Ecliptic

Pronunciation: /ɪˈklɪptɪk/

Definitions of ecliptic

noun the apparent path of the sun in the sky, which is actually the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun

Example Sentences

A1 The ecliptic is the apparent path that the sun takes across the sky.

A2 During an eclipse, the moon crosses the ecliptic plane.

B1 Astrologers believe that the positions of the planets along the ecliptic can influence our lives.

B2 The tilt of Earth's axis causes the ecliptic to be at an angle with the celestial equator.

C1 Astronomers use the ecliptic as a reference plane to plot the positions of celestial objects.

C2 The ecliptic is an important concept in celestial mechanics and orbital dynamics.

Examples of ecliptic in a Sentence

formal The ecliptic is the apparent path that the sun follows in the sky throughout the year.

informal The ecliptic is like the sun's road in the sky.

slang The ecliptic is basically the sun's groove in the sky.

figurative The ecliptic can be seen as the sun's dance floor in the celestial sphere.

Grammatical Forms of ecliptic

• past tense: eclipted
• plural: ecliptics
• comparative: more ecliptic
• superlative: most ecliptic
• present tense: eclipts
• future tense: will eclipt
• perfect tense: have eclipted
• continuous tense: is eclipting
• singular: ecliptic
• positive degree: ecliptic
• infinitive: to eclipt
• gerund: eclipting
• participle: eclipted

Origin and Evolution of ecliptic

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'ecliptic' originated from the Greek word 'ekleipsis', meaning 'abandonment' or 'failing'. It was used in reference to the apparent path of the sun in the sky.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'ecliptic' came to specifically refer to the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun, where eclipses occur when the moon intersects this plane. The term is now commonly used in astronomy to describe the path of the sun in the sky as seen from Earth.