elliptic compasses

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]