ellipsoid vs whorl

ellipsoid

noun
  • A surface, all of whose cross sections are elliptic or circular (including the sphere), that generalises the ellipse and in Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z) is a quadric with equation x²/a² + y²/b² + z²/c² = 1. 

  • Such a surface used as a model of the shape of the earth. 

adj
  • Shaped like an ellipse; elliptical. 

  • Having the tridimensional shape of an ellipse rotated on its long axis. 

  • Of or pertaining to an ellipse; elliptic. 

whorl

noun
  • Each circle, volution or equivalent in a pattern of concentric circles, ovals, arcs, or a spiral. 

  • A circle of three or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem. 

  • A flywheel, a weight attached to a spindle. 

  • A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell. 

  • Any volution, as for example in the human ear or fingerprint. 

verb
  • To form a pattern of concentric circles. 

How often have the words ellipsoid and whorl occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )