ellipse
1 synonym for ellipse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A closed curve shaped like a flattened circle, made up of every point whose distances to two fixed points add up to the same total.
How to use ellipse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the foci of an ellipse
an elongated ellipse
trace an ellipse
draw an ellipse
Ellipse is a technical geometry term rather than everyday vocabulary.
Etymology
The word came into English from French ellipse, which was itself borrowed from Latin ellīpsis, tracing back to Ancient Greek élleipsis.
Full origin of ellipse →Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an ellipse and an oval?
In everyday, non-technical use, oval and ellipse are often treated as the same shape, though ellipse is the precise geometric term.
What is the difference between an ellipse and a circle?
A circle has every point the same distance from a single centre, while an ellipse is defined by two fixed points, called foci, rather than one centre point.
Why are planetary orbits called ellipses?
Because the orbit forms a closed curve where the total distance to two fixed points, its foci, stays constant, which is the defining property of an ellipse.
