Ellipsoid (Noun)
Meaning
A surface whose plane sections are all ellipses or circles; "the Earth is an ellipsoid".
Classification
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes.
Examples
- The Earth is approximately an ellipsoid in shape, meaning that it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.
- The geoid is an ellipsoid that is used as a reference surface for mapping the Earth's topography.
- In astronomy, the orbits of planets and stars are often approximated as ellipsoids to simplify calculations.
- The mirror in a telescope is typically an ellipsoid of revolution, with a circular cross-section that is symmetrical about the optical axis.
- A football is roughly an ellipsoid in shape, with pointed ends and a rounded body.