1. Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends. The planets move in elliptic orbits. (Cheyne)
2. Having a part omitted; as, an elliptical phrase. Elliptic chuck. See Chuck. Elliptic compasses, an instrument arranged for drawing ellipses. Elliptic function.
(Science: mathematics) see integral. Elliptic polarization. See polarization.
Origin: gr., cf. F. Elliptique. See ellipsis.