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. 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.)
c. 1320. Seuyn Sag., 339 (W.). Hout wente the maistres sevene, And bihelden up toward hevene: Thai seghe the constillacioun.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 745. Born in corsed constellacioun [v.r. constolacioun]. Ibid. (c. 1386), Wife’s Prol., 616. I folwed ay myn inclinacioun By vertu of my constillacioun.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 21. Some men holde opinion That it is constellacion Which causeth al that a man dothe.
1531. Elyot, Gov., II. xii. (1883), II. 137. He cursed his fate or constellation, and wisshed that he had neuer comen to Athenes.
1686. W. de Britaine, Hum. Prud., xi. 49. I am not by my Constellation destinated to be rich.
1829. Scott, Guy M., Introd. Which period, the constellations intimate, will be the crisis of his fate.
1863. Geo. 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.
[1601. Shaks., Twel. N., I. iv. 35. I know thy constellation is right apt For this affayre.]
a. 1628. Ld. Brooke, Wks., VII. (1633), 277. The different constellation betweene your Husbands nature and yours.
1649. J. Ellistone, trans. Behmen’s Epist., Pref. Be thou of what Calling, Profession, Complexion, Constellation and Disposition thou wilt.
1651. trans. 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.
a. 1643. Jos. 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.
1551. Recorde, Cast. Knowl. (1556), 263. The one sorte are called Northerlye constellations, the other sorte Southerly constellations, and the third sorte are the twelue signes.
1611. Bible, Isa. xiii. 10. The starres of heauen, and the constellations thereof shall not giue their light.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. The constellation which the Greeks called the Argo, was a representation of the sacred ship of Osiris.
1837. Emerson, 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.
1870. H. Macmillan, Bible Teach., i. 14. Orion is … the most striking and splendid constellation in the heavens.
4. transf. and fig.
a. 1631. Donne, Epithalamium, iii., in Poems 1719, 93.
| Up, up, fair Bride, and and call | |
| Thy stars from out their several boxes, take | |
| Thy Rubies, Pearls, and Diamonds forth, and make | |
| Thy self a Constellation of them All. |
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., V. viii. When they first gaze upon a Constellation of fair Ladies.
1739. Gray, Lett., in Poems (1775), 69. A constellation of wax lights burning before them.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 1. That brilliant constellation of prophets, whose light gleamed over the fall of Israel and Judah.
