ellipsoid

[ ih-lip-soid ]
/ ɪˈlɪp sɔɪd /

noun

Geometry. a solid figure all plane sections of which are ellipses or circles. Typical equation: (x2/a2) + (y2/b2) + (z2/c2) = 1.

adjective

ellipsoidal.

Origin of ellipsoid

From the French word ellipsoïde, dating back to 1715–25. See ellipse, -oid

Words nearby ellipsoid

elliot's operation, elliott, ellipse, ellipsis, ellipsograph, ellipsoid, ellipsoid of revolution, ellipsoidal, ellipsoidal joint, ellipsometer, ellipt

Example sentences from the Web for ellipsoid

British Dictionary definitions for ellipsoid

ellipsoid
/ (ɪˈlɪpsɔɪd) /

noun

  1. a geometric surface, symmetrical about the three coordinate axes, whose plane sections are ellipses or circles. Standard equation: x ²/ a ² + y ²/ b ² + z ²/ c ² = 1, where ± a, ± b, ± c are the intercepts on the x-, y-, and z- axes
  2. a solid having this shapethe earth is an ellipsoid

Derived forms of ellipsoid

ellipsoidal (ɪlɪpˈsɔɪdəl, ˌɛl-), adjective

Scientific definitions for ellipsoid

ellipsoid
[ ĭ-lĭp′soid′ ]

A three-dimensional geometric figure resembling a flattened sphere. Any cross section of an ellipsoid is an ellipse or circle. An ellipsoid is generated by rotating an ellipse around one of its axes.