Elliptical
/ɪˈlɪp.tɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to an ellipse, or indirect and leaving out words.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek *elleipsis*, meaning “a falling short” or “omission,” which is why an “elliptical” remark skips words the way an ellipse skips the perfect circle.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐλλείπειν (elleípein)
“to leave out, fall short, be lacking”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔλλειψις (élleipsis)
“a falling short, omission, defect”
Late Latin
Latin
ellipticus
“relating to an ellipse or omission”
16th Century
English
elliptical
“having the form of an ellipse; marked by omission of words”
Modern English
English
elliptical
“having the shape of an ellipse; indirect or concise in expression”