# eclipse

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪˈklɪps/ · frequency rank #9,462

## Definitions
1. An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.
2. Especially, an alignment whereby a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object.
3. A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.
4. Obscurity, decline, downfall.

## Etymology
From Old French eclipse, from Latin eclīpsis, from Ancient Greek ἔκλειψις (ékleipsis, “eclipse”), from ἐκλείπω (ekleípō, “I abandon, go missing, vanish”), from ἐκ (ek, “out”) and λείπω (leípō, “I leave behind”). Doublet of eclipsis.

## Easily confused with
- **Elise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eclipse-vs-elise)
- **ellipse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eclipse-vs-ellipse)
- **eclipsed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eclipse-vs-eclipsed)

## Common misspellings (10)
`celipse`, `ecclipse`, `ecilpse`, `eclipes`, `eclippse`, `eclipsse`, `eclispe`, `ecllipse`, `eclpise`, `elcipse`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/eclipse