eclipse
n
1 the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth; a lunar eclipse when the earth passes between the sun and the moon
See also →
total eclipse →
partial eclipse →
annular eclipse
Compare →
occultation
2 the period of time during which such a phenomenon occurs
3 any dimming or obstruction of light
4 a loss of importance, power, fame, etc., esp. through overshadowing by another
vb tr
6 to cast a shadow upon; darken; obscure
7 to overshadow or surpass in importance, power, etc.
(C13: back formation from Old English eclypsis, from Latin eclipsis, from Greek ekleipsis a forsaking, from ekleipein to abandon, from leipein to leave)
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eclipser n