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Ecliptic

 - 2 dictionary results

e⋅clip⋅tic

[i-klip-tik]
–noun
1. Astronomy.
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. 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


e⋅clip⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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e·clip·tic   (ĭ-klĭp'tĭk)   
n.  
  1. The intersection plane of the earth's orbit with the celestial sphere, along which the sun appears to move as viewed from the earth.

  2. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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