Circular
Circular , adjective
[Latin circularis, from circulus circle: compare French circulaire. See Circle.]
1.
In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round.
2.
repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning.
3.
Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See Cyclic poets, under Cyclic.
Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?
4.
Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter.
A proclamation of Henry III.,... doubtless circular throughout England.
5.
Perfect; complete. [Obsolete]
A man so absolute and circular
In all those wished-for rarities that may take
A virgin captive.
Collocations (11)
Circular are , any portion of the circumference of a circle.
Circular cubics (Mathematics) , curves of the third order which are imagined to pass through the two circular points at infinity.
Circular instruments , mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360°.
Circular lines , straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangents, secants, etc.
Circular note or or Circular letter (Commerce) , See under Credit. A letter addressed in identical terms to a number of persons.
Circular numbers (Arithmetic) , those whose powers terminate in the same digits as the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36. — Bailey
Circular points at infinity (Geometry) , two imaginary points at infinite distance through which every circle in the plane is, in the theory of curves, imagined to pass.
Circular sailing or Globular sailing (Nautical) , the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle.
Circular saw , See under Saw.
Circular , noun
[Compare (for sense 1) French circulaire, lettre circulaire. See Circular, a.]
1.
A circular letter, or paper, usually printed, copies of which are addressed or given to various persons; as, a business circular.
2.
A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.