Talk:elliptical

Here's my problem: I've got multiple sources that expand this definition further. I'm using the word in a biography of a living person on Wikipedia which, if anyone here doesn't know, has strict guidelines for accuracy and citation/referencing. I understand that words can only be omitted from written or oral expression. What I don't understand is

1. Why other people can't get the meaning of the word from the limited definition currently in place, and
2. Why it can't be expanded (as I did) to match other online references and make it extra clear for those who need things explained in greater detail (see #1).

So, while I don't need anyone to attempt to answer #1, I would like someone here to answer #2 for me so that I can relay that information to others on WP when I'm asked why I'm using an external link to reference the definition of a word in my featured article. Thanks.

Oh, and here are the sources I speak of:

1. Merriam-Webster
2. The Free Dictionary
3. dictionary.die.net
4. OnlineDictionary
5. English-test.net
6. encarta.msn
7. yourdictionary.com
8. biology-online.org
9. grewl.mobi
10. wordnet-online.com
11. Webster-dictionary
12. BrainyQuote.com
13. ARDictionary

LaraLove 17:15, 19 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

Regarding your sources,

1. The element you're wishing to add is 2.a.2, without the intervening sub-meanings which have bearing.
2. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not present on en.wt.
3. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not present on en.wt.
4. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense with the addition of "essential to comprehension", one which is currently not present on en.wt.
5. Does not include the "expanding content" you previously added.
6. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not present on en.wt.
7. Adds submeanings, as you did, to sense #2.
8. Does not include the expanding content you previously added.
9. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not present on en.wt. (Note also lacks the geometry sense.)
10. Moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not present on en.wt.
11. Is the word elliptic, but moves those sub-meanings to a third sense, one which is currently not on en.wt.
12. Does not include the expanding content you previously added.
13. Server not found.

Having examined your sources, it appears the sub-meanings could reasonably be added as a third sense to the term. However, "words omitted from written or oral communication" is a pleonasm. - Amgine/^talk 18:10, 19 April 2008 (UTC)Reply