Celestial Mechanics Terminology

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

• The shape of the orbit of a planet around the sun is an ellipse.
• I drew an ellipse for the base of the vase I'm designing.
• That oval-shaped pool is actually an ellipse.
• Her path to success was not a straight line but more of an ellipse, with ups and downs along the way.

verb To make someone anxious or unsettled

adjective Feeling or showing annoyance or anxiety

• The scientist was perturbed by the unexpected results of the experiment.
• She was really perturbed when she found out she had missed the deadline.
• I was so perturbed when I realized I had left my phone at home.
• The dark clouds looming overhead perturbed her sense of peace.