The word 'ellipse' describes the elongated path planets take around the sun, different from a perfect circle. In astronomy class, we learned that Earth's orbit is an ellipse.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not a Circle
An 'ellipse' is often confused with a circle, remember it's stretched in one direction like an oval. She drew an ellipse with two focal points instead of a perfect circle.
Pro Tip 3/3
Visual Cues
In diagrams or art, an 'ellipse' can represent perspective, showing depth or three-dimensionality. The artist used an ellipse to give the illusion of a round plate on the table.