eclipse

¹eclipse

noun \i-ˈklips\

Definition of ECLIPSE

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

Examples of ECLIPSE

1. an eclipse of the sun
2. The popularity of television led to the eclipse of the radio drama.
3. an artist whose reputation has long been in eclipse

Illustration of ECLIPSE

Origin of ECLIPSE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ECLIPSE

Synonyms

decadence, declension, declination, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, ebb, decline, fall

Antonyms

ascent, rise, upswing

Related Words

dark age, nadir, sunset; decay, rotting, spoiling; breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution; abasement, debasement; depreciation, lessening; decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination; abatement, decrease, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide, downtrend, downturn, drop, drop-off, falloff, loss, lowering, reduction, sag, shrinkage, slip, slump

Near Antonyms

advancement, development, evolution, growth; blossoming, flourishing, flowering; renewal, restoration, revitalization; heightening; accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

Rhymes with ECLIPSE

ellipse, midships

²eclipse

transitive verb

eclipsedeclips·ing

Definition of ECLIPSE

: to cause an eclipse of: as

a : obscure, darken

b : to reduce in importance or repute

c : surpass <her score eclipsed the old record>

Examples of ECLIPSE

1. The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon.
2. Train travel was eclipsed by the growth of commercial airlines.

First Known Use of ECLIPSE

13th century

Related to ECLIPSE

Synonyms

beat, better, surpass, exceed, excel, outclass, outdistance, outdo, outgun, outmatch, outshine, outstrip, overtop, top, tower (over), transcend

Related Words

one-up, outpace, outrace, outrun, overpass; best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, outcompete, outperform, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst; outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump

Near Antonyms

lose (to)

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

eclipse

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Eclipses of the Sun and Moon. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the …—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

The passage of all or part of one celestial body into the shadow of another, the eclipsing body. Observers on Earth experience two major types—lunar eclipses and solar eclipses—each of which involves the Sun and the Moon. The type observed depends on whether Earth is the eclipsing body or the body in shadow. In a lunar eclipse the orbit of the Moon carries it through Earth's shadow. Observers see the full Moon dim considerably, but it remains faintly visible. In a solar eclipse the Moon is the eclipsing body, passing between Earth and the Sun while casting a traveling shadow across Earth's lighted surface. Observers along the shadow's path see a total or partial obscuring of the Sun's disk by the Moon's silhouette. The shadow cast by the eclipsing body consists of the central umbra, into which no direct sunlight penetrates (total eclipse), and the encircling penumbra, reached by light from only part of the Sun's disk (partial eclipse). Solar eclipses visible from different parts of Earth occur two to five times a year; one total solar eclipse occurs in most years. When Earth is closest to the Sun and the Moon farthest from Earth, the Moon's silhouette may fall entirely within the Sun's disk, with a ring of the disk visible around it (annular eclipse). Lunar eclipses occur twice in most years. Other kinds of eclipses include those of the Sun by Mercury or Venus (transits), of distant stars by planets or planetary satellites (occultations), and of stars by orbiting companion stars (see eclipsing variable star). See also Baily's beads.