circle

English

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A circle

Etymology

From Latin circulus. Replaced Middle English cercle, from Old French cercle, from the same Latin source.

Pronunciation

Noun

circle (plural circles)

  1. (geometry) A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from another point.
    The set of all points (x, y) such that (x-1)2 + y2 = r2 is a circle of radius r around the point (1, 0).
  2. A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance from another point.
  3. Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.
    Put on your dunce-cap and sit down on that circle.
  4. A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.
    move in a circle
  5. Orbit.
  6. A specific group of persons.
    inner circle
    circle of friends
    • 1907, Robert Chambers, chapter 6, The Younger Set[1]:
      “I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, … !”
    • 1922, Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
      The Rabbit could not claim to be a model of anything, for he didn’t know that real rabbits existed; he thought they were all stuffed with sawdust like himself, and he understood that sawdust was quite out-of-date and should never be mentioned in modern circles.
  7. (cricket) A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match.
  8. (Wicca) A ritual circle that is casted three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other itmes used for worship.
  9. (South Africa) A traffic circle or roundabout.
    • 2011, Charles E. Webb, Downfall and Freedom (page 120)
      He arrived at the lakefront and drove around the circle where the amusement park and beach used to be when he was a kid […]

Synonyms

  • (two-dimensional outline geometric figure): coil (not in mathematical use), ring (not in mathematical use), loop (not in mathematical use)
  • (two-dimensional solid geometric figure): disc/disk (in mathematical and general use), round (not in mathematical use; UK & Commonwealth only)
  • (curve): arc, curve
  • (orbit): orbit
  • (a specific group of persons): bunch, gang, group

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

two-dimensional outline geometric figure
disc, two-dimensional solid geometric figure
three-dimensional geometric figure
curve
orbit
group of persons
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked

Verb

circle (third-person singular simple present circles, present participle circling, simple past and past participle circled)

  1. (transitive) To travel around along a curved path.
  2. (transitive) To surround.
  3. (transitive) To place or mark a circle around.
    Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.
  4. (intransitive) To travel in circles.
    Vultures circled overhead.

Derived terms

Translations

travel around along a curved path
surround
place or mark a circle around
travel in circles
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked

Anagrams

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Last modified on 17 April 2013, at 01:15