elliptically

[ih-lip-tik-lee]

adverb

1. in the form of an ellipse.

2. in an elliptical manner; by an ellipse.

3. with great economy of words or expression; concisely.

   to speak elliptically.

4. without sufficient transition or a logical connection between thoughts, ideas, or expressions; ambiguously or cryptically.

   to jump elliptically from generalities to specifics.

Word History and Origins

Origin of elliptically¹

First recorded in 1810–20; elliptical + -ly