(n)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
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
a. [ L. eclipticus belonging to an eclipse, Gr. 'ekleiptiko`s. See Eclipse. ] 1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. écliptique, L. linea ecliptica, Gr. 'ekleiptiko`s, prop. adj., of an eclipse, because in this circle eclipses of the sun and moon take place. See Ecliptic, a. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
[せいかん, seikan](n) (obsc) (See 星宿・せいしゅく・2) constellation (in ancient China; important constellations were then used to divide the ecliptic into 28 "mansions")[Add to Longdo]
[せいしゅく(星宿);ほとおりぼし;ほとほりぼし(星宿), seishuku ( hoshi yado ); hotooriboshi ; hotohoriboshi ( hoshi yado )](n) (1) constellation; (2) (arch) (See 二十八宿) mansion (any of the Chinese constellations used to divide the ecliptic into 28 positions); (3) (See 星・せい) Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)[Add to Longdo]