OVAL, an oblong curvilinear figure, otherwise called ellipsis. (See ELLIPSIS). However, the proper oval, or egg shape, differs considerably from that of the ellipsis, being an irregular figure, narrower at one end than at another: whereas the ellipsis or mathematical oval, is equally broad at each end: though it must be owned, these two are commonly confounded together; even geometers calling the oval a false ellipsis.