eclipticaladj.
/ɪˈklɪptɪkəl/ 1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; situated on the ecliptic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [adjective] > ecliptic
ecliptical1556
ecliptic1609
eclipsed1659
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 281 The Eclipticall pointes, whiche be commonly called the Headde and the Tayle of the Dragon.
1885 A. M. Clerke Pop. Hist. Astron. 429 In carrying out the work of ecliptical charting..M. M. Henry..resolved..to have recourse to the Camera.
2. Used in error for elliptical adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adjective] > elliptical
ecliptical1583
ellipsed1607
elliptical1778
telegraphic1848
telegrammic1858
telegraphese1927
1583 W. Fulke Def. Transl. Script. (1843) 402 When the sentence is ecliptical or defective.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State 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.
Derivatives
eˈcliptically adv. in the direction of the sun's (apparent) annual motion in the ecliptic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [adverb] > ecliptic
ecliptically1658
1658 Sir T. Browne Garden of Cyrus iv, in Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall 166 The flower twists Æquinoctionally from the left hand to the right..; The stalk twineth ecliptically from the right to the left.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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adj.1556