[ ɪ'klɪps ]
■ noun
1》 an obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer or between it and its source of illumination.
↘an instance of being ~d by another person or thing.
2》 Ornithology a phase during which the distinctive markings of a bird (especially a male duck) are obscured by moulting of the breeding plumage.
■ verb
1》 (of a celestial body) obscure the light from or to (another body).
2》 deprive of significance, power, or prominence.
Origin
ME: from OFr. e(s)clipse (n.), ~r (v.), via L. from Gk ekleipsis , from ekleipein 'fail to appear, be ~d'.