Word
eclipse
US/əˈkɫɪps/
UK/ɪklˈɪps/
Definitions
01astronomical event
n. an occasion when the moon or a planet moves into a position that blocks the light of the sun.
n. the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another, typically involving the alignment of the sun, earth, and moon.
“We wore special glasses to watch the solar eclipse safely.”
“The total solar eclipse provided a rare opportunity for researchers to observe the sun's corona without the interference of the bright solar disk.”
Usage
Often used with the adjectives 'solar' or 'lunar'.
Synonyms
02loss of power or fame
n. a time when someone or something becomes less successful, famous, or important.
n. a loss of significance, power, or prominence, often due to the rise of a competitor.
“The sudden eclipse of the empire surprised many historians.”
“The rapid eclipse of the traditional manufacturing sector led to widespread economic anxiety in the northern provinces.”
Literary
03to outshine or surpass
v. to be much better or more important than something else, making it seem less significant.
v. to surpass or outshine another in importance, fame, or achievement; to make another entity appear insignificant by comparison.
“Her latest book will likely eclipse all her previous work.”
“The athlete's record-breaking performance managed to eclipse the achievements of his predecessors, securing his legacy in the sport.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“An eye surgeon says that fewer people have been seeking treatment for eye damage than after the UK's last total solar eclipse in 1999.” “People gathered across the continent to watch the total solar eclipse on Wednesday.” “It is 64 years before a total eclipse of the sun will be seen over Britain.” Etymology
From Old French eclipse, from Latin eclīpsis, from Ancient Greek ἔκλειψις (ékleipsis, “eclipse”), from ἐκλείπω (ekleípō, “I abandon, go missing, vanish”), from ἐκ (ek, “out”) and λείπω (leípō, “I leave behind”). Doublet of eclipsis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.