~ 1
■ noun
1》 a small circular band, typically of precious metal, worn on a finger as an ornament or as a token of marriage, engagement, or authority.
2》 a circular band, article, or mark.
↘a thin band of rock and ice particles round a planet.
↘ chiefly Brit. a flat circular heating device forming part of a gas or electric hob.
↘ Archaeology a circular prehistoric earthwork, typically consisting of a bank and ditch.
3》 an enclosed space in which a sport, performance, or show takes place.
4》 a circle of people or things.
↘a group of people engaged in a shared enterprise, especially one involving illegal activity: a drug ~.
5》 Chemistry a number of atoms bonded together to form a closed loop in a molecule.
6》 Mathematics a set of elements with two binary operations, addition and multiplication, the second being distributive over the first and associative.
■ verb
1》 surround.
↘ chiefly Brit. draw a circle round.
2》 Brit. Ornithology put an identifying strip around the leg of (a bird).
3》 put a circular band through the nose of (a bull, pig, etc.) to lead or control it.
4》 informal fraudulently change the identity of (a motor vehicle).
Phrases
hold the ~ monitor a dispute or conflict without becoming involved.
run (or make ) ~s round (or around) informal outclass or outwit (someone) easily.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~less adjective
Origin
OE h~ , of Gmc origin; related to rank 1 .
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~ 2
■ verb ( past rang ; past participle rung )
1》 make or cause to make a clear resonant or vibrating sound.
↘(of a telephone) ~ repeatedly to signal an incoming call.
↘call for attention by sounding a bell.
↘(often ~ with ) reverberate with a sound.
↘(of the ears) be filled with a buzzing or humming sound due to a blow or loud noise.
↘( ~ something up ) record an amount on a cash register.
2》 Brit. call by telephone.
↘( ~ off ) end a telephone call by replacing the receiver.
3》 sound (the hour, a peal, etc.) on a bell or bells.
↘( ~ someone/thing in or out ) usher someone or something in (or out) by or as if by ~ing a bell.
4》 ( ~ with ) be filled with (a quality).
↘convey a specified impression or quality: the author's honesty ~s true.
■ noun
1》 an act of ~ing.
↘a loud clear sound or tone.
2》 Brit. informal a telephone call.
3》 a quality conveyed by something heard: the tale had a ~ of truth.
4》 a set of bells, especially church bells.
Phrases
~ down (or up ) the curtain
1》 lower (or raise) a theatre curtain.
2》 mark the end (or beginning) of something.
Origin
OE h~an , of Gmc origin, perh. imitative.