ellipse

  1. Noun.  (geometry) A closed curve, the locus of a point such that the sum of the distances from that point to two other fixed points (called the foci of the ellipse) is constant; equivalently, the conic section that is the intersection of a cone with a plane that does not intersect the base of the cone.
  2. Verb.  (context, grammar) To remove from a phrase a word which is grammatically needed, but which is clearly understood without having to be stated.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.