[con.stel.la.tion] n [ME constellacioun, fr. MF constellation, fr. LL constellation-, constellatio, fr. L com- + stella star--more at star] (14c) 1: the configuration of stars esp. at one's birth
2: any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
3: an assemblage, collection, or gathering of usu. related persons, qualities, or things "a ~ of ... relatives, friends, and hangers-on --Brendan Gill"
4: pattern, arrangement "taking advantage of the shifting ~ of power throughout the known world --H. D. Lasswell" -- con.stel.la.to.ry adj