Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characterized by extreme economy of expression or omission of superfluous elements: Describes language, speech, or writing that is concise to the point where non-essential words are omitted, potentially creating a somewhat cryptic or suggestive style.
   • Rounded like an egg; oval: Describes a shape that is elongated and rounded, similar to an ellipse or an egg.
   • (Botany, of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipse: Specifically describes a leaf that is oval in shape with the widest part at the middle and tapering equally at both ends.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Concise Language):
  • The poet's style is famously elliptic, forcing readers to read between the lines.
  • His elliptic answers to the questions made the interview frustrating.
• Adjective (Shape):
  • The garden featured a beautiful elliptic pond.
  • The artist sketched an elliptic form on the canvas.
• Adjective (Botany):
  • The plant is easily identified by its simple, elliptic leaves.

Advanced Usage

• Elliptical Construction/Grammar: In linguistics, an elliptical construction is one where a word or phrase is omitted because it is understood from the context.
  • In the sentence "She can play the piano, and he can too," the verb phrase "play the piano" after "he can" is an elliptical construction.
• Elliptical Orbit: In astronomy, this describes the oval-shaped path of a celestial object around another.
  • The comet follows a highly elliptical orbit around the sun.

Variants and Related Words

• Ellipse (n): A regular oval shape, traced by a point moving in a plane so that the sum of its distances from two other points (the foci) is constant.
  • The students learned to calculate the area of an ellipse.
• Elliptical (adj): This is a more common variant, often used interchangeably with "elliptic," especially regarding language and shape. It can also specifically describe exercise machines (elliptical trainers).
  • Her elliptical writing style is challenging but rewarding.
  • He works out on the elliptical for 30 minutes daily.

Synonyms

• For Language: Concise, terse, laconic, cryptic, abbreviated.
• For Shape: Oval, ovoid, egg-shaped, oblong.

Antonyms

• For Language: Verbose, prolix, wordy, expansive, explicit.
• For Shape: Circular, angular, rectangular.

Adjective

1. 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
2. rounded like an egg
3. (of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipse