— circler , n.
/serr"keuhl/ , n. , v. , circled, circling .
n.
1. a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x 2 + y 2 = r 2 .
2. the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.
3. any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement: a circle of dancers.
4. a ring, circlet, or crown.
5. the ring of a circus.
6. a section of seats in a theater: dress circle.
7. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere: A politician has a wide circle of influence.
8. a series ending where it began, esp. when perpetually repeated; cycle: the circle of the year.
9. Logic. an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.
10. a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle: the circle of the sciences.
11. a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie: a literary circle; a family circle.
12. Govt. an administrative division, esp. of a province.
13. Geog. a parallel of latitude.
14. Astron.
a. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
b. See meridian circle .
15. Survey. a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.
16. a sphere or orb: the circle of the earth.
17. a ring of light in the sky; halo.
v.t.
18. to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle: Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill.
19. to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around: He circled the house cautiously.
20. to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade: The ship carefully circled the iceberg.
21. circle the wagons ,
a. (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.
b. Slang. to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight: The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.
v.i.
22. to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
23. Motion Pictures , Television. to iris (usually fol. by in or out ).
[ bef. 1000; circulus, equiv. to circ ( us ) (see CIRCUS) + -ulus -ULE; r. ME cercle circul ]
Syn. 3. ring, halo, corona. 11. CIRCLE, CLUB, COTERIE, SET, SOCIETY are terms applied to restricted social groups. A CIRCLE may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.: a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles. CLUB implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues: an athletic club. COTERIE suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality: a literary coterie.
SET refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a CLIQUE (See ring 1 ) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities: the country club set. A SOCIETY is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind: a Humane Society.