the great circle on the celestial sphere representing the apparent annual path of the sun relative to the stars. It is inclined at 23.45° to the celestial equator. The poles of the ecliptic lie on the celestial sphere due north and south of the plane of the ecliptic
b.
(as modifier)
the ecliptic plane
2.
an equivalent great circle, opposite points of which pass through the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, on the terrestrial globe
adjective
3.
of or relating to an eclipse
Derived forms
ecliptically (eˈcliptically)
adverb
ecliptic in American English
(ɪˈklɪptɪk; iˈklɪptɪk)
noun
1.
the great circle on the celestial sphere intersecting the celestial equator at about 231⁄2° and representing the changing position of the sun with respect to the background stars, as seen from the orbiting earth during one year
2.
the plane of the earth's orbit extended infinitely
adjective
3.
of eclipses or the ecliptic
Word origin
ME ecliptik < ML ecliptica < LL (linea) ecliptica < Gr ekleiptikos, of an eclipse
Examples of 'ecliptic' in a sentence
ecliptic
"They were on a ship a long way from Neptune, hanging in space above the ecliptic.
Tony Daniel METAPLANETARY (2001)
All related terms of 'ecliptic'
ecliptic latitude
the angular distance of a celestial body north or south from the ecliptic
ecliptic longitude
the angular distance measured eastwards from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the ecliptic with the great circle passing through a celestial body and the poles of the ecliptic
obliquity of the ecliptic
the state or condition of being oblique
celestial latitude
the angular distance of a celestial body north or south from the ecliptic
celestial longitude
the angular distance measured eastwards from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the ecliptic with the great circle passing through a celestial body and the poles of the ecliptic