Circular /(?)/

Cir·cu·lar

Circular

a.
  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.
  5. Perfect; complete. [Obs.]
    A man so absolute and circular In all those wished-for rarities that may take A virgin captive.

Phrases & Compounds
Circular are
any portion of the circumference of a circle.
Circular cubics
curves of the third order which are imagined to pass through the two circular points at infinity.
Circular functions
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
See under Credit.
Circular numbers
those whose powers terminate in the same digits as the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36.
Circular points at infinity
two imaginary points at infinite distance through which every circle in the plane is, in the theory of curves, imagined to pass.
Circular polarization
See under Polarization.
Circular sailing
the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle.
Circular saw
See under Saw.

Circular

n.
  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.