I. ˈsər-kət noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French circuite, from Latin circuitus, from circumire, circuire to go around, from circum- + ire to go — more at issue
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a usually circular line encompassing an area
b. : the space enclosed within such a line
2.
a. : a course around a periphery
b. : a circuitous or indirect route
3.
a. : a regular tour (as by a traveling judge or preacher) around an assigned district or territory
b. : the route traveled
c. : a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor
4.
a. : the complete path of an electric current including usually the source of electric energy
b. : an assemblage of electronic elements : hookup
c. : a two-way communication path between points (as in a computer)
d. : a neuronal pathway of the brain along which electrical and chemical signals travel
5.
a. : an association of similar groups : league
b. : a number or series of public outlets (as theaters, radio shows, or arenas) offering the same kind of presentation
c. : a number of similar social gatherings
the cocktail circuit
• cir·cuit·al -kə-t ə l adjective
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
: to make a circuit about
intransitive verb
: to make a circuit