circular

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Of or relating to a circle.

2. 2

   In the shape of, or moving in, a circle.

   • Near-synonyms: oval; round; toroid, ringlike, round-like
3. 3

   Circuitous or roundabout.

4. ›+ 11 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension

      Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.

      • circular reasoning
      • Your dictionary defines "brave" as "courageous", and "courageous" as "brave". That's a circular definition.
      • a circular formula in a spreadsheet
   2. 5

      Distributed to a large number of persons.

      • a proclamation of Henry III., […] doubtless circular throughout England
   3. 6

      Perfect

      Perfect; complete.

      • A man so absolute and circular / In all those wished-for rarities that may take / A virgin captive.
   4. 7

      Adhering to a fixed circle of legends

      Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior.

      • February 1, 1711, John Dennis, on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?
   5. 8

      An advertisement, directive or notice intended for mass circulation.

      • The pigeon-hole was also stuffed with circulars and hand-bills.
   6. 9

      Ellipsis of circular letter.

   7. 10

      Ellipsis of circular file.

   8. 11

      A sleeveless cloak cut from a circular pattern.

   9. 12

      A shuttle bus with a circular route.

   10. 13

       To distribute circulars to or at.

       • It is true, that, to obtain these, some six hundred or more institutions were circulared, and a good many of these a second time.
       • I do not mean to say we have never employed some of them who come to us—but we have never circulared agents or gone after them.
   11. 14

       To extend in a circular direction.

       • The theme can be expressed in an architectural analogy. For, of all contriving to encover space, the arch — alone or 'circulared' into the dome — is the most ingenious.

The neighborhood

• synonymannular
• synonymcircular
• synonymcyclic
• synonymdiscoid
• synonymround
• synonymrounded
• antonymsharp
• antonymsquare
• antonymthin
• neighborcircle
• neighborcircular file
• neighborcircular firing squad
• neighborcircular saw
• neighborshape
• neighborrecursive
• neighborrotund
• neighborspherical
• neighboradvertisement
• neighborbooklet
• neighborbrochure
• neighborcatalogue