circle

¹cir·cle

noun, often attributive \ˈsər-kəl\

Definition of CIRCLE

1

a : ring, halo

b : a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve

c : the plane surface bounded by such a curve

2

archaic : the orbit of a celestial body

3

: something in the form of a circle or section of a circle: as

a : diadem

b : an instrument of astronomical observation the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle

c : a balcony or tier of seats in a theater

d : a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through it <circle of latitude>

e : rotary 2

4

: an area of action or influence : realm

5

a : cycle, round <the wheel has come full circle>

b : fallacious reasoning in which something to be demonstrated is covertly assumed

6

: a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center <the sewing circle of her church> <family circle> <the gossip of court circles>

7

: a territorial or administrative division or district

8

: a curving side street

Examples of CIRCLE

1. She drew a circle around the correct answer.
2. We formed a circle around the campfire.
3. He looked old and tired, with dark circles under his eyes.
4. She has a large circle of friends.
5. She is well-known in banking circles.

Illustration of CIRCLE

Origin of CIRCLE

Middle English cercle, from Anglo-French, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus circle, circus, from or akin to Greek krikos, kirkos ring; akin to Old English hring ring — more at ring

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CIRCLE

Synonyms

cirque, ring, round, roundel

Related Words

circlet, ringlet; ellipse, loop, oval; ball, globe, orb, sphere

Near Antonyms

loner; individualist

²circle

verb

cir·cledcir·cling \-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of CIRCLE

transitive verb

1

: to enclose in or as if in a circle

2

: to move or revolve around <satellites circling the earth>

intransitive verb

1

a : to move in or as if in a circle

b : circulate

2

: to describe or extend in a circle

— cir·cler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of CIRCLE

1. He circled his arms around his wife's waist.
2. His arms circled around his wife's waist.
3. She circled the correct answer.
4. The pilot circled the airport before landing.
5. The halfback circled to the left.

First Known Use of CIRCLE

14th century

Related to CIRCLE

Synonyms

surround, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose (also inclose), encompass, environ, gird, girdle, ring, wreathe

Related Words

circumscribe, close in, cordon (off), fence (in), hem (in), wall; beset, besiege, entrench (also intrench), invest, swarm

cir·cle

noun \ˈsər-kəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CIRCLE

1

a : a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve b : the plane surface bounded by such a curve

2

: something (as an anatomical part) in the form of a circle or section of a circle <an arterial circle>—see circle of willis

circle

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Geometrical curve, one of the conic sections, consisting of the set of all points the same distance (the radius) from a given point (the centre). A line connecting any two points on a circle is called a chord, and a chord passing through the centre is called a diameter. The distance around a circle (the circumference) equals the length of a diameter multiplied by (see pi). The area of a circle is the square of the radius multiplied by . An arc consists of any part of a circle encompassed by an angle with its vertex at the centre (central angle). Its length is in the same proportion to the circumference as the central angle is to a full revolution.