Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ecliptic

/ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.45 in modern English

Syllables: eclip-tic
IPA: /ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The great circle on the celestial sphere that is the mean apparent path of the sun as viewed from the earth.

noun

The plane in which this great circle lies.

noun

A great circle drawn on a terrestrial globe, used for illustrating and solving astronomical problems.

adj

Relating to an eclipse or the ecliptic.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin eclīptica. So named because an eclipse can occur only when the Moon lies on this plane.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: eclīptica, ecliptik, eclīpticus, ἐκλειπτικός

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/

Inflected Forms

ecliptics (plural) ecliptick (alternative)

Derived Forms

superecliptic

Phrases

plane of ecliptic ecliptic longitude ecliptic plane

Synonyms

ecliptic plane plane of the ecliptic ecliptical

Rhymes With

apocalyptic cryptic triptych trip tic diptych tryptic styptic glyptic anaglyptic lithotriptic triptyque holocryptic

Questions

How do you pronounce ecliptic?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/.
What does ecliptic mean?: The great circle on the celestial sphere that is the mean apparent path of the sun as viewed from the earth.
Where does ecliptic come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce ecliptic

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ecliptic”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɪˈklɪp.tɪk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ecliptic”.
Repeat and practice — Say “ecliptic” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.