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eclipse

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eclipse

Main Entry:: ¹eclipse
Pronunciation:: \i-ˈklips\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin eclipsis, from Greek ekleipsis, from ekleipein to omit, fail, suffer eclipse, from ex- + leipein to leave — more at loan
Date:: 13th century

1 a: the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another b: the passing into the shadow of a celestial body — compare occultation, transit2: a falling into obscurity or decline; also : the state of being eclipsed <his reputation has fallen into eclipse>3: the state of being in eclipse plumage

[eclipse illustration]

Learn more about "eclipse" and related topics at Britannica.com

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