circle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
    • he calculated the circumference of the circle
  2. noun an unofficial association of people or groups
    band; set; lot.
    • the smart set goes there
    • they were an angry lot
  3. noun something approximating the shape of a circle
    • the chairs were arranged in a circle
  4. noun movement once around a course
    lap; circuit.
    • he drove an extra lap just for insurance
  5. noun a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island
    traffic circle; rotary; roundabout.
    • the accident blocked all traffic at the rotary
  6. noun street names for flunitrazepan
    R-2; roofy; forget me drug; rope; Mexican valium; rophy; roach.
  7. noun a curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra
    dress circle.
    • they had excellent seats in the dress circle
  8. noun any circular or rotating mechanism
    round.
    • the machine punched out metal circles
  9. verb travel around something
    • circle the globe
  10. verb move in circles
    circulate.
  11. verb form a circle around
    encircle.
    • encircle the errors

WordNet

Cir"cle noun
Etymology
OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. , , circle, ring. Cf. Circus, Circum-.
Definitions
  1. A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center.
  2. The line that bounds sush a figure; a circumference; a ring.
  3. (Astron.) An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle. ✍ When it is fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle.
  4. A round body; a sphere; an orb.
    It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth. Is. xi. 22.
  5. Compass; circuit; inclosure.
    In the circle of this forest. Shak.
  6. A company assembled, or conceived to assemble, about a central point of interest, or bound by a common tie; a class or division of society; a coterie; a set.
    As his name gradually became known, the circle of his acquaintance widened. Macaulay.
  7. A circular group of persons; a ring.
  8. A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
    Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain. Dryden.
  9. (Logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
    That heavy bodies descend by gravity; and, again, that gravity is a quality whereby a heavy body descends, is an impertinent circle and teaches nothing. Glanvill.
  10. Indirect form of words; circumlocution. R.
    Has he given the lie, In circle, or oblique, or semicircle. J. Fletcher.
  11. A territorial division or district. ✍ The Circles of the Holy Roman Empire, ten in number, were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet. Syn. -- Ring; circlet; compass; circuit; inclosure.
Cir"cle transitive verb
Etymology
OE. cerclen, F. cercler, fr. L. circulare to make round. See Circle, n., and cf. Circulate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Circled ; present participle & verbal noun Circling
Definitions
  1. To move around; to revolve around.
    Other planets circle other suns. Pope.
  2. To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle. Prior. Pope.
    Their heads are circled with a short turban. Dampier.
    So he lies, circled with evil. Coleridge.
    Sir K. Digby.
Cir"cle intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.
    Thy name shall circle round the gaping through. Byron.

Webster 1913