Dictionary
elliptical
adjective el·lip·ti·cal \i-ˈlip-ti-kəl, e-\
: shaped like a flattened circle
: using few words and therefore hard to understand
Full Definition of ELLIPTICAL
1
: of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse
2
a : of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis b (1) : of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing (2) : of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)
— el·lip·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See elliptical defined for English-language learners
Variants of ELLIPTICAL
el·lip·ti·cal or el·lip·tic \-tik\
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Origin of ELLIPTICAL
Greek elleiptikos defective, marked by ellipsis, from elleipein
First Known Use: 1656
Related to ELLIPTICAL
- Synonyms
- ambiguous, arcane, cryptic, dark, deep, Delphic, double-edged, obscure (or elliptic), enigmatic (also enigmatical), equivocal, fuliginous, inscrutable, murky, mysterious, mystic, nebulous, occult, opaque
- Antonyms
- accessible, clear, nonambiguous, obvious, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
ELLIPTICAL Defined for Kids
elliptical
adjective el·lip·ti·cal \i-ˈlip-ti-kəl\
Definition of ELLIPTICAL for Kids
: having the shape of an ellipse <an elliptical orbit>
Variants of ELLIPTICAL
el·lip·ti·cal or el·lip·tic \-tik\
Learn More About ELLIPTICAL
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