A Topical Dictionary: Search for elliptical

Dictionary Results For "elliptical" [?]/[OPML]

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English

Adjective

In a shape reminding of an ellipse; oval.
Of, or showing ellipsis; having a word or words omitted.
:If he is sometimes elliptical and obscure, it is because he has so much to tell us. -- w:Edmund Wilson|Edmund Wilson

Alternative spellings

elliptic

Usage notes

In botanical usage, elliptic(al) refers only to the general shape of the leaf, independently of its apex or margin (and sometimes the base), so that an "elliptic leaf"may very well be pointed at both ends.

Translations

shape

Dutch: elliptisch
French: elliptique
Russian: {{t|ru|эллиптический|tr=elliptíčeskij|sc=Cyrl}}
Swedish: elliptisk

showing ellipsis

Dutch: elliptisch
French: elliptique
Russian: {{t|ru|эллиптический|tr=elliptíčeskij|sc=Cyrl}}

ar:elliptical fa:elliptical fr:elliptical io:elliptical ta:elliptical te:elliptical vi:elliptical tr:elliptical zh:elliptical

GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English 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 elliptical
adj 1: containing or characterized by ellipsis; "the clause of
comparison is often elliptical"- G.O.Curme [syn: elliptic]
2: rounded like an egg [syn: egg-shaped, elliptic, oval,
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]

Moby Dictionary
Spartan , abbreviated , abridged , abstracted , aposiopestic ,
bell-like , bell-shaped , bobbed , brief , brusque , campaniform ,
campanular , campanulate , capsule , capsulized , clipped , close ,
compact , compendious , compressed , concise , condensed , contracted ,
crisp , cropped , curt , curtailed , cut , cut short , digested , docked ,
elided , ellipsoid , elliptic , elongated , epigrammatic , gnomic ,
laconic , mowed , mown , nipped , oblong , oblongated , oblongitudinal ,
parabolic , pithy , pointed , pollard , polled , pruned , reaped ,
rectangular , reserved , saucer-shaped , sententious , shaved , sheared ,
short , short and sweet , short-cut , shortened , snub , snubbed ,
succinct , summary , synopsized , taciturn , terse , tight ,
to the point , trimmed , truncated