| 释义 |
▪ I. horoscope, n.|ˈhɒrəskəʊp|
[In current form, a. F. horoscope (= Sp. horoscopo, It. oroscopo), ad. L. hōroscopus, a. Gr. ὡροσκόπος nativity, horoscope (also observer of the hour of nativity, caster of nativities), f. ὥρα time, hour + σκοπός observer, watcher. In early use the L. form also occurs.]
1. Astrol. An observation of the sky and the configuration of the planets at a certain moment, as at the instant of a person's birth; hence, a plan or scheme of the twelve houses or twelve signs of the zodiac, showing the disposition of the heavens at a particular moment. In early use, spec. = ascendant, or house of the ascendant.
to cast a horoscope (see cast v. 39), to calculate the degree of the ecliptic which is on the eastern horizon at a given moment, e.g. at the birth of a child, and thence to erect an astrological figure of the heavens, so as to discover the influence of the planets upon his life and fortunes.
c1050Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia VIII. 298 An circul ys þe uðwitan hatað zodiacus oððe horoscopus. c1391Chaucer Astrol. ii. §3 To knowe by nyht or by day the degree of any signe þat assendith on the est Orisonte, which þat is cleped communly the assendent or elles oruscupum. Ibid. §4 Yif þat any planet assende at þat same tyme in thilke for-seide [degre of] his longitude, Men seyn þat thilke planete is in horoscopo. 1568Grafton Chron. I. 45 The Horoscope of the beginning of the said woorke first considered. 1594Blundevil Exerc. iv. xxxvi. (ed. 7) 493 This word Horoscope doth not only signifie the degree of the Ecliptique, otherwise called the ascendent,..but also somtimes the whole figure of heaven containing the 12 houses, and doth shew the very secrets of nature. 1602W. Fulbecke 2nd Pt. Parall. 60 The Horoscope in Astronomy, if it be formally taken is nothing els but horæ inspectio, if it bee materially taken, it is that part of the Zodiacke which ascendeth vpon our hemisphere. 1692Bentley Boyle Lect. iii. 101 Drawing Schemes of their own Horoscopes. 1828Scott F.M. Perth xvi, I have a strong horoscope, and shall live for fifty years to come. 1837Whewell Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857) I. 229 The most important part of the Sky in the astrologer's consideration, was that sign of the Zodiac which rose at the moment of the child's birth, this was, properly speaking, the horoscope, the ascendant or the first house. 1886Pall Mall G. 7 July 4/2 This able and gifted lady..also makes horoscopes, but only ‘to order’; price, 100 francs.
fig.1641Milton Ch. Govt. i. vi, A Lordly ascendent in the horoscope of the Church from Primate to Patriarch, and so to Pope. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iv. 309 Catholics and protestants had alike their horoscope of the impending changes. 1867Longfellow Wind over Chimney vi, These are prophets, bards, and seers; In the horoscope of nations..They control the coming years. 1886Pall Mall G. 26 July 1/1 If we were to cast the horoscope of the new Government solely from the signs afforded us in some quarters.
†2. A figure or table on which the hours are marked.
a. A dial.b. A table showing the length of the days and nights at different places and seasons.
c. A kind of planisphere, invented by John of Padua. Obs.
1623Cockeram, Horoscope, wherin houres bee marked, as in a dyall. a1656Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 98 He also invented..the Horoscope, or instrument whereby to observe the Equinoctials, and the Tropicks, or the summer and winter solstice. 1696Phillips (ed. 5), Horoscope..is also a Mathematical Instrument, made in the form of a planisphere, invented by John Paduanus.
▪ II. ˈhoroscope, v.
[f. prec. n.]
a. intr. To form a horoscope; to inquire into futurity.
b. trans. To cast the nativity of.
1673Marvell Reh. Transp. II. 77 He spent a considerable time in creeping into all Corners and Companies, Horoscoping up and down concerning the duration of the Government. 1888Daily News 16 Feb. 4/8 It would be a good deal more convincing if, instead of horoscoping people dead and gone, he would prophesy about the living.
Hence horoscoper |ˈhɒrəskəʊpə(r)|, one who casts horoscopes; an astrologer.
1561Eden Arte Nauig. Pref., The superstitious Horoscopers (astrologiers I meane and not Astronomers). 1710Shaftesbury Charac., Adv. Author iii. i. (1737) I. 289 Astrologers, horoscopers, and other such, are pleas'd to honour themselves with the title of mathematicians. |