Basic Details
Word: Ellipse
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A regular oval shape, traced by a point moving in a plane so that the sum of its distances from two other points (called foci) is constant.
Synonyms: Oval, ovoid, egg shape
Antonyms: Circle, line, square (in terms of geometric contrast)
Idioms and Phrases
- Flatten into an ellipse: Used metaphorically to mean distorted or changed from the original form. Example: "His explanation was so convoluted, the original idea flattened into an ellipse."
- Move in elliptical orbits: Used to describe actions or discussions that don't follow a straight path. Example: "Their conversation moved in elliptical orbits, always circling the main point."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The planets orbit the sun in elliptical paths, not perfect circles.
Example 2: She drew an ellipse on the board to explain the shape of an orbit.
Example 3: The racetrack was designed in the shape of a large ellipse.
Fun Fact
The word "ellipse" comes from the Greek word *elleipsis*, meaning a falling short, referring to the shape's deviation from a perfect circle. Johannes Kepler was the first to describe planetary orbits as ellipses in the 17th century.
Famous Quote
"Nature always follows the path of least resistance - even the planets move in ellipses." Inspired by Kepler's Laws
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "ellipse" mean?
a) A straight line
b) A circular shape
c) An oval shape with two focal points
d) A triangular figure
Answer: c) An oval shape with two focal points
2. Which of these is a synonym of "ellipse"?
a) Square
b) Oval
c) Triangle
d) Sphere
Answer: b) Oval
3. Which is an antonym of "ellipse" (in geometric terms)?
a) Oval
b) Circle
c) Line
d) Rectangle
Answer: c) Line
4. Which sentence uses "ellipse" correctly?
a) He ran in an ellipse around the square block.
b) She measured the ellipse's perimeter with a compass.
c) The ellipse were flying in the sky.
d) They used ellipse to cook dinner.
Answer: b) She measured the ellipse's perimeter with a compass.
5. What does the idiom "move in elliptical orbits" imply?
a) Going in straight lines
b) Traveling in loops without direction
c) Avoiding the main topic or moving in a non-linear path
d) Flying in a spaceship
Answer: c) Avoiding the main topic or moving in a non-linear path
