vicious circle

vicious circle
1. Logic.
a. (in demonstration) the use of each of two propositions to establish the other.
b. (in definition) the use of each of two terms to define the other.
2. a situation in which effort to solve a given problem results in aggravation of the problem or the creation of a worse problem: a vicious circle where the more I give them, the more they expect.
[1785-95]

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Universalium. 2010.

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