ecliptic
adjEtymology From Middle English ecliptik, from Latin eclīpticus.
1
Relating to an eclipse or the ecliptic.
- Derived terms
- ecliptic longitude
ecliptic
nounUK /ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin eclīptica. So named because an eclipse can occur only when the Moon lies on this plane.
1
Astronomy, Natural sciences The great circle on the celestial sphere that is the mean apparent path of the sun as viewed from the earth.
2
Astronomy, Natural sciences The plane in which this great circle lies.
3
Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
- Derived terms
- plane of ecliptic, superecliptic