— ecliptically , adv.
/i klip"tik/ , n.
1. Astron.
a. the great circle formed by the intersection of the plane of the earth's orbit with the celestial sphere; the apparent annual path of the sun in the heavens.
b. an analogous great circle on a terrestrial globe.
2. Astrol. the great circle of the ecliptic, along which are located the 12 houses and signs of the zodiac.
adj. Also, ecliptical .
3. pertaining to an eclipse.
4. pertaining to the ecliptic.
[ 1350-1400; ME ecliptica, fem. of eclipticus ekleiptikós, equiv. to ekleíp ( ein ) (see ECLIPSE) + -tikos -TIC ]