O"val , n. A body or figure in the
shape of an
egg, or popularly, of an ellipse.
Cassinian oval (Geom.), the locus of
a point the
product of whose distances from two fixed points is constant; -- so called from Cassini, who first investigated the curve. Thus, in the diagram, if P
moves so that P A.P B is constant, the point P describes a Cassinian oval. The locus may
consist of a single closed line, as shown by the
dotted line, or of two equal ovals about the points A and
B.
O"val (?), a. [F. ovale, fr. L. ovum egg. Cf. Egg, Ovum.]
1. Of or
pertaining to eggs; done in the egg, or inception; as, oval conceptions.
[Obs.]
2. Having the figure of
an egg; oblong and curvilinear, with one end broader than the other, or with both ends of about the
same breadth; in popular usage, elliptical.
3.
(Bot.) Broadly
elliptical.
Oval chuck (Mech.), a lathe chuck so constructed that work attached to it, and cut by the turning tool in the usual
manner, becomes of an oval form.
Hear it pronounced