elliptical

1 of 2

adjective

el·​lip·​ti·​cal i-ˈlip-ti-kəl 

e-

variants or elliptic

i-ˈlip-tik 

e-

1

: of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse

2

a

: of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis

b(1)

: of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing

(2)

: of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)

elliptically

i-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē 

e-

adverb

elliptical

2 of 2

noun

plural ellipticals

1

: elliptical galaxy

In Hubble's scheme, galaxies are divided into ellipticals and spirals.

—Roberto G. Abraham et al.

2

: elliptical trainer

Ellipticals move in a smooth, oval motion, like riding a bike standing up, and offer great features like your beloved treadmill.

—Monique Savin

Synonyms

Adjective

• ambiguous
• arcane
• cryptic
• dark
• deep
• Delphic
• double-edged
• enigmatic
• enigmatical
• equivocal
• fuliginous
• inscrutable
• murky
• mysterious
• mystic
• nebulous
• obscure
• occult
• opaque

Examples of elliptical in a Sentence

Adjective

The moon follows an elliptical path around the Earth.

a writer with an elliptical style

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And McPherson’s approach is curiously oblique and elliptical. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024

Along with the tombs, the archaeologists uncovered burn or ash pits that had a circular or elliptical shape and were made from gray and black soil. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek elleiptikos defective, marked by ellipsis, from elleipein

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elliptical

• elliptical galaxy
• elliptical trainer