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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.
  1. 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
  2. (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
  3. Fruit, an elliptical drupe.
    — from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. ↑ 46 Such sentences are elliptical in origin.
    — from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Elliptical sentences, 224 ff. ’em , 57 .
    — from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge
  15. /chapter CHAPTER VIII ELLIPTICAL SENTENCES 527.
    — from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. And elliptical billiard balls.
    — from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
  20. For elliptical use of que cf.
    — from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
  21. 75 21 A que : elliptical phrase, derived from expressions like apuesto a que , 'I wager that.'
    — from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
  22. no : elliptical expression very common in colloquial Spanish, 'otherwise,' 'if you don't think so.'
    — from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
  23. —So we must distinguish between elliptical and ellipsoidal.
    — from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
  24. 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

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