| 单词 | circle |
| 释义 | circle —circler, n. /serr"keuhl/, n. , v. , circled, circling. n. 1. a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x2 + y2 = r2. 2. the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve. 3. any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement: a circle of dancers. 4. a ring, circlet, or crown. 5. the ring of a circus. 6. a section of seats in a theater: dress circle. 7. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere: A politician has a wide circle of influence. 8. a series ending where it began, esp. when perpetually repeated; cycle: the circle of the year. 9. Logic. an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle. 10. a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle: the circle of the sciences. 11. a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie: a literary circle; a family circle. 12. Govt. an administrative division, esp. of a province. 13. Geog. a parallel of latitude. 14. Astron. a. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body. b. See meridian circle. 15. Survey. a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read. 16. a sphere or orb: the circle of the earth. 17. a ring of light in the sky; halo. v.t. 18. to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle: Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill. 19. to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around: He circled the house cautiously. 20. to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade: The ship carefully circled the iceberg. 21. circle the wagons, a. (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack. b. Slang. to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight: The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline. v.i. 22. to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing. 23. Motion Pictures , Television. to iris (usually fol. by in or out). [bef. 1000; < L circulus, equiv. to circ(us) (see CIRCUS) + -ulus -ULE; r. ME cercle < OF < L, as above; r. OE circul < L, as above] Syn. 3. ring, halo, corona. 11. CIRCLE, CLUB, COTERIE, SET, SOCIETY are terms applied to restricted social groups. A CIRCLE may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.: a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles. CLUB implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues: an athletic club. COTERIE suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality: a literary coterie. SET refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a CLIQUE (See ring1) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities: the country club set. A SOCIETY is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind: a Humane Society. |
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