‖ Ophiuchus
(ɒfɪˈ(j)uːkəs)
[L., a. Gr. ὀϕιοῦχος, f. ὀϕιο- ophio- serpent + -εχος -holding, -holder.]
One of the ancient constellations, figured as a man holding a serpent; also called Serpentarius.
| 1658 Phillips, Ophiuchus, a constellation in Sagittary. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 708 And like a Comet burn'd, That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge In th' Arctick Sky. 1727–8 Chambers Cycl., Serpentarius, in astronomy a Constellation of the northern hemisphere called also Ophiuchus, and anciently Aesculapius. 1870 Proctor Other Worlds xi. 254 To account for the appearance of the Milky Way between Centaurus and Ophiuchus. |