Meaning of ECLIPTIC
| Pronunciation: | | i'kliptik
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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[n] the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator; "all of the planets rotate the sun in approximately the same ecliptic" |
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ECLIPTIC is a 8 letter word that starts with E. |
| | See Also: | | great circle | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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\E*clip"tic\, n. [Cf. F. ['e]cliptique, L. linea
ecliptica, Gr. ?, prop. adj., of an eclipse, because in this
circle eclipses of the sun and moon take place. See
{Ecliptic}, a.]
1. (Astron.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making
an angle with the equinoctial of about 23[deg] 28'. It is
the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the
earth as seen from the sun.
2. (Geog.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe,
making an angle of 23[deg] 28' with the equator; -- used
for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
\E*clip"tic\, a. [L. eclipticus belonging to an
eclipse, Gr. ?. See {Eclipse}.]
1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way.
2. Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses.
{Lunar ecliptic limit} (Astron.), the space of 12[deg] on the
moon's orbit from the node, within which, if the moon
happens to be at full, it will be eclipsed.
{Solar ecliptic limit}, the space of 17[deg] from the lunar
node, within which, if a conjunction of the sun and moon
occur, the sun will be eclipsed.
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| Thesaurus Terms |
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| | Related Terms: | | anklet, aphelion, apogee, armlet, astronomical longitude, autumnal equinox, band, belt, bracelet, celestial equator, celestial longitude, celestial meridian, cincture, cingulum, circle, collar, collarband, colures, earring, equator, equinoctial, equinoctial circle, equinoctial colure, equinox, fascia, fillet, finger ring, galactic longitude, geocentric longitude, geodetic longitude, girdle, girt, girth, great circle, heliocentric longitude, hoop, longitude, meridian, neckband, necklace, nose ring, orbit, perigee, perihelion, period, quoit, ring, small circle, solstitial colure, trajectory, vernal equinox, wristband, wristlet, zodiac, zone |
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