An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A segment of the → zodiac extending 2.5 degrees, as considered in Babylonian and Hellenistic astrology; plural: dodekatemoria. Dodekatemoria result from a subdivision of each → zodiacal sign into twelve equal parts, each given the name of a → sign, beginning with the name of the sign being divided and continuing throughout the other eleven sequentially. Each zodiacal sign therefore contained a micro-zodiac within its own 30° span. Textual evidence for the micro-zodiac does not antedate the sixth century BC (F. Rochberg, 2010, In the Path of the Moon, BRILL).

Etymology (EN): From Gk. dodekatemorion “twelfth part,” from dodekate “twelfth” (from dodeka “twelve”) + morion “part.”

Etymology (PE): Davâzdahân, from Mid.Pers. dwâzdahân “the twelve ones,” from dwâzdah (Mod.Pers. davâzdah) “twelve;” Av. dvadasa, from dva “→ two”

• dasa “→ ten.”