ECLIPSE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Eclipse

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/ɪklˈɪps/ /əklˈɪps/ /iklˈɪps/ Listen

noun

Eclipse n.

(Astron.) 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. Note: In ancient times, eclipses were, and among unenlightened people they still are, superstitiously regarded as forerunners of evil fortune, a sentiment of which occasional use is made in literature. "That fatal and perfidious bark, Built in the eclipse, and rigged with curses dark."

The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness. "All the posterity of our fist parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life." "As in the soft and sweet eclipse, When soul meets soul on lovers' lips."

Annular eclipse. (Astron.) See under Annular.

Cycle of eclipses. See under Cycle.

verb

Eclipse v. t. (past & past part. eclipsed; pres. part. eclipsing)

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

To obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing. "His eclipsed state." "My joy of liberty is half eclipsed."

Eclipse v. i. To suffer an eclipse. "While the laboring moon Eclipses at their charms."

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Etymology of 'Eclipse'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Eclipse" Quotes from Famous Books

... the Confederate States is pledged to provide and establish sufficient revenues for the regular payment of the interest, and for the redemption of the principal," read the bonds; but there was a sudden eclipse of faith, and not merely an eclipse, but a collapse, a shrivelling up, like a parched scroll, of the entire Confederacy, which, like its bonds, notes, and certificates ...

— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 92, June, 1865 • Various

... new risen, Looks through the horizontal misty air, Shorn of his beams; or from behind the moon, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half ...

— Life of John Milton • Richard Garnett

... it make if, in a story, the moon has a crater every ten feet, or the black sky of outer space were blazing with moons and aurora borealises, or the sun were in a double eclipse! ...

— Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 • Various

... meadow with boys playing, but a spot which I did not recognise, and forms that made me shudder, or smile. It was not a big boy bullying a little one, but a young wolf with glistening teeth and a lamb cowering before him; or, it was a dog faithful and famishing—or a star going slowly into eclipse—or a rainbow fading—or a flower blooming—or a sun rising—or a ...

— Prue and I • George William Curtis

... on the contrary, was under eclipse. She was pale and lustreless from her disturbed night and early rising; and no opportunity offered to tell a melting tale. Nobody took any notice of ...

— The Story Girl • Lucy Maud Montgomery

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