elliptic
/ɪˈlɪp.tɪk/ adjective, noun
Forms elliptics
- adjective (geometry) Of or pertaining to an ellipse.
- adjective (mathematics) Of or pertaining to a broad field of mathematics that originates from the problem of calculating arc lengths of an ellipse. “elliptic integral”
- adjective (mathematics, in combination, of certain functions, equations and operators) That has coefficients satisfying a condition analogous to the condition for the general equation for a conic section to be of an ellipse. “elliptic partial differential equation”
- adjective (botany, of leaves) Oval, with a short or no point.
- adjective (linguistics) Of, or showing ellipsis; having a word or words omitted; elliptical.
- noun An elliptical function, equation, path, etc.
Synonyms
elliptical egg-shaped oval oval-shaped ovate oviform ovoid prolate
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἐλλειπτικός (elleiptikós), from ἐλλείπω (elleípō, “I leave out, omit”). By surface analysis, ellipse + -tic.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends.
- adjective Having a part omitted; as, an elliptical phrase. Elliptic chuck.
Etymology [Gr. elliptique. See Ellipsis.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “elliptic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details