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o·val

(ōvəl)

adj.

1. Resembling an egg in shape.

2. Resembling an ellipse in shape; elliptical.

1. An egg-shaped or elliptical form or figure.

2. An elliptical track, as for racing or athletic events.

[Medieval Latin ōvālis, from Latin ōvum, egg; see awi- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

oval·ly adv.

oval·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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