proper noun
cancer
The northern constellation depicted as a crab.
The star chart places Cancer between Gemini and Leo.
Etymology
Latin cancer means crab. The constellation carries that animal’s name because its traditional figure is a crab, continuing the classical naming of groups of stars through familiar creatures.
More examples
- Cancer is traditionally represented by a crab.
- She identified Cancer above the horizon.
- His horoscope lists Cancer as his zodiac sign.
Forms
Cancer
Similar words
- zodiac
- The belt or system containing Cancer and other constellations or signs.