eclipse

noun

1. 1

   An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.

2. 2

   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.

3. 3

   A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.

4. 4

   Obscurity, decline, downfall.

   a. 1618, Walter Raleigh, quoted in Eclipse, entry in 1805, Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, Volume 2, unnumbered page, All the posterity of our first parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life.

   As in the soft and sweet eclipse, When soul meets soul on lovers' lips.

   Nor were the wool prospects much better. The pastoral industry, which had weathered the severe depression of the early forties by recourse to boiling down the sheep for their tallow, and was now firmly re-established as the staple industry of the colony, was threatened once more with eclipse.

   Aubrey was rapturous. All her other playthings went into eclipse and the doings of the Geezenstacks occupied most of her waking thoughts.

verb

1. 1

   Of astronomical or atmospheric bodies, to cause an eclipse.

   The Moon eclipsed the Sun.

   She turned to the casement on which the moon was shining; for the high wind had driven aside the clouds, whose huge dark masses threatened soon to eclipse the pale and dim circle of passing light.

2. 2

   figurativeTo overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.

   For, till I see them here, by doubtful fear / My joy of liberty is half eclips'd.

   [H]is ſupercilious glances grevv humbled, yea, his dazeling ſplendor (eclipſt in the ſetting [i.e., death] of his Maſter) becomes quickly darkned: […]

   I wish I could prevail on Ethel to come up to London, if it were but for the sake of eclipsing her rival. I will stand godmother to the town's admiration, and promise and vow three things in its name:—first, that she will forget her faithless swain in the multitude of new ones; secondly, that she will be universally ran after; and, thirdly, that she will be brilliantly married.

   The name of the eclipsing girl, whatever it was, has not been handed down; but she was envied by all as the first who enjoyed the luxury of a masculine partner that evening.

3. 3

   To undergo eclipsis.

Forms

plural

eclipses

past tense

eclipsed

past participle

eclipsed

present participle

eclipsing

third person singular

eclipses