circular

[sur-kyuh-ler] /ˈsɜr kyə lər/
adjective
1.
having the form of a circle; round:
a circular tower.
2.
of or pertaining to a circle:
a circular plane.
3.
moving in or forming a circle or a circuit:
the circular rotation of the earth.
4.
moving or occurring in a cycle or round:
the circular succession of the seasons.
5.
roundabout; indirect; circuitous:
a circular route.
6.
Logic. of or pertaining to reasoning in which the conclusion is ostensibly proved, but in actuality it or its equivalent has been assumed as a premise.
7.
pertaining to a circle or set of persons.
8.
(of a letter, memorandum, etc.) addressed to a number of persons or intended for general circulation.
noun
9.
a letter, advertisement, notice, or statement for circulation among the general public.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Latin circulāris, equivalent to circul(us) circle + -āris -ar1
Related forms
circularity, circularness, noun
circularly, adverb
noncircular, adjective
noncircularly, adverb
subcircular, adjective
subcircularly, adverb
subcircularity, noun
uncircular, adjective
uncircularly, adverb
Synonyms
9. handbill, flier, leaflet.
Examples from the web for circular
  • Yet any sort of circular migration brings challenges of integration.
  • Diatoms take all sorts of shapes and sizes, such as these circular ones.
  • Nearly circular bands, called auroral ovals, surround both poles of our planet.
  • The wreaths symbolize the couple's unity, both in their circular shape and in the ribbon that connects them.
  • circular seating area creates an outdoor family room.
  • So, there is nothing special about the circular motion except that it gives the pumpkin a longer amount of time to speed up.
  • His circular sail is attached to a mast that rises above a bridge between two pontoons.
  • Many people confuse older styles of circular intersections with modern roundabouts.
  • Almost all of our moon's craters are nearly circular too.
  • Also, their orbits are elliptical instead of nearly circular.
British Dictionary definitions for circular

circular

/ˈsɜːkjʊlə/
adjective
1.
of, involving, resembling, or shaped like a circle
2.
circuitous
3.
(of arguments) futile because the truth of the premises cannot be established independently of the conclusion
4.
travelling or occurring in a cycle
5.
(of letters, announcements, etc) intended for general distribution
noun
6.
a printed or duplicated advertisement or notice for mass distribution
Derived Forms
circularity (ˌsɜːkjʊˈlærɪtɪ), circularness, noun
circularly, adverb
Word Origin and History for circular
adj.

late 14c., from Anglo-French circuler, Old French circuler "circular" (14c., Modern French circulaire), from Latin circularis, from circulus (see circle (n.)). The metaphoric circular firing squad is attested by 1990.

n.

1550s, "circular figure," from circular (adj.). Meaning "a notice circulated" is from 1818.