elliptic
 (a.)橢圓形的


 El·lip·tic El·lip·tic·al a.
 1. Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends.
    The planets move in elliptic orbits.   --Cheyne.
 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.
 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.

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 elliptic
      adj 1: containing or characterized by ellipsis; "the clause of
             comparison is often elliptical"- G.O.Curme [syn: elliptical]
      2: of a leaf shape; in the form of an ellipse
      3: rounded like an egg [syn: egg-shaped, elliptical, oval,
          ovate, oviform, ovoid, prolate]
      4: 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: elliptical]