elliptical Definition
- 1pertaining to or having the form of an ellipse
- 2ambiguous or obscure in expression
- 3using or involving ellipsis, especially so as to be difficult to understand
Using elliptical: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "elliptical" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The planet's orbit is elliptical.
Example
Her elliptical speech left us confused.
Example
The author's writing style is often elliptical and requires careful reading.
elliptical Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with elliptical
a stationary exercise machine used to simulate stair climbing, walking, or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints
Example
She prefers using the elliptical machine at the gym for her cardio workout.
a type of galaxy having an approximately ellipsoidal shape and a smooth, nearly featureless brightness profile
Example
Elliptical galaxies are the most common type of galaxy in the universe.
a type of exercise equipment that combines the motion of a stair stepper with that of an elliptical machine
Example
He bought an elliptical trainer for his home gym to improve his cardiovascular fitness.
Origins of elliptical
from Latin 'ellipticus', from Greek 'elleiptikos', from 'elleipein', meaning 'leave out'
Summary: elliptical in Brief
The term 'elliptical' [ih-lip-ti-kuhl] refers to something that has the form of an ellipse, such as an elliptical orbit. It can also describe language that is ambiguous or obscure in expression, as in 'Her elliptical speech left us confused.' The term can also refer to the use of ellipsis in writing, which can make it difficult to understand.
