elliptical

/i-ˈlip-ti-kəl/

Greek elleiptikos defective, marked by ellipsis, from elleipein

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse

  2. of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis

  3. of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing

noun

  1. elliptical galaxy

  2. elliptical trainer

In Hubble's scheme, galaxies are divided into ellipticals and spirals.

noun

  1. a galaxy that has a generally elliptical shape and that has no apparent internal structure or spiral arms —called also elliptical