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]