E*clipse" (&esl;*kl&ibreve;ps"), n. [F.
éclipse, L. eclipsis, fr. Gr.
'e`kleipsis, prop., a forsaking, failing, fr.
'eklei`pein to leave out, forsake; 'ek out +
lei`pein to leave. See Ex-, and Loan.]
1. (Astron.) An interception or
obscuration of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by
the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye,
or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar
eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a
solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A
satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The
obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of
the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The
eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a
transit of the planet.
&fist; In ancient times, eclipses were, and among unenlightened
people they still are, superstitiously regarded as forerunners of
evil fortune, a sentiment of which occasional use is made in
literature.
That fatal and perfidious bark,
Built in the eclipse, and rigged with curses
dark.
Milton.
2. The loss, usually temporary or partial, of
light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration;
gloom; darkness.
All the posterity of our fist parents suffered a
perpetual eclipse of spiritual life.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
As in the soft and sweet eclipse,
When soul meets soul on lovers' lips.
Shelley.
Annular eclipse. (Astron.) See under
Annular. -- Cycle of eclipses. See
under Cycle.
E*clipse", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Eclipsed (&esl;*kl&ibreve;pst"); p. pr. &
vb. n. Eclipsing.] 1. To cause
the obscuration of; to darken or hide; -- said of a heavenly body;
as, the moon eclipses the sun.
2. To obscure, darken, or extinguish the
beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into
the shade by surpassing. "His eclipsed state."
Dryden.
My joy of liberty is half
eclipsed.
Shak.
E*clipse", v. i. To suffer an
eclipse.
While the laboring moon
Eclipses at their charms.
Milton.
