Cancer
proper nounnouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkænsə//
- United States//ˈkænsɚ//
A constellation of the zodiac traditionally figured in the shape of a crab.
proper noun
- 1
A constellation of the zodiac traditionally figured in the shape of a crab.
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns / With entertaining great Hyperion.
Cancer was occupied by a scarab in Egypt, so the general shape of animal may have been suggested by Praesepe.
- 2
The zodiac sign for the crab, ruled by the Moon and covering June 22–July 22 (tropical astrology) or July 16–August 15 (sidereal astrology).
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin cancer (“crab”), calque of Ancient Greek Καρκίνος (Karkínos, “crab”), calque of Akkadian 𒀀𒇻𒌅 (allutu, “crab”), from Sumerian 𒀯𒀠𒈜 (ᵐᵘˡAL.LUL, “crab; name of constellation”).
noun
- 1
Someone with a Cancer star sign.
‘All right, so what are Cancers apart from sad, then?’ Lizzie asked.
Forms
- plural
- Cancers
Cancer · A constellation of the zodiac traditionally figured in the shape of a crab.
candace · Title of any Nubian (Kush) queen or queen mother.Candace · A female given name from Ancient Greek.Candice · A female given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Candace.