I. ˈsərkyələr; ˈsə̄kyələ(r, ˈsəik- adjective
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Late Latin circularis ) of earlier circuler, from Middle English, from Middle French circuler, circulier, from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus circle — more at circle
1.
a. : having the exact or approximate form or outline of a circle : round
a circular orbit
a circular cavity
a circular area
b. : made in round shape or tubular form : so made as to form a circle when spread flat
a circular cape
2. : marked by motion in a circle
a circular dance
: describing a circle or spiral
a circular staircase
: going in a circle : operating with a circular arrangement
a circular machine for knitting
3. : relating to the circle or its properties
a circular arc
4. obsolete : perfect , complete
5. : circuitous , indirect
a circular treatment of the problem
6. : marked by or similar to reasoning or arguing in a circle
paucity of evidence tends to make the arguments circular — Times Literary Supplement
7. : marked by or moving in a cycle of repetition
8. : intended for circulation either widely or within a particular group
a subcommittee drafted a circular letter to all the disaffected groups
• cir·cu·lar·ly adverb
• cir·cu·lar·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
1. : an announcement, advertisement, or directive typically in the form of a printed leaflet intended to be sent to many persons or otherwise distributed widely
the first government circular relative to the medical examination of aviators — H.G.Armstrong
a circular to be sent to the police of the areas in which the twenty-nine men lived — F.W.Crofts
2. also circular cloak : a long full often fur-lined cape popular in the 19th century