aries
/ˈɛəriːz/
noun
Origin
Latin
aries — ram
Overview
Meaning Now
- The first sign of the zodiac, covering the period from approximately March 21 to April 19.
- A northern constellation between Pisces and Taurus, representing a ram.
Literal older meaning
ram
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
aries
Earliest period
1st century BCE
Journey
In Roman military history, the term 'aries' was also used to denote a 'battering ram', a siege engine named after the animal due to the metal-capped head often shaped like a ram's skull.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*aryen-
“ram”
- Latin
aries
“ram, battering ram”
Original term for the animal.
- Middle English
aries
“zodiac sign”
Borrowed into English via astronomical/astrological texts.
Connections
Word parts
aries
root
ram
Related across languages
Latin
ram
Explore next
Related to aries
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.