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circle (s<etil/r"k\'l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. o
| circle | (s<etil/r"k\'l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri`kos, ki`rkos, circle, ring. Cf. Circus, Circum-.] [1913 Webster]
1. A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center. [1913 Webster]
2. The line that bounds such a figure; a circumference; a ring. [1913 Webster]
3. (Astron.) An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle. [1913 Webster]
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| circle | , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Circled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Circling (?).] [OE. cerclen, F. cercler, fr. L. circulare to make round. See Circle, n., and cf. Circulate.] [1913 Webster]
1. To move around; to revolve around. [1913 Webster]
-Other planets circle other suns. Pope. [1913 Webster]
2. To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle. Prior. Pope. [1913 Webster]
-Their heads are circled with a short turban. Dampier. [1913 Webster]
-So he lies, circled with evil. Coleridge. [1913 Webster]
To circle in, to confine; to hem in; to keep together; as, to circle bodies in. Sir K. Digby. [1913 Webster] |
| circle | , v. i. To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate. [1913 Webster]
-Thy name shall circle round the gaping through. Byron. [1913 Webster] |
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