ə̇ˈliptik, (ˈ)e|l-, ēˈl-, -tēk adjective
or el·lip·ti·cal -tə̇kəl, -tēk-
Etymology: Greek elleiptikos defective, elliptic (grammatical sense), from (assumed) elleiptos (verbal of elleipein to leave out, fall short) + -ikos -ic, -ical — more at ellipsis
1. : of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse
an elliptic mirror
an elliptic orbit
— see leaf illustration
2.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or marked by grammatical ellipsis
the clause of comparison is often elliptical — G.O.Curme
(2) : of or relating to a statement that is grammatically complete but lacks an element needed to assert a definite proposition
“the car moves now” is elliptical for “the car moves now relatively to the earth” — Arthur Pap
(3) : of or relating to a mark showing omission (as of words)
many authors use brief phrases, separated by three elliptical dots — L.E.Bowling
b.
(1) : of, relating to, or marked by a manner of speech or writing characterized by extreme economy of expression or omission of superfluous elements : summary , brief , concise , condensed
the author in her elliptical four-page introduction — B.S.Myers
concise, even elliptical to the verge of obscurity — H.O.Taylor
listened to them talk, in tight, exclusive groups, with their own peculiar, elliptical language — Irwin Shaw
(2) : of, relating to, or marked by a literary style that cultivates a studied obscurity for artistic effect : enigmatic , cryptic , oblique , obscure
the dialogue between them is stately, elliptic , and full of dark hints of the metaphysical — Wolcott Gibbs