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.
Astrology. the great circle of the ecliptic, along which are located the 12 houses and signs of the zodiac.
–adjective Also, e⋅clip⋅ti⋅cal.
3.
pertaining to an eclipse.
4.
pertaining to the ecliptic.
Origin: 1350–1400; ME < ML eclīptica, fem. of eclīpticus < Gk ekleiptikós, equiv. to ekleíp(ein) (see eclipse) + -tikos-tic
The intersection plane of the earth's orbit with the celestial sphere, along which the sun appears to move as viewed from the earth.
A great circle inscribed on a terrestrial globe inclined at an approximate angle of 23°27' to the equator and representing the apparent motion of the sun in relation to the earth during a year.
[Middle English ecliptik, from Medieval Latin (līnea) eclīptica, ecliptic (line), from Latin eclīpticus, of an eclipse, from Greek ekleiptikos, from ekleipein, to fail to appear; see eclipse.]
[i-klip-tik] 
tɪk