| Eclipse | n. [ F. éclipse, L. eclipsis, fr. Gr. 'e`kleipsis, prop., a forsaking, failing, fr. 'eklei`pein to leave out, forsake; 'ek out + lei`pein to leave. See Ex-, and Loan. ] 1. (Astron.) An interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye, or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a transit of the planet. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ In ancient times, eclipses were, and among unenlightened people they still are, superstitiously regarded as forerunners of evil fortune, a sentiment of which occasional use is made in literature. [ 1913 Webster ] That fatal and perfidious bark,
Built in the eclipse, and rigged with curses dark. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness. [ 1913 Webster ] All the posterity of our fist parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ] As in the soft and sweet eclipse,
When soul meets soul on lovers' lips. Shelley. [ 1913 Webster ]
Annular eclipse. (Astron.) See under Annular. --
Cycle of eclipses. See under Cycle. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Eclipse | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Eclipsed p. pr. & vb. n. Eclipsing. ] 1. To cause the obscuration of; to darken or hide; -- said of a heavenly body; as, the moon eclipses the sun. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing. “His eclipsed state.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] My joy of liberty is half eclipsed. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| 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 ] |
