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Elliptical

1. Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends. The planets move in elliptic orbits. (Cheyne)

2. Having a part omitted; as, an elliptical phrase. Elliptic chuck. See Chuck. Elliptic compasses, an instrument arranged for drawing ellipses. Elliptic function.

(Science: mathematics) see integral. Elliptic polarization. See polarization.

Origin: gr., cf. F. Elliptique. See ellipsis.