Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-CLIPSE', n. [eclips'; L. eclipsis; Gr. εκλειψις, defect, from εκλειπω, to fail, εξ and λειπω, to leave.]

1. Literally, a defect or failure; hence in astronomy, an interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon or other luminous body. An eclipse of the sun is caused by the intervention of the moon, which totally or partially hides the sun's disk; an eclipse of the moon is occasioned by the shadow of the earth, which falls on it and obscures it in whole or in part, but does not entirely conceal it.
2. Darkness; obscuration. We say, his glory has suffered an eclipse. All the posterity of our first parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life. Ralegh.