a. [f. ECLIPTIC + -AL.] Pertaining to the ecliptic; situated on the ecliptic.
1556. Recorde, Cast. Knowl. (1556), 281. The Eclipticall pointes, whiche be commonly called the Headde and the Tayle of the Dragon.
1885. Clerke, Pop. Hist. Astron., 429. In carrying out the work of ecliptical charting … M. M. Henry … resolved … to have recourse to the Camera.
¶ Used in error for ELLIPTICAL.
1583. Fulke, Defence (1843), 402. When the sentence is ecliptical or defective.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., IV. xii. 299. He conceives this word, On mine Honour, wraps up a great deal in it;… and no lesse then an eclipticall oath, calling God to witnesse, who hath bestowed that Honour upon him.
Hence Ecliptically adv., in the direction of the sun’s (apparent) annual motion in the ecliptic.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iv. 61. The floure twists Æcquinoctionally from the left hand to the right…; The stalk twineth ecliptically from the right to the left.
