Elliptic \El*lip"tic\, Elliptical \El*lip"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?:
   cf. F. elliptique. See {Ellipsis}.]
   1. Of or pertaining to an ellipse; having the form of an
      ellipse; oblong, with rounded ends.
      
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            The planets move in elliptic orbits.  --Cheyne.
      
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            The billiard sharp who any one catches,
            His doom's extremely hard 
            He's made to dwell
            In a dungeon cell
            On a spot that's always barred.
            And there he plays extravagant matches
            In fitless finger-stalls
            On a cloth untrue
            With a twisted cue
            And elliptical billiard balls!
                                                  --Gilbert and
                                                  Sullivan (The
                                                  Mikado: The
                                                  More Humane
                                                  Mikado Song)

   2. Having a part omitted; as, an elliptical phrase.
      
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   3. leaving out information essential to comprehension; so
      concise as to be difficult to understand; obscure or
      ambiguous; -- of speech or writing; as, an elliptical
      comment.
      [PJC]

   {Elliptic chuck}. See under {Chuck}.

   {Elliptic compasses}, an instrument arranged for drawing
      ellipses.

   {Elliptic function}. (Math.) See {Function}.

   {Elliptic integral}. (Math.) See {Integral}.

   {Elliptic polarization}. See under {Polarization}.
      
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