el·lip·tic (?-l?p?t?k) or el·lip·ti·cal (-t?-k?l)adj.1. Of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse.2. Containing or characterized by ellipsis.3. a. Of or relating to extreme economy of oral or written expression.b. Marked by deliberate obscurity of style or expression.[New Latin ell?pticus, from Greek elleiptikos, defective, from elleipsis, a falling short, ellipsis; see ellipsis.]el·lip?ti·cal·ly adv.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.