Definition of Eclipse

1. Noun. One celestial body obscures another.

Exact synonyms: Occultation
Terms within: Egress, Emersion, Immersion, Ingress
Generic synonyms: Break, Interruption
Specialized synonyms: Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse, Total Eclipse, Partial Eclipse

2. Verb. Be greater in significance than. "The tragedy overshadowed the couple's happiness"
Exact synonyms: Dominate, Overshadow
Generic synonyms: Brood, Bulk Large, Hover, Loom

3. Verb. Cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention. "Planets and stars often are occulted by other celestial bodies"
Exact synonyms: Occult
Generic synonyms: Overshadow

Definition of Eclipse

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

3. v. i. To suffer an eclipse.

Definition of Eclipse

1. to obscure [v ECLIPSED, ECLIPSING, ECLIPSES] - See also: obscure

Medical Definition of Eclipse

1. 1. 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. 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." (Milton) 2. 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." (Sir W. Raleigh) "As in the soft and sweet eclipse, When soul meets soul on lovers' lips." (Shelley) Annular eclipse. Origin: F. Eclipse, L. Eclipsis, fr. Gr, prop, a forsaking, failing, fr. To leave out, forsake; out + to leave. See Ex-, and Loan. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Eclipse

eclamptic retinopathy
eclamptogenic
eclat
eclats
eclectic
eclectic
eclectically
eclecticism
eclecticism
eclecticisms
eclecticist
eclectics
eclectic method
eclegm
eclipse (current term)
eclipse (current term)
eclipsed
eclipser
eclipsers
eclipses
eclipse blindness
eclipse period
eclipse phase
eclipsing
eclipsis
eclipsises
ecliptic
ecliptic
ecliptics
eclogite

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