Definitions for eclipseɪˈklɪps

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

e•clipseɪˈklɪps(n.; v.)e•clipsed, e•clips•ing.

  1. (n.)the obscuring of the light of the moon by the intervention of the earth between it and the sun a similar phenomenon with respect to any other planet, its moon, and the sun. the partial or complete interception of the light of one component of a binary star by the other.

    Category: Astronomy

    Ref: ( lunar eclipse ); ( solar eclipse ).

  2. any obscuring of light.

  3. a reduction or loss of splendor, status, or reputation.

  4. (v.t.)to cause to undergo eclipse:

    The moon eclipsed the sun.

    Category: Astronomy

  5. to make less outstanding or important by comparison; surpass.

Origin of eclipse:

1250–1300; < OF eclipse < L eclīpsis < Gk ékleipsis, der. of ekleípein to leave out, fail to appear

e•clips′er(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. eclipse, occultation(verb)

    one celestial body obscures another

  2. overshadow, dominate, eclipse(verb)

    be greater in significance than

    "the tragedy overshadowed the couple's happiness"

  3. eclipse, occult(verb)

    cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention

    "The Sun eclipses the moon today"; "Planets and stars often are occulted by other celestial bodies"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. eclipse(noun)ɪˈklɪps

    a period when the Moon or Sun becomes partly or completely hidden from sight

    a total eclipse of the moon

Wiktionary

  1. eclipse(Noun)

    An astronomical alignment in which a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle object onto the other object.

  2. eclipse(Noun)

    A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.

  3. eclipse(Verb)

    Of astronomical bodies, to cause an eclipse.

    The Moon eclipsed the Sun.

  4. eclipse(Verb)

    To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.

    The studentu2019s skills soon eclipsed those of his teacher.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Eclipse(noun)

    an interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye, or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a transit of the planet

  2. Eclipse(noun)

    the loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness

  3. Eclipse(verb)

    to cause the obscuration of; to darken or hide; -- said of a heavenly body; as, the moon eclipses the sun

  4. Eclipse(verb)

    to obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing

  5. Eclipse(verb)

    to suffer an eclipse


Translations for eclipse

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

eclipse(verb)

to obscure or cut off the light or sight of (the sun or moon)

The sun was partially eclipsed at 9 a.m.

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