a. and sb. Forms: 4–8 ecliptick(e, -tik(e, -que, (4, 7 ecc-, eclyptic(k, 7 æcliptique, 8 eccliptic), 7– ecliptic. [ad. (directly or through F. écliptique) L. eclīptic-us, Gr. ἐκλειπτικός in same sense.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to an eclipse. Ecliptic limits: the limits within which an eclipse is possible. Ecliptic conjunction: a conjunction of sun and moon that results in a solar eclipse.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., XX. iii. 145. When [the Sunne] himselfe and the roundle of the Moone … are come to those dimensions which they usually tearme … eclipticke or defective [defectivas] conjunctions ascending and descending.
1755. B. Martin, Mag. Arts & Sci., II. vi. 153. These ecliptic Nights last but a little Time.
1771. Maskelyne, in Phil. Trans., LXI. 544. The time of the ecliptic conjunction may be deduced.
1834. Nat. Philos., III. Astron., 93/2 (Usef. Knowl. Ser.). The solar ecliptic limits exceed the lunar.
fig. 1678. Sir T. Herbert, Mem. Chas. I. (1702), 88 (T.). In this ecliptic Condition was the King … sequestered in a manner from the Comfort Earth and Air affords.
† b. Ecliptic circle, line, way = ECLIPTIC sb.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., Prol. 3. To knowe in owre orizonte … the arising of any planete aftur his latitude fro the Ecliptik lyne.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., III. I. xiv. (ed. 7), 305. You must have respect only to the Ecliptique line.
1662. Hobbes, Seven Prob., Wks. 1845, VII. 10. Does not the earth move … in the ecliptic circle once a year?
1712. Blackmore, Creation, II. (1736), 52. The sun revolving thro’ th’ ecclyptic way.
fig. 1649. Selden, Laws Eng., II. xxx. (1739), 137. He would therefore have his way like that of the Zodiack, broad enough for Planetary motion of any one that could not contain himself within the Ecliptick Line of the Law.
¶ Used by mistake for ELLIPTIC.
1634–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (1842), 53. The Exercise of Prophesieing, or, in ecliptick expression, the Exercise of the Ministers.
B. sb.
1. The great circle of the celestial sphere which is the apparent orbit of the sun. So called because eclipses can happen only when the moon is on or very near this line. Sometimes put for the plane of the ecliptic.
1635. N. Carpenter, Geog. Del., I. ix. 208. The distance of the Pole circles from the Pole it selfe is iust so much as the declination of the Eclipticke from the Equatour.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. v. 291. If we imagine the Sun to make his course out of the Eclyptick, and upon a line without any obliquity.
1698. Keill, Exam. The. Earth (1734), 225. It [is] … impossible to conceive how a Sphere can be inclin’d to a Plane, passing thro’ its Center as the Ecliptick does thro’ the Center of the Earth.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1862), I. iv. 13/2. Its equator was in the plane of the ecliptic.
1854. Kelly & Tomlinson, trans. Arago’s Astron., 121. The inclination of the orbit of this comet to the ecliptic is 12° 34′.
2. The great circle on the terrestrial sphere which at any given moment lies in the plane of the celestial ecliptic.
1819. Pantologia, Ecliptic, in geography, an imaginary great circle on the terrestrial globe … falling upon the plane of the celestial ecliptic.
