1. plural of ellipsis; sets of three dots (…) used in writing to show that words have been left out or that a thought is incomplete
Usage: grammar; punctuation
2. plural of ellipse; oval shapes that are flattened circles
Usage: geometry; mathematics

Examples

• The editor used ellipses to show where text had been removed from the quote.
• She typed ellipses at the end of her message to suggest she had more to say.
• The student learned to use ellipses properly in formal writing.
• The planets follow ellipses as they orbit around the sun.
• The artist drew several ellipses to create the oval windows.
• In geometry class, we studied the properties of ellipses and circles.
• The garden was designed with flower beds arranged in ellipses.