ec|cle|si|as|tic / I kliː ziæ st I k/ (ecclesiastics ) N‑COUNT An ecclesiastic is a priest or clergyman in the Christian Church. [FORMAL ]
ec|cle|si|as|ti|cal / I kliː ziæ st I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ecclesiastical means belonging to or connected with the Christian Church. □ My ambition was to travel upwards in the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
ECG /iː siː dʒiː / (ECGs ) N‑VAR ECG is an abbreviation for electrocardiogram .
eche|lon /e ʃəlɒn/ (echelons ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] An echelon in an organization or society is a level or rank in it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the lower echelons of society.
echo ◆◇◇ /e koʊ/ (echoes , echoing , echoed )
1 N‑COUNT An echo is a sound which is caused by a noise being reflected off a surface such as a wall. □ [+ of ] He listened and heard nothing but the echoes of his own voice in the cave.
2 VERB If a sound echoes , it is reflected off a surface and can be heard again after the original sound has stopped. □ [V ] His feet echoed on the bare board floor. □ [V prep/adv] The bang came suddenly, echoing across the buildings, shattering glass.
3 VERB In a place that echoes , a sound is reflected off a surface, and is repeated after the original sound has stopped. □ [V ] The room echoed. □ [V + with ] The corridor echoed with the barking of a dozen dogs. □ [V -ing] …the bare stone floors and the echoing hall. [Also + in ]
4 VERB If you echo someone's words, you repeat them or express agreement with their attitude or opinion. □ [V n] Many phrases in the last two chapters echo earlier passages. □ [V n] Their views often echo each other. □ [V with quote] 'That was a truly delicious piece of lamb,' he said. 'Yes, wasn't it?' echoed Penelope.
5 N‑COUNT A detail or feature which reminds you of something else can be referred to as an echo . □ [+ of ] The accident has echoes of past disasters.
6 VERB If one thing echoes another, the first is a copy of a particular detail or feature of the other. □ [V n] Pinks and beiges were chosen to echo the colours of the ceiling.
7 VERB If something echoes , it continues to be discussed and remains important or influential in a particular situation or among a particular group of people. □ [V prep] The old fable continues to echo down the centuries.
echo|lo|ca|tion /e koʊloʊke I ʃ ə n/ also echo-location N‑UNCOUNT Echolocation is a system used by some animals to determine the position of an object by measuring how long it takes for an echo to return from the object. [TECHNICAL ] □ Most bats navigate by echolocation.
e -cigarette (e-cigarettes ) N‑COUNT An e-cigarette is a device shaped like a cigarette, containing a nicotine liquid which is breathed in as steam rather than smoke. E-cigarette is an abbreviation for 'electronic cigarette'.
éclair / I kleə r , [AM ] e I k-/ (éclairs ) also eclair N‑COUNT An éclair is a long thin cake made of very light pastry, which is filled with cream and usually has chocolate on top.
ec|lec|tic / I kle kt I k/ ADJ An eclectic collection of objects, ideas, or beliefs is wide-ranging and comes from many different sources. [FORMAL ] □ …an eclectic collection of paintings, drawings, and prints.
ec|lec|ti|cism / I kle kt I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Eclecticism is the principle or practice of choosing or involving objects, ideas, and beliefs from many different sources. [FORMAL ] □ …her cultural eclecticism.
eclipse / I kl I ps/ (eclipses , eclipsing , eclipsed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] An eclipse of the sun is an occasion when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so that for a short time you cannot see part or all of the sun. An eclipse of the moon is an occasion when the Earth is between the sun and the moon, so that for a short time you cannot see part or all of the moon. □ [+ of ] …an eclipse of the sun. □ …the total lunar eclipse on 10 December.
2 VERB If one thing is eclipsed by a second thing that is bigger, newer, or more important than it, the first thing is no longer noticed because the second thing gets all the attention. □ [be V -ed + by ] The gramophone had been eclipsed by new technology such as the compact disc.
PREFIX eco-
forms nouns and adjectives that refer to something related to the environment. For example, eco-friendly products do not harm the environment.
e co-frie ndly ADJ Eco-friendly products or services are less harmful to the environment than other similar products or services. □ …eco-friendly washing powder.
eco|logi|cal /iː kəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Ecological means involved with or concerning ecology. □ Large dams have harmed Siberia's delicate ecological balance. ● eco|logi|cal|ly /iː kəlɒ dʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ It is economical to run and ecologically sound.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Ecological groups, movements, and people are concerned with preserving the environment and natural resources, so that they can be used in a sensible way, rather than being wasted. □ Ecological groups say that nothing is being done to tackle the problem.
ecolo|gist / I kɒ lədʒ I st/ (ecologists )
1 N‑COUNT An ecologist is a person who studies ecology. □ Ecologists argue that the benefits of treating sewage with disinfectants are doubtful.
2 N‑COUNT An ecologist is a person who believes that the environment and natural resources should be preserved and used in a sensible way, rather than being wasted. □ In the opinion polls the ecologists reached 20 per cent.