eclipse
UK[ɪˈklɪps]US[ɪˈklɪps]
n
an occasion when the sun or the moon seems to disappear, because one of them is passing between the other and the Earth
n
a situation in which someone or something becomes less important or successful than another person or thing
v
to make someone or something seem less successful or important, especially by being better than them
v
to cause an eclipse of the sun or moon
Morpheme Breakdown
ec
lipse
ec
out
lipse
to leave, to fail
Etymology
the word 'eclipse' originates from the greek 'ekleipsis', which literally means 'a failing, forsaking, or abandonment'. this was formed from 'ek' (out) and 'leipein' (to leave). the term was adopted into latin as 'eclipsis' and entered middle english via old french and latin. the astronomical sense developed from the ancient observation of the sun or moon 'leaving' or 'failing' in the sky, being obscured. the figurative meanings of obscuring or overshadowing something else's importance evolved naturally from this core concept of one celestial body being temporarily blotted out by another.
Analysis
Structure: ec (out) + lipse (to leave, to fail)
'ec' is a prefix from greek 'ek', meaning 'out'. 'lipse' is from greek 'leipsis' (a leaving, failure), from the verb 'leipein' (to leave, to fail).
Examples
a total solar eclipse is a breathtaking astronomical event.
her remarkable talent soon eclipsed that of her older siblings.
the scandal completely eclipsed the news of his professional achievement.