Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense eclipses, present participle eclipsing, past tense, past participle eclipsed
1. countable noun [oft adjective NOUN]
An eclipseof the sun is an occasion when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so that for a short time you cannot see part or all of the sun. An eclipseof the moon is an occasion when the Earth is between the sun and the moon, so that fora short time you cannot see part or all of the moon.
...an eclipse of the sun. [+ of]
...the solar eclipse on May 21st.
...the total lunar eclipse on 10 December.
2. verb
If one thing is eclipsedby a second thing that is bigger, newer, or more important than it, the first thing is no longer noticed because the second thing gets all the attention.
The gramophone had been eclipsed by new technology such as the compact disc. [beVERB-ed + by]
Of course, nothing is going to eclipse winning the Olympic title. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: surpass, exceed, overshadow, excel More Synonyms of eclipse
More Synonyms of eclipse
eclipse in British English
(ɪˈklɪps)
noun
1.
the total or partial obscuring of reflected light from a celestial body as a result of its passage through the shadow of another. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the earth
See also solar eclipse, 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
verb(transitive)
5.
to cause an eclipse of
6.
to cast a shadow upon; darken; obscure
7.
to overshadow or surpass in importance, power, etc
Derived forms
eclipser (eˈclipser)
noun
Word origin
C13: back formation from Old English eclypsis, from Latin eclīpsis, from Greek ekleipsis a forsaking, from ekleipein to abandon, from leipein to leave
eclipse in American English
(ɪˈklɪps; iˈklɪps)
noun
1.
the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, esp. of the sunwhen 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)
2.
any overshadowing or cutting off of light
3.
a dimming or extinction, as of fame or glory
verb transitiveWord forms: eˈclipsed or eˈclipsing
4.
to cause an eclipse of; darken or obscure
5.
to make seem less brilliant, famous, etc. by being even more so; overshadow; outshine; surpass
Word origin
ME < OFr < L eclipsis < Gr ekleipsis, an abandoning, eclipse < ekleipein, to leave out, fail < ek-, out + leipein, to leave < IE base *leikw-, to leave > loan, L linquere
More idioms containing
eclipse
in eclipse
Examples of 'eclipse' in a sentence
eclipse
It was a total eclipse of the stage.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A rare total eclipse of the moon will make your emotions a useful bit tougher and ambitions stronger.
The Sun (2016)
And we need YOU to help us eclipse our growing total.
The Sun (2016)
The total eclipse of the moon focuses on your marriage chart and stirs instant proposals.
The Sun (2014)
The eclipse can be seen more easily live on the internet.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Who would have thought it possible that a humble body part could eclipse a royal bride?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Why were they so concerned to predict lunar eclipses that have no practical importance to farmers?
Brennan, J. H. A Guide to Megalithic Ireland (1992)
Your family life is the focus of the solar eclipse.
The Sun (2011)
The total eclipse of the moon inspires you to give and get more love.
The Sun (2011)
On my way came the darkness caused by the eclipse.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
The powerful eclipse of the moon uncovers exciting facts about your family past.
The Sun (2011)
Some other countries will see a total eclipse.
The Sun (2006)
There have been some particularly notable lunar eclipses in the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
YOU'RE at the centre of the action with the solar eclipse in your sign.
The Sun (2013)
The eclipses of the sun and moon link discoveries about your family to a reunion with an international flavour.
The Sun (2011)
The partial eclipse will be over shortly after 11am.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
May 's eclipse is the perfect deadline for a friend to keep a promise.
The Sun (2012)
Since then, it might be fair to say that her fame has eclipsed his.
The Sun (2012)
Inevitably, the results were eclipsed by the unfolding board and investor drama.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The total eclipse on Friday gives you a new signpost.
The Sun (2015)
For those lucky enough to have had clear skies, the partial solar eclipse yesterday was a wondrous sight.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The total eclipse of the sun in your birth sign makes today a turning point when wishes you make with a sincere heart can happen.
The Sun (2012)
The tone of her voice sounded as though she rather suspected that I had somehow caused the eclipse.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
The second eclipse highlights money, making you more prosperous but also helping you agree on a fair way to share out cash and other responsibilities.
The Sun (2008)
Could June's eclipse result in a ring?
The Sun (2012)
One of the observations will test a long-standing claim that clouds covering the Sun can sometimes part during an eclipse.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The second eclipse gives you a new and very intuitive understanding of people's secret feelings - and this will help relationships.
The Sun (2008)
I can think of worse things, one might be eclipsed by one's wife for example.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
eclipse
British English: eclipse NOUN
An eclipse of the sun is an occasion when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so that for a short time you cannot see part or all of the sun. An eclipse of the moon is an occasion when the Earth is between the sun and the moon, so that for a short time you cannot see part or all of the moon.
...an eclipse of the sun.
American English: eclipse
Brazilian Portuguese: eclipse
Chinese: > 食日、月
European Spanish: eclipse
French: éclipse
German: Finsternis
Italian: eclissi
Japanese: >食天体の
Korean: 일식 및 월식의 식
European Portuguese: eclipse
Latin American Spanish: eclipse
British English: eclipse VERB
If one thing is eclipsed by a second thing that is bigger, newer, or more important than it, the first thing is no longer noticed because the second thing gets all the attention.
The gramophone had been eclipsed by new technology such as the compact disc.
American English: eclipse
Brazilian Portuguese: eclipsar
Chinese: > 亏蚀日、月
European Spanish: eclipsar
French: éclipser
German: in den Schatten stellen
Italian: eclissare
Japanese: 凌駕する
Korean: ~을 그늘지게 하다
European Portuguese: eclipsar
Latin American Spanish: eclipsar
All related terms of 'eclipse'
in eclipse
much less successful and important than before
lunar eclipse
the total or partial obscuring of reflected light from a celestial body as a result of its passage through the shadow of another. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the earth
solar eclipse
the total or partial obscuring of the sun by the moon
total eclipse
an eclipse as seen from a particular area of the earth's surface where the eclipsed body is completely hidden
annular eclipse
an eclipse of the sun in which the moon does not cover the entire disc of the sun, so that a ring of sunlight surrounds the shadow of the moon
eclipse plumage
seasonal plumage that occurs in certain birds after the breeding plumage and before the winter plumage: characterized by dull coloration
eclipse scotoma
a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by viewing the sun directly
partial eclipse
an eclipse , esp of the sun , in which the body is only partially hidden
eclipse scotomata
a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by viewing the sun directly
Chinese translation of 'eclipse'
eclipse
(ɪˈklɪps)
n(c)
[of sun, moon]食 (shí) (次, cì)
vt
[achievement]使失色 (shǐ shīsè)
1 (noun)
Definition
the obscuring of reflected light from a celestial body as it passes through the shadow of another; a lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the earth
a total eclipse of the sun
Synonyms
obscuring
covering
blocking
shading
dimming
extinction
darkening
blotting out
occultation
2 (noun)
Definition
a loss of importance, power, or fame
the eclipse of the influence of the Republican party in West Germany
Synonyms
decline
Rome's decline in the fifth century.
fall
There was a sharp fall in the value of the pound.
loss
failure
He was being treated for kidney failure.
weakening
deterioration
the rapid deterioration in relations between the two countries
degeneration
the degeneration of our political system
diminution
a slight diminution in asset value
1 (verb)
Definition
to overshadow or surpass
The gramophone was eclipsed by the compact disc.
Synonyms
surpass
He was determined to surpass the achievements of his older brothers.
exceed
His performance exceeded all expectations.
overshadow
She overshadows all the other members of the cast.
excel
Few dancers have excelled her in virtuosity.
transcend
issues like EU membership that transcend party loyalty
outdo
Both sides have tried to outdo each other.
outclass
This story outclasses anything written by her contemporaries.
outshine
He outshone all the other contestants.
leave or put in the shade (informal)
2 (verb)
Definition
(of a star or planet) to hide (another planet or star) from view
The sun was eclipsed by the moon.
Synonyms
obscure
The building is almost completely obscured by a huge banner.
cover
the black patch which covered his left eye
block
a row of spruce trees that blocked his view
cloud
conceal
The device, concealed in a dustbin, was defused by police.
dim
veil
Her hair swept across her face, as if to veil it.
darken
A storm darkened the sky.
shroud
Mist shrouded the outline of the palace.
extinguish
The message extinguished her hopes of seeing her friend any time soon.
blot out
Additional synonyms
in the sense of block
Definition
to obstruct or impede by introducing an obstacle
a row of spruce trees that blocked his view
Synonyms
obscure,
bar,
cut off,
interrupt,
obstruct,
get in the way of,
shut off
in the sense of cloud
Definition
to make or become more difficult to see through
Synonyms
obscure,
shadow,
shade,
eclipse,
veil,
obfuscate (formal)
in the sense of conceal
Definition
to cover and hide
The device, concealed in a dustbin, was defused by police.