ˈsərkyəˌlāt, ˈsə̄k-, ˈsəik-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin circulatus, past participle of circulari, circulare to go around in a circle, make round, from circulus circle — more at circle
intransitive verb
1. of a vital fluid : to flow or become propelled naturally (as of blood, lymph, or sap)
2. : to move in a circle, circuit, or orbit : move along a course having curves or bends ; especially : to move around and return to the same point
steam circulating through the pipes
the wine decanter circulated around the table
3. : to move, pass, or go around freely from person to person or from place to place:
a. : to move or flow without obstruction
air circulating through the boards being seasoned
b. : to spread widely : become widespread : become known or familiar to many
the news made its way up to Airlie and circulated through the village — William Black
the obscene tales that circulated so widely in the Italian Renaissance — R.A.Hall b. 1911
c. : to go from person to person or group to group greeting, chatting, and talking
our host and hostess circulated diligently from guest to guest — Nora Waln
no one can circulate among members of Congress without hearing frequent and sharp criticism — Harold Zink
d. : to come into the hands of readers ; often : to become sold or distributed
the satire, circulating in manuscript copies, had a great local vogue — E.V.Lucas
these magazines circulate mostly in rural areas
transitive verb
1. chemistry , obsolete : to subject to continuous redistillation in a closed vessel
2. : to cause to move in a circle or circuit : revolve , rotate
fans circulate the air through the pipes
3. : to cause to pass from person to person and usually to become widely known : disseminate
this evidence of weakening enemy morale was instantly circulated to our own people — D.D.Eisenhower
Synonyms: see spread