[syn: elliptic, elliptical]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Elliptic \El*lip"tic\, Elliptical \El*lip"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?:
cf. F. elliptique. See Ellipsis.]
1. Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an
ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends.
[1913 Webster]
The planets move in elliptic orbits. --Cheyne.
[1913 Webster]
The billiard sharp who any one catches,
His doom's extremely hard
He's made to dwell
In a dungeon cell
On a spot that's always barred.
And there he plays extravagant matches
In fitless finger-stalls
On a cloth untrue
With a twisted cue
And elliptical billiard balls!
--Gilbert and
Sullivan (The
Mikado: The
More Humane
Mikado Song)
2. Having a part omitted; as, an elliptical phrase.
[1913 Webster]
3. leaving out information essential to comprehension; so
concise as to be difficult to understand; obscure or
ambiguous; -- of speech or writing; as, an elliptical
comment.
[PJC]
Elliptic chuck. See under Chuck.
Elliptic compasses, an instrument arranged for drawing
ellipses.
Elliptic function. (Math.) See Function.
Elliptic integral. (Math.) See Integral.
Elliptic polarization. See under Polarization.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
elliptic
adj 1: (of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipse
2: rounded like an egg [syn: egg-shaped, elliptic,
elliptical, oval, oval-shaped, ovate, oviform,
ovoid, prolate]
3: characterized by extreme economy of expression or omission of
superfluous elements; "the dialogue is elliptic and full of
dark hints"; "the explanation was concise, even elliptical to
the verge of obscurity"- H.O.Taylor [syn: elliptic,
elliptical]