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1

eclipse

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noun \i-ˈklips\

Definition of eclipse

  1. 1a :  the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by anotherb :  the passing into the shadow of a celestial body — compare occultation, transit

  2. 2 :  a falling into obscurity or decline; also :  the state of being eclipsed his reputation has fallen into eclipse

  3. 3 :  the state of being in eclipse plumage

See eclipse defined for English-language learners

See eclipse defined for kids

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Examples of eclipse in a Sentence

  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 and Etymology 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

eclipse Synonyms

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

2

eclipse

verb

Definition of eclipse

eclipsed

;

eclipsing
  1. transitive verb

  2. :  to cause an eclipse of: such asa :  obscure, darkenb :  to reduce in importance or reputec :  surpass her score eclipsed the old record

See eclipse defined for English-language learners

Examples of eclipse in a Sentence

  1. The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon.

  2. Train travel was eclipsed by the growth of commercial airlines.

13th Century

First Known Use of eclipse

13th century

eclipse Synonyms

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

Phrases Related to ECLIPSE

Related Phrases

ECLIPSE Defined for English Language Learners

eclipse

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noun

Definition of eclipse for English Language Learners

  • : an occasion when the sun looks like it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle because the moon is between the sun and the Earth

  • : an occasion when the moon looks like it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle because the Earth's shadow is on it

  • : a loss of power, success, popularity, etc.

eclipse

verb

Definition of eclipse for English Language Learners

  • : to cause an eclipse of (the sun or moon)

  • : to make (something) less important or popular

  • : to do or be much better than (someone or something)

ECLIPSE Defined for Kids

1

eclipse

play
noun \i-ˈklips\

Definition of eclipse for Students

  1. 1 :  a complete or partial hiding of the sun caused by the moon's passing between the sun and the earth

  2. 2 :  a darkening of the moon caused by its entering the shadow of the earth

  3. 3 :  the hiding of any heavenly body by another

2

eclipse

play
verb

Definition of eclipse for Students

eclipsed

;

eclipsing

  1. 1 :  to cause an eclipse of The sun was eclipsed by the moon.

  2. 2 :  to be or do much better than :  outshine The racer's time eclipsed the old record.

Learn More about eclipse

  1. See words that rhyme with eclipse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for eclipse Spanish Central: Translation of eclipse Nglish: Translation of eclipse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of eclipse for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eclipse

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Examples: eclipse in a Sentence