constellation

Where does the word "constellation" come from? It comes from Late Latin constellatio, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Constellation’s story begins in Late Latin: constellatio meant “a group of stars set together.” Literally a setting together with stars, from com- (together) and stella (star). It reached English by 1300s as constellation. Settled as the English word for a recognized grouping of stars. Today, constellation means a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the sky.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient constellatio "a group of stars set together", literally a setting together with stars, from com- (together) and stella (star).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s constellation "a recognized grouping of stars forming a pattern", settled as the English word for a recognized grouping of stars.