ecliptic

n.	1.	(Astron.) A great circle of the celestial sphere, making an angle with the equinoctial of about 23° 28´. It is the apparent path of the sun, or the real path of the earth as seen from the sun.
	2.	(Geog.) A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23° 28´ with the equator; - used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
a.	1.	Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way.
	2.	Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. Lunar ecliptic limit (Astron.) the space of 12° on the moon's orbit from the node, within which, if the moon happens to be at full, it will be eclipsed. Solar ecliptic limit the space of 17° from the lunar node, within which, if a conjunction of the sun and moon occur, the sun will be eclipsed.

Noun

1.

ecliptic - the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator; "all of the planets rotate the sun in approximately the same ecliptic"

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