WikiWord

English

Virgo

/ˈvɜː.ɡəʊ/ · name

Meaning

  1. A surname.
  2. A large-scale gravitational wave detector located in Pisa, Italy.
  3. Someone with a Virgo star sign
  4. A constellation in the zodiac, traditionally figured in the shape of a maiden holding an ear of wheat (represented by the bright binary star Spica).
  5. The zodiac sign for the virgin, ruled by Mercury, that covers August 23 – September 23 (tropical astrology) or September 16 – October 15 (sidereal astrology).

Etymology / origin

From Latin virgō (“maiden, virgin; name of constellation”), calque of Ancient Greek παρθένος (parthénos, “virgin; name of constellation”), ultimately derived through mythic reinterpretation from ancient Mesopotamian constellations, as Akkadian absinnu (“seed furrow; name of constellation”) and Sumerian 𒀯𒀳 (ᵐᵘˡABSIN₃, “seed furrow; constellation representing fertility/harvest goddess Shala with ear of corn”). Doublet of virgin.

Sources

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