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(sr"k'l), n.[OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri°kos, ki°rkos, circle, ring. Cf. Circus, Circum-.] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center. 2. The line that bounds such a figure; a circumference; a ring. 3. (Astron.) An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle. When it is fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle. 4. A round body; a sphere; an orb. It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth. Is. xi. 22. 5. Compass; circuit; in Cir"cle v. t.[imp. & p. p.Circled (); p. pr. & vb. n.Circling ().] [OE. cerclen, F. cercler, fr. L. circulare to make round. See Circle, n., and cf. Circulate.] 1. To move around; to revolve around. Other planets circle other suns. Pope. 2. To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle. Prior. Pope. Their heads are circled with a short turban. Dampier. So he lies, circled with evil. Coleridge. To circle in, to confine; to hem in; to keep together; as, to circle bodies in. Sir K. Digby. Cir"cle v. i.To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate. Thy name shall circle round the gaping through. Byron. スポンサード リンク
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