Literary notes about Elliptical (AI summary)
The term "elliptical" in literature displays a wide range of uses, often oscillating between concrete physical descriptions and abstract linguistic functions. In botanical and architectural contexts, it frequently denotes a shape that is elongated or oval, as seen in descriptions of leaves, buds, and even medallions ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]–[6], [7], [8], [9]). Conversely, in discussions of language and syntax, "elliptical" refers to constructions where parts of the sentence are omitted yet the meaning remains clear, a concept explored extensively in grammatical texts ([10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]). Additionally, authors have creatively employed the term in metaphorical or playful ways, such as in references to billiard balls or in nuanced expressions within colloquial dialogue ([19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]). This versatility underscores the richness of literary language, where a single word can traverse tangible physical forms and the subtleties of verbal economy.
- Leaves radiating, 5, 6 or more, somewhat elliptical in form, pointed at the apex.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - (6) Leaflet shapes varied from tree to tree being ovate, obovate or elliptical.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - Fruit, an elliptical drupe.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - The medallions are thin plates of brass, of an elliptical form, exactly resembling each other.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - The two general bud shapes were globose-ovate and narrowly elliptical.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - The long attenuated apex on the outer bud scales of the elliptical type of buds is evident in Figs.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - Leaves ternate; leaflets 4–5′ long, half-ovate, obtuse, entire, stiff and downy, the middle one elliptical.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - Type B—An elliptical form, nearly oval in cross section (Fig. 6b).
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - Type C—A smooth oval nut, oval or elliptical in cross section (Fig. 6c).
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - Many constructions, originally elliptical, have become established idioms in which no ellipsis is felt.
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - ↑ 46 Such sentences are elliptical in origin.
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - Hence it is an elliptical expression to say "I am conscious of the feeling."
— from Know the Truth: A Critique on the Hamiltonian Theory of Limitation by Jesse Henry Jones - But , coördinate conjunction, 152 ; subordinate, 153 f.; elliptical constructions, 154 .
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - Elliptical sentences, 224 ff. ’em , 57 .
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - /chapter CHAPTER VIII ELLIPTICAL SENTENCES 527.
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - A clause or sentence that shows ellipsis is said to be elliptical.
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - 2. Supply the word or words omitted in each of the elliptical sentences in § 533 ( p. 226 ).
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - All such expressions are often regarded as elliptical sentences, as if “O for a camera!”
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - And elliptical billiard balls.
— from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - For elliptical use of que cf.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - 75 21 A que : elliptical phrase, derived from expressions like apuesto a que , 'I wager that.'
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - no : elliptical expression very common in colloquial Spanish, 'otherwise,' 'if you don't think so.'
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - —So we must distinguish between elliptical and ellipsoidal.
— from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - elliptical for de manera que , etc., or the like, equivalent to an English participle construction, 'not moving a foot,' etc. 173 27 expectativa :
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós