Definition of ecliptic
: of or relating to the ecliptic or an eclipse
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Recent Examples of ecliptic from the Web
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Proximity to ecliptic path is a crucial factor in decisions.
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Origin and Etymology of ecliptic
Middle English ecliptik, from Late Latin ecliptica linea, literally, line of eclipses
Definition of ecliptic
: the great circle of the celestial sphere that is the apparent path of the sun among the stars or of the earth as seen from the sun : the plane of the earth's orbit extended to meet the celestial sphere
Recent Examples of ecliptic from the Web
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The spacecraft carries four telescopes that together will survey a strip of sky extending from the solar system's pole to its equator, known as the ecliptic.
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According to NASA, solar eclipses occur only if the moon is within 0.5 degrees of the plane of the ecliptic, a line passing through the center of the sun and the earth.
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Twice a year, the moon’s orbit crosses that sun-Earth plane, which astronomers call the ecliptic, but that doesn’t usually coincide with the new moon.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecliptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of ecliptic
15th century
Learn More about ecliptic
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Britannica English: Translation of ecliptic for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ecliptic
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