ɪˈlɪps n. a
regular oval, traced by a
point moving in a plane so
that the sum of
its distances
from two other points is
constant, or resulting
when a
cone is
cut by a plane
which does not intersect the base
and makes a smaller
angle with the base
than the
side of the cone makes (cf. HYPERBOLA). [F f. L ellipsus f. Gk elleipsis f. elleipo
come short f. en in + leipo leave]