Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Circular
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
reasoning3.
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
letterA proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless
circular
throughout England. Hallam.
5.
Perfect; complete.
[Obs.]
A man so absolute and
In all those wished-for rarities that may take
A virgin captive.
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°.
– Circular lines
, straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangents, secants, etc.
– Circular note
or Circular 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 sailing
or
Globular sailing
(Naut.)
, the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle.
– Circular saw
. See under
Saw
.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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Circular
CIRCULAR
, a.1.
In the form of a circle; round; circumscribed by a circle; spherical; as, the sun appears to be circular.2.
Successive in order; always returning.3.
Vulgar; mean; circumforaneous; as a circular poet.4.
Ending in itself; used of a paralogism, where the second proposition at once proves the first, and is proved by it.5.
Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; as a circular letter.6.
Circular lines, such straight lines as are divided from the divisions made in the arch of a circle; as the lines of sines, tangents and secants, on the plain scale and sector.7.
Circular numbers, are those whose powers terminate in the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36. 8.
Circular sailing, is the method of sailing by the arch of a great circle.CIRCULAR
,Noun.