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, transit
2 : 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]