What word derives from the Greek for "circle of animals"?

The word zodiac comes to English in the late 14th century through the Old French word zodiaque, which came from Latin zodiacus, which came from the Greek word zodiakos. The Greek word zodiakos literally means "circle of little animals,” having as its root the Greek word zoion, which means "animal.” The word zodiac reflects the prominence of animals (including mythological animals) among the twelve signs.