Ecliptic | a. [ L. eclipticus belonging to an eclipse, Gr. 'ekleiptiko`s. See Eclipse. ] 1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. [ 1913 Webster ] Lunar ecliptic limit (Astron.), the space of 12° on the moon's orbit from the node, within which, if the moon happens to be at full, it will be eclipsed. -- Solar ecliptic limit, the space of 17° from the lunar node, within which, if a conjunction of the sun and moon occur, the sun will be eclipsed. [ 1913 Webster ]
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ecliptic | n. [ Cf. F. écliptique, L. linea ecliptica, Gr. 'ekleiptiko`s, prop. adj., of an eclipse, because in this circle eclipses of the sun and moon take place. See Ecliptic, a. ] 1. (Astron.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23° 28′. It is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Geog.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23° 28′ with the equator; -- used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems. [ 1913 Webster ] |