circle

noun

1. 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).

   “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).”

2. (colloquial)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.

   “Near-synonyms: coil, ring, loop”

3. Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.

   “Children, please join hands and form a circle.”

4. Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.

   “Cut a circle out of that sheet of metal.”

5. Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.

   “The crank moves in a circle.”

6. A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.

   “inner circle”

   “circle of friends”

   “literary circle”

   “As his name gradually became known, the circle of his acquaintance widened.”

   “At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors.[…]In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.”

7. (Japanese)A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.
8. The orbit of an astronomical body.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. (Dundee, India, Philippines, South-Africa)A traffic circle or roundabout.

    “He arrived at the lakefront and drove around the circle where the amusement park and beach used to be when he was a kid[…]”

12. (obsolete)Compass; circuit; enclosure.

    “in the circle of this forest”

13. 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.
14. A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.

    “Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain.”

15. A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.

    “That heavy Bodies deſcend by gravity, is no better an account then we might expect from a Ruſtick: and again; that Gravity is a quality whereby an heavy body deſcends, is an impertinent Circle, and teacheth nothing.”

16. (form-of, indirect)Indirect form of words; circumlocution.

    “Has he given the lie, / In circle, or oblique, or semicircle.”

17. A territorial division or district.

    “The ten Circles of the Holy Roman Empire were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet.”

18. (in-plural)A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep.

    “After working all night, she had circles under her eyes.”

verb

1. (transitive)To travel around along a curved path.

   “The wolves circled the herd of deer.”

   “Other planets circle other suns.”

2. (transitive)To surround.

   “A high fence circles the enclosure.”

   “Their heads are circled with a short turban.”

   “So he lies, circled with evil.”

3. (transitive)To place or mark a circle around.

   “Circle the jobs that you are interested in applying for.”

4. (intransitive)To travel in circles.

   “Vultures circled overhead.”

5. (intransitive)To take part in a magic circle.

   “I circled with that group for three years.”

name

1. A census-designated place in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. Erroneously thought to be on the Arctic Circle, which is 50 miles further north.
2. A town, the county seat of McCone County, Montana, United States. Named after a cattle brand in the form of a circle.
3. the Circle line of the London Underground, originally the Inner Circle.

   “The authorising acts were passed in July 1864, and this legislation brought into being what is today the Circle Line ... all of which sounds very simple. In reality it would be a painful process.”

4. A surname from German.