constellation Look up constellation at Dictionary.com
early 14c., from O.Fr. constellation, from L.L. constellationem (nom. constellatus) "set with stars," from L. com- "with" + pp. of stellare "to shine," from stella "star." Originally in astrology, of position of planets ("stars") in regard to one another on a given day, usually one's birth day, as a determination of one's character. "I folwed ay myn inclinacioun/By vertu of my constillacioun" (Chaucer, "Wife's Prologue," c.1386). Modern astronomical sense is from 1550s.