Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Circular?

\Cir"cu*lar\, a. [L. circularis, fr. circulus circle: cf. F. circulaire. See {Circle}.] 1. In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round. 2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning. 3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See {Cyclic poets}, under {Cyclic}. Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido? --Dennis. 4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter. A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless circular throughout England. --Hallam. 5. Perfect; complete. [Obs.] A man so absolute and circular In all those wished-for rarities that may take A virgin captive. --Massinger. {Circular are}, any portion of the circumference of a circle. {Circular cubics} (Math.), curves of the third order which are imagined to pass through the two circular points at infinity. {Circular functions}. (Math.) See under {Function}. {Circular instruments}, mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360[deg]. {Circular lines}, straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangents, secants, etc. {Circular} {note or letter}. (a) (Com.) See under {Credit}. (b) (Diplomacy) A letter addressed in identical terms to a number of persons. {Circular numbers} (Arith.), those whose powers terminate in the same digits as the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36. --Bailey. --Barlow. {Circular points at infinity} (Geom.), two imaginary points at infinite distance through which every circle in the plane is, in the theory of curves, imagined to pass. {Circular polarization}. (Min.) See under {Polarization}. {Circular or Globular} {sailing} (Naut.), the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle. {Circular saw}. See under {Saw}.
\Cir"cu*lar\, n. [Cf. (for sense 1) F. circulaire, lettre circulaire. See {Circular}, a.] 1. A circular letter, or paper, usually printed, copies of which are addressed or given to various persons; as, a business circular. 2. A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.