1 [C] an occasion when the moon passes between the earth and the sun so that you cannot see all or part of the sun for a time; an occasion when the earth passes between the moon and the sun so that you cannot see all or part of the moon for a time:
an eclipse of the sun / moon * a total / partial eclipse
2 [sing.,U] (written) a loss of importance, power, etc. especially because sb/sth else has become more important, powerful, etc:
The election result marked the eclipse of the right wing. * Her work was in eclipse for most of the 20th century.
verb [VN]
1 [oftenpassive] (of the moon, the earth, etc.) to cause an eclipse
2 (written) to make sb/sth seem dull or unimportant by comparison
SYNOUTSHINE:
Though a talented player, he was completely eclipsed by his brother.
