[L. taurus bull.]
1. Astron. a. The second of the zodiacal constellations, the Bull, in which are included the groups of the Pleiades and Hyades. b. Also, the second of the divisions or signs of the Zodiac, into which the sun enters on or near the 21st of April: originally identical with the constellation (cf. CANCER 2). Symbol ♉.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., I. § 21. As aries hath [respect to] thin heued, & taurus thy nekke & thy throte, gemyni thyn armholes & thin armes.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VIII. x. (Bodl. MS.). Taurus … is an erþy signe … And he is þe hous of substance and of ryches and possessioun of fonging & of ȝeuynge.
1550. Askham, Treat. Astron. The Moone is the lady of Cancer, & is honored in Taurus, so that all thynges conteyned vnder these sygnes are ruled by the Moone.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., IV. iii. 69. See, see, thou hast shot off one of Taurus hornes.
1664. Butler, Hud., II. III. 904. Some say the Zodiack-Constellations Have long since chang’d their antique Stations Above a Sign, and prove the same In Taurus now, once in the Ram.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 769. As Bees In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides.
1715. Whiston, The Copernicus Explain’d, 22. Last Number stands 12 d. 15 m. of Taurus; which is therefore the Sun’s True Place in the Ecliptick at that time.
1868. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., § 94. 36. In 1861 it was found that a small nebula, discovered in 1856 in Taurus … had disappeared.
† 2. Zool. An obsolete genus including the common ox (now Bos taurus).
