ecliptic

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Etymology

So named because an eclipse can occur only when the Moon lies on this plane.

Borrowed from Latin ecliptica.

Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/

Noun

ecliptic (plural ecliptics)

1. (astronomy) The great circle on the celestial sphere that is the mean apparent path of the sun as viewed from the earth.
2. (astronomy) The plane in which this great circle lies.

   Synonyms: ecliptic plane, plane of the ecliptic

3. (geometry) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.

Translations

• French: écliptique
• German: Ekliptik
• Italian: eclittica
• Portuguese: eclíptica
• Russian: экли́птика
• Spanish: eclíptica

Adjective

ecliptic (not comparable)

1. Relating to an eclipse or the ecliptic.

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