circle

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English cercle, from Anglo-French, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus circle, circus, from or akin to Greek krikos, kirkos ring; akin to Old English hring ring — more at ring Date: 14th century 1. a. ring, halo b. a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve c. the plane surface bounded by such a curve 2. archaic the orbit of a celestial body 3. something in the form of a circle or section of a circle: as a. diadem b. an instrument of astronomical observation the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle c. a balcony or tier of seats in a theater d. a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through it <

circle of latitude

> e. rotary 2 4. an area of action or influence ; realm 5. a. cycle, round <

the wheel has come full circle

> b. fallacious reasoning in which something to be demonstrated is covertly assumed 6. a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center <

the sewing circle of her church

> <

family circle

> <

the gossip of court circles

> 7. a territorial or administrative division or district 8. a curving side street II. verb (circled; circling) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to enclose in or as if in a circle 2. to move or revolve around <

satellites circling the earth

> intransitive verb 1. a. to move in or as if in a circle b. circulate 2. to describe or extend in a circle • circler noun