elliptical
adj.shaped like a flattened circle or an oval. It can also describe a style of speaking or writing that is hard to understand because it leaves out information.
adj.relating to or having the shape of an ellipse; also describes a style of communication characterized by extreme economy of expression or the omission of words.
“The planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun.”
“The poet's elliptical style forced readers to fill in the gaps between his fragmented thoughts.”
“While the satellite's path was strictly elliptical, its speed varied significantly depending on its proximity to the planet's gravitational center.”
Used both in technical scientific contexts and to describe literary or rhetorical styles. Often appears before the noun it modifies.
“Kamiya’s collection is remarkable in its variety but united by its laconic, sometimes elliptical style.”
“This is not a war play in any strident sense: its reflections are more personal and elliptical, even if, in such circumstances, the personal is political.”
From elliptic + -al, from Ancient Greek ἐλλειπτικός (elleiptikós), from ἐλλείπω (elleípō, “I leave out, omit”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.