ˈsə:kl n. & v. --n. 1 a a
round plane
figure whose circumference is
everywhere equidistant from its centre. b
the line enclosing a circle. 2 a roundish
enclosure or
structure. 3 a ring. 4 a curved upper
tier of seats in a
theatre etc. (dress circle). 5 a
circular route. 6 Archaeol. a
group of (usu.
large embedded) stones arranged in a circle. 7 Hockey = striking-circle. 8 persons grouped round a centre of
interest. 9 a set or
class or restricted group (literary circles;
not done in the
best circles). 10 a
period or
cycle (the circle of the year). 11 (in full
vicious circle) a an
unbroken sequence of
reciprocal cause and effect. b an
action and
reaction that intensify each other (cf.
virtuous circle). c the
fallacy of proving a
proposition from
another which depends on the
first for its
own proof. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by round, about)
move in a circle. 2 tr. a
revolve round. b
form a circle round. øcircle
back move in a
wide loop towards the starting-point.
come full circle
return to the starting-point. go round in circles
make no
progress despite effort.
great (or small) circle a circle on the
surface of a
sphere whose plane passes (or
does not pass)
through the sphere's centre.
run round in circles colloq. be fussily
busy with little result. øøcircler n. [ME f. OF cercle f. L circulus dimin. of
circus ring]
