LingvoCore.com

lunar eclipse

Medium
UK/ˌluː.nər ɪˈklɪps/US/ˌluː.nɚ ɪˈklɪps/

Scientific/Academic, General, Figurative

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The celestial event when Earth's shadow obscures the Moon.

A period of significant overshadowing or decline; a metaphorical loss of prominence or clarity.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The term refers specifically to the Moon being obscured. Not to be confused with 'solar eclipse' (Sun obscured by Moon).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Terminology and concept are identical. Minor spelling conventions apply in related vocabulary (e.g., centre of shadow vs. center of shadow).

Connotations

Identical scientific and general connotations.

Frequency

Equal frequency in comparable contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
total lunar eclipsepartial lunar eclipsepenumbral lunar eclipseobserve a lunar eclipseduring the lunar eclipse
medium
spectacular lunar eclipseblood moon lunar eclipselunar eclipse occursphase of the lunar eclipseviewing a lunar eclipse
weak
rare lunar eclipsebeautiful lunar eclipseancient lunar eclipseupcoming lunar eclipselunar eclipse tonight

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[subject] + observe/see + lunar eclipseA lunar eclipse + takes place/occurs/happens + [time clause]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

eclipse of the moon

Weak

shadowing of the moonmoon's obscuration

Vocabulary

Antonyms

full moonlunar illumination

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “an eclipse of the mind”
  • “to be in the shadow of (metaphorical usage)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used metaphorically: 'The company's profits entered a lunar eclipse phase this quarter.'

Academic

Used in astronomy, physics, and history: 'The ancient records of a lunar eclipse helped date the battle.'

Everyday

Used to discuss a visible natural phenomenon: 'We stayed up late to watch the lunar eclipse.'

Technical

Used with precise terminology: 'The penumbral magnitude of the lunar eclipse was 0.897.'

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The moon was eclipsed for nearly two hours.

American English

  • The moon will be eclipsed early tomorrow morning.

adjective

British English

  • We planned a special lunar-eclipse viewing party.

American English

  • The lunar eclipse event was broadcast live.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • Look! The moon is dark. It is a lunar eclipse.
B1
  • Last night, we saw a lunar eclipse. The moon turned red.
B2
  • A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon.
C1
  • Historians have used ancient accounts of lunar eclipses to corroborate the timelines of significant events.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

LUNAr eclipse = the Moon (Luna) is ECLIPSED (hidden) by Earth's shadow.

Conceptual Metaphor

OBSCURATION IS AN ECLIPSE (e.g., 'His talent was eclipsed by controversy.')

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid direct calque 'лунное затемнение' as a primary translation; the standard term is 'лунное затмение'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'lunar eclipse' (Earth's shadow on Moon) with 'solar eclipse' (Moon's shadow on Earth).
  • Using 'lunar eclipse' as a verb (e.g., 'The moon will lunar eclipse').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
During a , the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow.
Multiple Choice

What causes the Moon to appear reddish during some lunar eclipses?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

On average, there are two to four lunar eclipses each year.

Yes, unlike a solar eclipse, it is completely safe to view a lunar eclipse with the naked eye.

It's a colloquial term for a total lunar eclipse where the Moon takes on a reddish hue due to Rayleigh scattering of sunlight in Earth's atmosphere.

In a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. In a solar eclipse, the Moon's shadow falls on Earth.

lunar eclipse - meaning, definition & pronunciation - English Dictionary | Lingvocore