Eclipse
/ɪˈklɪps/
Definitions
2 meaningsA celestial event where one object blocks the light of another, or a situation where something is obscured or overshadowed.
/ɪˈklɪps/
The obscuring of light from one celestial body by the passage of another.
The city experienced a total solar eclipse.
💡 Simply: Imagine the sun is your favorite toy, and the moon comes along and blocks all the light so you can't see it. That's an eclipse!
👶 For kids: When something blocks the sun or moon, so you can't see all of its light.
More Examples
The artist's early work was overshadowed by his later, more famous paintings, in an eclipse of his previous success.
How It's Used
"During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and the Earth."
"His fame was eclipsed by the rise of new talent."
To make something or someone less important by being more successful or important, or to block the light of a celestial body.
/ɪˈklɪps/
To obscure or overshadow someone or something.
Her talent quickly eclipsed that of her rivals.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and someone else gets a better score, making your score seem less important. That's like being eclipsed!
👶 For kids: To cover up or block something so you can't see it.
More Examples
Clouds eclipsed the sun, plunging the valley into momentary darkness.
How It's Used
"His achievements eclipsed all previous records."
"The moon will eclipse the sun at noon."
Idioms & expressions
eclipse someone's reputation
To make someone's reputation seem less important by being more successful.
"The young singer's success quickly eclipsed the veteran artist's reputation."
From Old French *escliper* (to fail, disappear), from Latin *ēclīpsis*, from Greek *ékleipsis* (a forsaking, abandonment, eclipse), from *ekleípein* (to fail, be wanting, cease to be visible), from *ek-* (out) + *leípein* (to leave, be lacking).
The word 'eclipse' has been used in English since the 14th century, initially referring to the celestial event and later extending to a broader sense of overshadowing.
Memory tip
Think of the moon blocking the sun's light.