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 line2 a: a course around a periphery b: a circuitous or indirect route3 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 pastor4 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 travel5 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