This process is, of course, most active at the time of perihelion passage, and if the comet returns to perihelion time after time, as the periodic ones which move in elliptic orbits must do, this waste of material may become a serious matter, leading ultimately to the comet's destruction.
"A Text-Book of Astronomy"
George C. Comstock
They occupy full two-thirds of the width of the intervening arches, which are five feet wide, elliptic rather than semi-circular, and altogether without ornament of any kind.
"Account of a Tour in Normandy, Vol. II. (of 2)"
Dawson Turner
The vans or wings of my machine describe elliptic figures of eight.
"The Mark Of Cain"
Andrew Lang