circle-n; 8 Senses

Sense Number 1: ellipse, geometric curved closed plane

Commentary: CIRCLE[+form][+geometric][+plane][+curved][+ellipse][+center][+one]
NOTE: refers to a mathematical object ellipse in which the two axis 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.
The plane followed a great circle route to asia.
Above the arctic circle, the sun doesn't appear above the horizon for months.
Determine the area of a rectangle whose vertices touch the circumference of this circle.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: anything having a round shape

Commentary: CIRCLE[+form][+physical][+shape][+round] Anything which is round, or in a circular configuration
NOTE: refers to physical forms, not abstract ones (Sense 1)

The chairs were arranged in a circle.
The machine punched out metal circles.
The lamp spread a circle of light.
The guests were seated in a circle for the seance.
The jockey dreamed of being in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby. (small area of racetrack)
Pete had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 3: people closely associated socially

Commentary: CIRCLE[+entity][+group][+social][+close][+people] set, band, lot - an unoffical association of people or groups

The CEO divulged the information to only the innermost circle of his staff.
John was among Mary's circle of friends in high school.
She found it exhilarating to move in such exalted circles.
Sally joined the sewing circle at her church.
It's a story that's been going around the gossip circles for some time now.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 4: cyclic movement, repeating traversal

Commentary: CIRCLE[+action][+movement][+cyclic] circuit - movement once around a course

John kept driving in circles until he stopped someone and asked for directions.
He ran circles around the football field.
They've come full circle on that issue.
It's a vicious circle of getting deeper in debt to pay off the current debts.
The gymnast performed a beautiful grand circle on the horizontal bars.
He runs circles around me when it comes to organizing a party. (metaphoric extension)
Bob was running around in circles all day impressing a visiting client. (figurative extension)

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: traffic rotary, roundabout

Commentary: CIRCLE[+entity][+structure][+road][+rotary] rotary, roundabout - a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island

The cars already in the circle have the right-of-way over those entering it.
They're putting in a traffic circle at the busy intersection downtown.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: curved tier of seating in a theater

Commentary: CIRCLE[+entity][+structure][+theater][+tier][+curved][+seating] dress circle - a curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra

They had excellent seats in the dress circle of the opera house.
We got inexpensive seats in the family circle at the theater.
A column partially blocked our view of the ballet from our seats in the parquet circle.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 7: drug, narcotic

Commentary: CIRCLE[+entity][+substance][+drug][+flunitrazepan] R-2, Mexican valium, rophy, rope, roofy, roach, forget me drug - street name for flunitrazepan

Dude, I heard that they slipped him a circle and he woke up naked and robbed.

WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 8: none of the above

Commentary: Automatically generated NOTA sense (bbn)