Definition

1. Noun:
   • The phase of the moon when it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from earth, or shortly thereafter when it appears as a thin crescent: The "new moon" is the specific point in the lunar cycle when the moon's illuminated side is facing away from Earth. It marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The calendar marks the new moon on the 15th of this month.
  • Many cultures celebrate festivals at the time of the new moon.
  • Astronomers observed the sky to pinpoint the exact moment of the new moon.

Advanced Usage

• "Dark of the moon": A period around the new moon when the moon is not visible.
  • They planned the night operation during the dark of the moon for maximum concealment.

Variants and Related Words

• New-moon (adjective, often hyphenated): Pertaining to or occurring at the new moon.

  • The new-moon night was exceptionally dark.

• Lunation: A complete lunar cycle from one new moon to the next.

• Crescent: The shape of the moon shortly after the new moon phase.

Synonyms

• Dark moon: (Often used interchangeably, though sometimes refers specifically to the period when the moon is completely invisible).
• Lunar conjunction: (The astronomical term for the moment the sun and moon share the same ecliptic longitude).

Related Phrases

• New moon phase: The period of time characterized by the new moon.
  • The project's first stage coincides with the new moon phase.

Idioms and Cultural References

• "Once in a blue moon": An idiom meaning a very rare event. A "blue moon" is traditionally defined as an extra full moon in a season, but its connection to the lunar cycle makes it a related concept.
• "To moon over someone": To pine or long for someone dreamily. While not directly about the lunar phase, it uses the celestial body as a metaphor.

Noun

1. the time at which the Moon appears as a narrow waxing crescent