Definition of Circle

Cir´cle   Pronunciation: sẽr´k'l
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.
- Macaulay.
7.A circular group of persons; a ring.
Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain.
- Dryden.
- Glanvill.
10.Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
Has he given the lie,
In circle, or oblique, or semicircle.
- J. Fletcher.
11.A territorial division or district.
Azimuth circle
See under Azimuth.
Circle of altitude
(Astron.) a circle parallel to the horizon, having its pole in the zenith; an almucantar.
Circle of curvature
See Osculating circle of a curve (Below).
Circle of declination
See under Declination.
Circle of latitude
a - (Astron.) A great circle perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic, passing through its poles.
b - (Spherical Projection) A small circle of the sphere whose plane is perpendicular to the axis.
Circles of longitude
Circle of perpetual apparition
Circle of perpetual occultation
Circle of the sphere
Diurnal circle
See under Diurnal.
Dress circle
Druidical circles
(Eng. Antiq.) a popular name for certain ancient inclosures formed by rude stones circularly arranged, as at Stonehenge, near Salisbury.
Family circle
a gallery in a theater, usually one containing inexpensive seats.
Horary circles
(Dialing) the lines on dials which show the hours.
Osculating circle of a curve
Pitch circle
See under Pitch.
Vertical circle
an azimuth circle.
Voltaic circuit
See under Circuit.
To square the circle
See under Square.
v. t.1.
[imp. & p. p. Circled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Circling .]
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.
Their heads are circled with a short turban.
- Dampier.
So he lies, circled with evil.
- Coleridge.
To circle in
to confine; to hem in; to keep together; as, to circle bodies in.
- Sir K. Digby.
v. i.1.To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.
Thy name shall circle round the gaping through.
- Byron.

Related Words

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Cipher key
Circle at infinity
Circle of altitude
Circle of curvature
Circle of declination
Circle of latitude
Circle of perpetual apparition
Circle of perpetual occultation
Circle of the gorge
Circle of the sphere
Circles of longitude
circuit breaker
Circuit court
Circuit of action

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