elliptically.

1. By omitting information that the reader or listener is expected to infer.

2. In a form or path having the shape of an ellipse.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• elliptically refer
• elliptically state

On the page

The letter elliptically referred to the incident without naming anyone involved.

The narrator elliptically stated the result and left the intermediate choices for the reader to infer.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb; use more or most only where natural. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: description, narrative analysis, characterization, contrast. Disciplines: literary analysis, prose writing, advanced general English. Commonness: uncommon.