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Glite Dictionary
ellipticity

ellipticity

9.0
How flattened a round object like a planet or galaxy is
  • noun
  • /ɪˌlɪpˈtɪsɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : elipticidad
  • The ellipticity of the satellite's orbit affects how it moves around the Earth.

Examples

  • Some computer models suggest that ellipticity and bipolarity are telltale signs of a stellar companion that gummed up the works.

    Academic text (1996)

  • A prism-like optical element called a "circularizer" is then used to reduce the ellipticity and astigmatism of the laser beam.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The design of the optical components to compensate for this ellipticity and astigmatism is discussed below.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Revolution, again, the total path length (overlooking ellipticity) is 2πr, but the r now is the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

    Blog text (26)

  • The uther twitched its oval ears sitting behind its large eyes, changing their ellipticity—it was listening for something.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The ellipticity of the basketball ensures that it bounces high, making it suitable for playing sports.

  • Scientists measure the ellipticity of planets to understand their formation and shape.

Synonyms

oblateness
vsellipticity
  • Specialized
9.9

A shape that is slightly flat at the poles and wider across the middle, like a planet

is the measure of how much a sphere is flattened at its poles
ovality
vsellipticity
7.7

How much a round shape is longer in one direction than the other

is specific to flattening at poles of a sphere rather than general roundness deviation

How Flattened

oblateness
  • Specialized
9.9
ellipticity
  • Specialized
9.0
roundness
4 2.6

Surface Forms

ellipticity singular
ellipticities plural

Morphology

ellipticity = elliptic (transparent) = ellipse + ic + ity

The noun is a regular nominalization of the adjective 'elliptic' with '-ity', and 'elliptic' is clearly derived from 'ellipse', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Ellipticity comes from ellipse, a word for an 'oval' or flattened circle, and the ending -ity gives the meaning 'quality' or 'state'. So ellipticity is the amount or measure of how much something, like a planet or galaxy, is flattened and looks more oval than round.