'Elliptical' definitions:
Definition of 'elliptical'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Rounded like an egg [syn: egg-shaped, elliptic, elliptical, oval, oval-shaped, ovate, oviform, ovoid, prolate]
adjective
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]
Definition of 'Elliptical'
From: 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]
Synonyms of 'elliptical'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- 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,
- Spartan,
- succinct,
- summary,
- synopsized,
- taciturn,
- terse,
- tight,
- to the point,
- trimmed,
- truncated