ellipse

[ ih-lips ]

noun

, Geometry.

1. a plane curve such that the sums of the distances of each point in its periphery from two fixed points, the foci, are equal. It is a conic section formed by the intersection of a right circular cone by a plane that cuts the axis and the surface of the cone. Typical equation: ( x 2 / a 2 ) + ( y 2 / b 2 ) = 1. If a = b the ellipse is a circle.

ellipse

/ ɪˈlɪps /

noun

1. a closed conic section shaped like a flattened circle and formed by an inclined plane that does not cut the base of the cone. Standard equation x ²/ a ² + y ²/ b ² = 1, where 2 a and 2 b are the lengths of the major and minor axes. Area: π ab

ellipse

/ ĭ-lĭps′ /

1. A closed, symmetric curve shaped like an oval, which can be formed by intersecting a cone with a plane that is not parallel or perpendicular to the cone's base. The sum of the distances of any point on an ellipse from two fixed points (called the foci) remains constant no matter where the point is on the curve.

ellipse

1. In geometry , a curve traced out by a point that is required to move so that the sum of its distances from two fixed points (called foci) remains constant. If the foci are identical with each other, the ellipse is a circle; if the two foci are distinct from each other, the ellipse looks like a squashed or elongated circle.

Notes

The orbits of the planets and of many comets are ellipses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ellipse¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from French, from Latin ellīpsis ellipsis; or by back formation from the plural ellipses

Word History and Origins

Origin of ellipse¹

C18: back formation from ellipsis

Example Sentences

In his Jan. 6 remarks on the Ellipse, Trump had encouraged thousands of his followers to “show strength” and demand that Congress deny his opponent’s resounding victory and instead hand power to the loser of the 2020 election: him.

From Salon

Just last week the Harris campaign said the crowd of 75,000 who attended her speech at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, crushed the size of Trump’s Jan. 6 rally in the same spot nearly four years ago.

From Salon

“My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different,” she said in her speech on the Ellipse in Washington.

From Los Angeles Times

Her speech on the Ellipse reflects a strategic shift in the last weeks before Election Day.

From Salon

You could fill Madison Square Garden and the Ellipse with the number of stories focused on where male energy is amassing in this election.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arc
• arch
• contour
• loop
• trajectory