Eclipse
/ɪˈklɪps/noun
An astronomical event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another.
Did you know?In ancient times, eclipses were often seen as omens or supernatural events, believed to signal the wrath of the gods or impending doom.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐκλείψις (ekleipsis)
“The act of leaving out or failing to appear.”
Latin
Latin
eclipsare
“To overshadow or to obscure.”
Old French
Old French
eclipse
“A shadowing or obscuring, referring to celestial events.”
Middle English
Middle English
eclipse
“The state of being eclipsed, particularly in reference to the sun or moon.”
Modern English
English
eclipse
“A total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another.”