oval
UK[ˈəʊv(ə)l]US[ˈoʊv(ə)l]
adj
having the general shape of an egg; elliptical.
n
a body, object, or design with an oval shape.
Etymology
the word 'oval' entered english in the mid-16th century from the french 'ovale', which itself derived from the medieval latin term 'ovalis'. this latin adjective was formed from 'ovum', meaning 'egg'. the semantic journey is direct and logical: the word's meaning, "egg-shaped," is a literal description of its latin root. while 'ovum' can be traced back to the proto-indo-european root ōwyóm, meaning 'egg', the modern english 'oval' remains a cohesive unit borrowed in its entirety to describe a smooth, elongated, closed curve.
Analysis
this word is a simplex loanword from latin. it is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable english morphemes.
Examples
she drew a perfect oval on the blank page.
the conference table was a large, polished oval.
his face was more oval than round.