n.
Pronunciation: i- ' klips
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin eclipsis, from Greek ekleipsis, from ekleipein to omit, fail, suffer eclipse, from ex- + leipein to leave ― more at LOAN
Date: 13th century
1 a : the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another b : the passing into the shadow of a celestial body ― compare OCCULTATION , TRANSIT
2 : a falling into obscurity or decline also : the state of being eclipsed <his reputation has fallen into eclipse >
3 : the state of being in eclipse plumage
eclipse 1a: E earth, M moon in solar eclipse, P penumbra, S sun, U umbra