Ellipse

Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɪps/

Definitions of ellipse

noun a regular oval shape, traced by a point moving in a plane so that the sum of its distances from two other points (the foci) is constant, or resulting when a cone is cut by an oblique plane that does not intersect the base

Example Sentences

A1 An ellipse is a shape that looks like a stretched circle.

A2 The artist drew an ellipse to represent the sun in the painting.

B1 The satellite orbits Earth in an elliptical path, forming an ellipse.

B2 The mathematician explained the properties of an ellipse in great detail.

C1 The architect used ellipses in the design of the building to create a sense of movement.

C2 The scientist studied the trajectory of the comet using the equations of an ellipse.

Examples of ellipse in a Sentence

formal The shape of the orbit of a planet around the sun is an ellipse.

informal I drew an ellipse for the base of the vase I'm designing.

slang That oval-shaped pool is actually an ellipse.

figurative Her path to success was not a straight line but more of an ellipse, with ups and downs along the way.

Grammatical Forms of ellipse

• plural: ellipses
• comparative: more elliptical
• superlative: most elliptical
• present tense: ellipses
• future tense: will ellipse
• perfect tense: has ellipsed
• continuous tense: is ellipsing
• singular: ellipse
• positive degree: elliptical
• infinitive: to ellipse
• gerund: ellipsing
• participle: ellipsed

Origin and Evolution of ellipse

First Known Use: 1704 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'ellipse' comes from the Latin word 'ellipsis', which means 'a falling short' or 'omission'. It was first used in the context of geometry to describe a specific type of curve.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in mathematics to describe a specific geometric shape, the word 'ellipse' has since expanded to be used in various fields such as astronomy, physics, and design to describe similar curved shapes or paths.