Definition of CIRCLE

circle

Plural: circles

Noun

  • ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
    • "he calculated the circumference of the circle"
  • an unofficial association of people or groups
  • something approximating the shape of a circle
    • "the chairs were arranged in a circle"
  • movement once around a course
  • a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island
  • street names for flunitrazepan
  • a curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra
    • "they had excellent seats in the dress circle"
  • any circular or rotating mechanism
    • "the machine punched out metal circles"
  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center).
  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point.
  • Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
  • Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
  • Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.
  • Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.
  • A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.
  • A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.
  • The orbit of an astronomical body.
  • A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match.
  • A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship.
  • A traffic circle or roundabout.
  • Compass; circuit; enclosure.
  • An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle.
  • A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.
  • A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.
  • Indirect form of words; circumlocution.
  • A territorial division or district.
  • A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep.

Verb

Verb Forms: circled, circling, circles

  • To move or revolve around a central point.
  • travel around something
    • "circle the globe"
  • move in circles
  • form a circle around
    • "encircle the errors"
  • To travel around along a curved path.
  • To surround.
  • To place or mark a circle around.
  • To travel in circles.
  • To take part in a magic circle.

Examples

  • A high fence circles the enclosure.
  • After working all night, she had circles under her eyes.
  • circle of friends
  • Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.
  • Cut a circle out of that sheet of metal.
  • His strategy was to circle around the triple word score, waiting for the perfect moment.
  • I circled with that group for three years.
  • inner circle
  • literary circle
  • The crank moves in a circle.
  • The set of all points (x, y) such that (x − 1)² + y² = r² is a circle of radius r around the point (1, 0).
  • The ten Circles of the Holy Roman Empire were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet.
  • The wolves circled the herd of deer.
  • Vultures circled overhead.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English circle, cercle, from Old French cercle and Latin circulus, diminutive of Latin circus (“circle, circus”), from Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos, “circle, ring”), related to Old English hring (“ring”). Compare also Old English ċircul (“circle, zodiac”), which came from the same Latin source.

Synonyms

band, circuit, circulate, dress circle, encircle, forget me drug, lap, lot, Mexican valium, R-2, roach, roofy, rope, rophy, rotary, round, roundabout, set, traffic circle, bunch, coil, disc, disk, gang, group, loop, ring

Scrabble Score: 10

circle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
circle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
circle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

circle: valid Words With Friends Word