partial eclipse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1scientific, formal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “partial eclipse” mean?
An astronomical event where only part of the Sun or Moon is obscured by the shadow of another celestial body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An astronomical event where only part of the Sun or Moon is obscured by the shadow of another celestial body.
A situation where something is partly obscured, diminished, or incomplete; metaphorically used for any partial blocking, overshadowing, or reduction in prominence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage patterns identical.
Connotations
Identical technical meaning; metaphorical use slightly more common in British literary/journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties when discussing astronomy; metaphorical use appears marginally more in UK broadsheet newspapers.
Grammar
How to Use “partial eclipse” in a Sentence
[The moon] undergoes a partial eclipse.[The sun] will experience a partial eclipse.[The event] was a partial eclipse of [something].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “partial eclipse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The moon will partially eclipse the sun at 3 PM.
American English
- The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon for about an hour.
adjective
British English
- We only had a partial-eclipse view from London.
American English
- The partial-eclipse phase lasted twenty minutes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially metaphorical: 'The new product launch suffered a partial eclipse due to the competitor's announcement.'
Academic
Common in astronomy, geology (for historical eclipses), and literary studies (metaphorical analysis).
Everyday
Used when discussing visible astronomical events; metaphorical use understood but less common.
Technical
Precise astronomical term describing specific celestial alignment and magnitude of obscuration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “partial eclipse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “partial eclipse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “partial eclipse”
- Using 'partial eclipse' to mean 'almost total eclipse' (it specifies incompleteness, not degree).
- Confusing with 'penumbral eclipse' (a specific technical type).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is never safe to look directly at the sun during any partial eclipse phase without proper solar filters.
A partial eclipse involves part of the sun/moon being covered. An annular eclipse is a type of total eclipse where the moon is too far away to completely cover the sun, leaving a 'ring of fire' visible.
Partial lunar eclipses are relatively common; on average, there are about two lunar eclipses (of all types) per year, and a significant portion of these are partial.
Yes, it's used metaphorically in literature, journalism, and politics to describe something being partly overshadowed or diminished in importance by something else.
An astronomical event where only part of the Sun or Moon is obscured by the shadow of another celestial body.
Partial eclipse is usually scientific, formal, journalistic in register.
Partial eclipse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.ʃəl ɪˈklɪps/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːr.ʃəl əˈklɪps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a partial eclipse of one's fame”
- “living in a partial eclipse (metaphorical for diminished status)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PARTIAL = PART + IAL (like 'special') → only a PART is special/visible during a PARTIAL eclipse.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ATTENTION IS LIGHT; IGNORANCE/OBSCURITY IS DARKNESS (e.g., 'His contributions have been in partial eclipse since the scandal.')
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'a partial eclipse of one's reputation' most likely means: