| Ecliptic 1. (n.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23 28'. It is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun. 2. (n.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23 28' with the equator; -- used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems. 3. (a.) Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way. 4. (a.) Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. Thesaurus Entries 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 |