eclipse

Meanings

Noun

• An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.
• Especially, an alignment whereby 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 planetary object onto the other planetary object.
• A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.
• Obscurity, decline, downfall

Verb

• Of astronomical or atmospheric bodies, to cause an eclipse.
• To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
• To undergo eclipsis.

Origin

• From Old French eclipse, from Latin eclīpsis, from Ancient Greek ἔκλειψις, from ἐκλείπω, from ἐκ and λείπω.