eclīpsis
masculine
The English phrase eclipse is translated into Latin as eclīpsis. Wiktionary also lists dēliquium.
Meaning: passage of a planetary object between others (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| eclīpsis | masculine |
| dēliquium |
In a technical or astronomical sense, the term refers to the passage of a planetary object between others. It can also be used more generally to mean an obscuration or darkening.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean eclipse, eclīpsis is a loanword from Greek. In contrast, dēliquium is a native Latin term. Furthermore, dēliquium carries a broader nuance and can also mean a 'fainting spell' or a 'failure/lapse'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form eclīpsis is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- In ancient Roman divination, an eclīpsis was often interpreted as a 'prodigium', or an omen of impending disaster for the state or the ruling emperor.
- An English speaker might be surprised to find that in Latin, an eclipse could be described as a 'dēliquium luminis', or a 'fainting of the light'.
- The word dēliquium shares a root with the Latin verb delīquere, which means 'to fail' or 'to be lacking'. This connects a celestial event to a moral or personal shortcoming.
Examples in context
- Eclīpsis solis mox eveniet.The solar eclipse will happen soon.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are looking at the sky.
- JuliaMarce, vide eclīpsim!Marcus, look at the eclipse!
- MarcusUbi est eclīpsis?Where is the eclipse?
- JuliaIn caelo est.It is in the sky.
- MarcusVere mīrābilis est.It is truly wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eclipse” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
