eclipse Definition

eclipse
noun

1. The total or partial obscuring of one planet or heavenly body by another, eg of the Sun when the Moon comes between it and the Earth (called a solar eclipse) or of the Moon when the Earth's shadow falls across it (called a lunar eclipse).

Thesaurus: overshadowing, darkening, shading, obscuration, adumbration.
2. A loss of fame or importance.

verb eclipsed, eclipsing

1. To cause an eclipse of (a heavenly body).

Thesaurus: obscure, shroud, veil, cloud, dim, darken, adumbrate, overshadow.
2. To surpass or outshine.

Thesaurus: surpass, transcend, exceed, outdo.
3. To obscure.

Etymology: 14c: French, from Greek ekleipsis failure to appear.