Main Entry: ¹cir·cuit

Pronunciation: \ˈsər-kət\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French circuite, from Latin circuitus, from circumire, circuire to go around, from circum- + ire to go — more at issue

Date: 14th century

1 a : a usually circular line encompassing an area b : the space enclosed within such a line
2 a : a course around a periphery b : a circuitous or indirect route
3 a : a regular tour (as by a traveling judge or preacher) around an assigned district or territory b : the route traveled c : a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor
4 a : the complete path of an electric current including usually the source of electric energy b : an assemblage of electronic elements : hookup c : a two-way communication path between points (as in a computer) d : a neuronal pathway of the brain along which electrical and chemical signals travel
5 a : an association of similar groups : league b : a number or series of public outlets (as theaters, radio shows, or arenas) offering the same kind of presentation c : a number of similar social gatherings <the cocktail circuit>

— cir·cuit·al \-kə-t^əl\ adjective