Eclipse Definition
ĭ-klĭps
eclipsed, eclipses, eclipsing
noun
eclipses
The partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, esp. of the sun when the moon comes between it and the earth (called solar eclipse), or of the moon when the earth's shadow is cast upon it (called lunar eclipse)
Webster's New World
The period of time during which such an obscuration occurs.
American Heritage
Any overshadowing or cutting off of light.
Webster's New World
A dimming or extinction, as of fame or glory.
Webster's New World
A fall into obscurity or disuse; a decline.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
eclipsed, eclipses, eclipsing
To cause an eclipse of; darken or obscure.
Webster's New World
To obscure; darken.
American Heritage
To make seem less brilliant, famous, etc. by being even more so; overshadow; outshine; surpass.
Webster's New World
To obscure or diminish in importance, fame, or reputation.
American Heritage
To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
The student’s skills soon eclipsed those of his teacher.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Origin of Eclipse
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Middle English from Old French from Latin eclīpsis from Greek ekleipsis from ekleipein to fail to appear, suffer an eclipse ek- out ecto– leipein to leave leikw- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Old French eclipse, from Latin eclīpsis, from Ancient Greek ἔκλειψις (ekleipsis, “eclipse”), from ἐκλείπω (ekleipō, “I abandon, got missing, vanish”), from ἐκ (ek, “out”) and λείπω (leipō, “I leave behind”).
From Wiktionary
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