones Ven., I. viii. § 30. That all shafts … shall … constellate themselves into clusters.
3. To stud or thickly adorn.
a. 1691. Boyle, Wks. (1772), V. 561 (R.). You will not much wonder, that I place this virtue among those that constellate, if I may so speak, an heroic mind.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., I. vi. (1852), 83. Behold a colony, indeed, constellated with many stars of the first magnitude.
4. intr. To cluster or congregate together, as stars do in a constellation.
1647. Cleveland, Char. Lond. Diurn., 41. He breaths a grand Committee; all that were The wonders of their Age, constellate here.
a. 1683. Oldham, On Morwent, Poet. Wks. (1686), 77. Those parts … Like Stars did all constellate here And met together in one Sphere.
1850. Mrs. Browning, Man & Nature, 11. Flowers, that constellate on earth.
1871. Macduff, Mem. Patmos, xix. 268. All other works and designs of Providence constellate around the Cross of Calvary.
