circle

circle
circler, n.
/serr"keuhl/, n., v., circled, circling.
n.
1. a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x2 + y2 = r2.
2. the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.
3. any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement: a circle of dancers.
4. a ring, circlet, or crown.
5. the ring of a circus.
6. a section of seats in a theater: dress circle.
7. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere: A politician has a wide circle of influence.
8. a series ending where it began, esp. when perpetually repeated; cycle: the circle of the year.
9. Logic. an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.
10. a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle: the circle of the sciences.
11. a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie: a literary circle; a family circle.
12. Govt. an administrative division, esp. of a province.
13. Geog. a parallel of latitude.
14. Astron.
a. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
15. Survey. a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.
16. a sphere or orb: the circle of the earth.
17. a ring of light in the sky; halo.
v.t.
18. to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle: Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill.
19. to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around: He circled the house cautiously.
20. to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade: The ship carefully circled the iceberg.
a. (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.
b. Slang. to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight: The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.
v.i.
22. to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
23. Motion Pictures, Television. to iris (usually fol. by in or out).
[bef. 1000; < L circulus, equiv. to circ(us) (see CIRCUS) + -ulus -ULE; r. ME cercle < OF < L, as above; r. OE circul < L, as above]
Syn. 3. ring, halo, corona. 11. CIRCLE, CLUB, COTERIE, SET, SOCIETY are terms applied to restricted social groups. A CIRCLE may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.: a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles. CLUB implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues: an athletic club. COTERIE suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality: a literary coterie.
SET refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a CLIQUE (See ring1) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities: the country club set. A SOCIETY is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind: a Humane Society.

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I
Geometrical curve, one of the conic sections, consisting of the set of all points the same distance (the radius) from a given point (the centre).

A line connecting any two points on a circle is called a chord, and a chord passing through the centre is called a diameter. The distance around a circle (the circumference) equals the length of a diameter multiplied by π (see pi). The area of a circle is the square of the radius multiplied by π. An arc consists of any part of a circle encompassed by an angle with its vertex at the centre (central angle). Its length is in the same proportion to the circumference as the central angle is to a full revolution.
II
(as used in expressions)

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Circle — Cir cle (s[ e]r k l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri kos, ki rkos, circle, ring. Cf. {Circus}, {Circum }.] [1913 Webster] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single curve… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Circle — Circle, September 1899 Lage in Alaska …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • circle — [sʉr′kəl] n. [ME cercle < OFr < L circulus, a circle, dim. of circus: see CIRCUS] 1. a plane figure bounded by a single curved line, every point of which is equally distant from the point at the center of the figure: see CONIC SECTION,… …   English World dictionary

  • Circle X — Origin Louisville, Kentucky, USA Genres No Wave Art rock Years active 1978–1995 Labels Matador Records …   Wikipedia

  • Circle — Cir cle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Circled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Circling}.] [OE. cerclen, F. cercler, fr. L. circulare to make round. See {Circle}, n., and cf. {Circulate}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To move around; to revolve around. [1913 Webster] Other… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Circle — Circle, AK U.S. Census Designated Place in Alaska Population (2000): 100 Housing Units (2000): 42 Land area (2000): 107.672614 sq. miles (278.870779 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.540092 sq. miles (1.398832 sq. km) Total area (2000): 108.212706 sq …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Circle — Жанры краут рок психоделический рок пост рок экспериментальный рок Годы 1991 наши дни …   Википедия

  • Circle D — KC Estates, TX U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2010 Housing Units (2000): 847 Land area (2000): 9.274671 sq. miles (24.021286 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.034981 sq. miles (0.090601 sq. km) Total area (2000): 9.309652 sq …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Circle D, TX — Circle D KC Estates, TX U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas Population (2000): 2010 Housing Units (2000): 847 Land area (2000): 9.274671 sq. miles (24.021286 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.034981 sq. miles (0.090601 sq. km) Total area (2000):… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • circle — ► NOUN 1) a round plane figure whose boundary consists of points equidistant from the centre. 2) a group of people or things forming a circle. 3) a curved upper tier of seats in a theatre. 4) a group of people with a shared profession, interests …   English terms dictionary

  • Circle — Cir cle, v. i. To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate. [1913 Webster] Thy name shall circle round the gaping through. Byron. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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