Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - eclipse

n. & v. --n. 1 the obscuring of the reflected light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the eye or between it and its source of illumination. 2 a deprivation of light or the period of this. 3 a rapid or sudden loss of importance or prominence, esp. in relation to another or a newly-arrived person or thing. --v.tr. 1 (of a celestial body) obscure the light from or to (another). 2 intercept (light, esp. of a lighthouse). 3 deprive of prominence or importance; outshine, surpass. Phrases and idioms in eclipse 1 surpassed; in decline. 2 (of a bird) having lost its courting plumage. Derivatives eclipser n. Etymology: ME f. OF f. L f. Gk ekleipsis f. ekleipo fail to appear, be eclipsed f. leipo leave