elliptic
/i'liptik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- 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
- rounded like an egg
- (of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipse