ECLIPTIC

adj pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses.

2. ecliptic ·adj pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way.

3. ecliptic ·adj a great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23° 28' with the equator;

— used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.

4. ecliptic ·adj a great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23° 28'. it is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun.