1.nounA closed curve, the locus of a point such that the sum of the distances from that point to two other fixed points (called the foci of the ellipse) is constant; equivalently, the conic section that is the intersection of a cone with a plane that does not intersect the base of the cone.
2.verb(grammar) To remove from a phrase a word which is grammatically needed, but which is clearly understood without having to be stated.