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Pisces

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Acronyms, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.05 sec.
Pisces (pī`sēz) [Lat.,=the fishes], constellation constellation, in common usage, group of stars that appear to form a configuration in the sky; properly speaking, a constellation is a definite region of the sky in which the configuration of stars is contained.
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 lying directly S of Andromeda and on the ecliptic ecliptic (ēklĭp`tĭk, ĭ–)
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 (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Aries and Aquarius; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac zodiac (zō`dēăk) [Gr.
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. Pisces is traditionally depicted as two fishes. Because of the precession of the equinoxes precession of the equinoxes, westward motion of the equinoxes along the ecliptic . This motion was first noted by Hipparchus c.120 B.C. The precession is due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun on the equatorial bulge of the earth, which causes the
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, the vernal equinox has moved westward from the constellation Aries (where it was located c.2,000 years ago) into Pisces. There are no exceptionally bright stars in Pisces, but a nova was observed there in 1925. Pisces reaches its highest point in the evening sky in November.

Pisces

(Latin: “Fishes”) In astronomy, the constellation lying between Aries and Aquarius; in astrology, the twelfth sign of the zodiac, governing approximately the period February 19–March 20. Its symbol is two fish tied together. These are a reference to the Greek myth of Aphrodite and Eros, who jumped into a river to escape the monster Typhon and were changed into fish. In another version of the myth, two fish carried them to safety.


Pisces
1. Astronomy a faint extensive zodiacal constellation lying between Aquarius and Aries on the ecliptic
2. Astrology
a. the twelfth sign of the zodiac, symbol &3x2653;, having a mutable water classification and ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune. The sun is in this sign between about Feb. 19 and March 20
b. a person born when the sun is in this sign
3. 
a. a taxonomic group that comprises all fishes
b. a taxonomic group that comprises the bony fishes only
4. Astrology born under or characteristic of Pisces

Pisces (zoology)

A term that embraces all fishes and fishlike vertebrates. The Pisces include four well-defined groups that merit recognition as classes: the Agnatha or jawless fishes, the most primitive; the Placodermi or armored fishes, known only as Paleozoic fossils; the Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fishes; and the Osteichthyes or bony fishes. See Chondrichthyes


Pisces
fishes (Feb. 19-Mar. 20). [Astrology: Hall, 314]
See : Zodiac


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As we pluck out the shafts, stand aside; here's the battering-ram, Capricornus, or the Goat; full tilt, he comes rushing, and headlong we are tossed; when Aquarius, or the Water-bearer, pours out his whole deluge and drowns us; and to wind up with Pisces, or the Fishes, we sleep.
 
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