elliptic

• Qui a la forme d'une ellipse ou qui s'y rapporte ; également employé au sens figuré pour qualifier un discours ou un écrit volontairement obscur ou ambigu.

Relating to or having the shape of an ellipse; also used figuratively to describe speech or writing that is deliberately obscure or ambiguous.

1. Geometric shapeB2formal

   Relating to or having the shape of an ellipse; oval.

   elliptique (forme géométrique)

   • The planet follows an elliptic orbit around the sun.
   • The mirror has an elliptic surface.
   • The architect designed an elliptic dome for the building.

   Synonymesegg-shapedellipsoidalovalovateoviformovoid

2. Language or speechC1formal

   Deliberately obscure or ambiguous; using ellipsis or omission of words.

   elliptique (sens linguistique)

   • His elliptic remarks left the audience confused.
   • The poet's style is often elliptic and hard to follow.
   • She gave an elliptic answer that avoided the real question.

   Synonymesambiguousconcisecrypticellipticalenigmaticfragmentaryincompletelaconicobscureterse

   Antonymescleardirectexplicitunambiguous