a. [ L. circularis, fr. circulus circle: cf. F. circulaire. See Circle. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See Cyclic poets, under Cyclic. [ 1913 Webster ] Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido? Dennis. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter. [ 1913 Webster ] A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless circular throughout England. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Perfect; complete. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] A man so absolute and circular
In all those wished-for rarities that may take
A virgin captive. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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