Defn: A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, making an angle of 23º 28' with the equator; — used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.
ECLIPTIC
E*clip"tic, a. Etym: [L. eclipticus belonging to an eclipse, Gr.
Eclipse.]
1. Pertaining to the ecliptic; as, the ecliptic way.
2. Pertaining to an eclipse or to eclipses. Lunar ecliptic limit (Astron.), the space of 12º 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 17º from the lunar node, within which, if a conjunction of the sun and moon occur, the sun will be eclipsed.
ECLOGITE
Ec"lo*gite, n. Etym: [See Ecloque.] (Min.)
Defn: A rock consisting of granular red garnet, light green smaragdite, and common hornblende; — so called in reference to its beauty.
ECLOGUE
Ec"logue, n. Etym: [L. ecloga, Gr. égloque, écloque. See Ex-, and
Legend.]
Defn: A pastoral poem, in which shepherds are introduced conversing with each other; a bucolic; an idyl; as, the Ecloques of Virgil, from which the modern usage of the word has been established.
ECONOMIC; ECONOMICAL E`co*nom"ic, E`co*nom"ic*al, a. Etym: [F. économique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr. Economy.]
1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. "In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]" Milton.