• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

2circular noun : a paper (as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution

Synonyms

booklet, brochure, folder, leaflet, pamphlet—more at PAMPHLET

cir·cu·lar·ize verb -ized; -iz·ing 1 : to send circulars to

2 : to poll by questionnaire

circular saw noun : a power saw with a round cutting blade

cir·cu·late verb -lat·ed; -lat·ing 1 : to move or cause to move in a circle, circuit, or orbit

2 : to pass from place to place or from person to person

3 : to become well-known or widespread

— cir·cu·la·tion noun

Synonyms

[2, 3] broadcast, disseminate, propagate, spread, strew—more at SPREAD

cir·cu·la·to·ry adjective : of or relating to circulation or the circulatory system

circulatory system noun : the system of blood, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and heart concerned with the circulation of the blood and lymph

cir·cum·am·bu·late verb -lat·ed; -lat·ing : to circle on foot esp. as part of a ritual

cir·cum·cise verb -cised; -cis·ing [ORIGIN: ME, fr. L circumcisus, pp. of circumcidere, lit., to cut around, fr. circum around + caedere to cut]

: to cut off the foreskin of

— cir·cum·ci·sion noun

cir·cum·fer·ence noun 1 : the perimeter of a circle

2 : the external boundary or surface of a figure or object

Synonyms

border, bound, boundary, compass, confines, edge, end, fringe, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, verge—more at BORDER

cir·cum·flex noun : the mark ˆ over a vowel

cir·cum·lo·cu·tion noun : the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea

Synonyms

prolixity, redundancy, verbiage, wordiness—more at VERBIAGE

cir·cum·lu·nar adjective : revolving about or surrounding the moon

cir·cum·nav·i·gate verb : to go completely around (as the earth) esp. by water

— cir·cum·nav·i·ga·tion noun

Synonyms

circle, coil, compass, encircle, girdle, loop, orbit, ring, round—more at ENCIRCLE

cir·cum·po·lar adjective 1 : continually visible above the horizon

2 : surrounding or found near a pole of the earth

cir·cum·scribe verb 1 : to constrict the range or activity of

2 : to draw a line around

— cir·cum·scrip·tion noun

Synonyms

check, confine, control, curb, inhibit, limit, restrain, restrict

bound, define, delimit, demarcate, limit, mark, terminate—more at LIMIT

cir·cum·spect adjective : careful to consider all circumstances and consequences : PRUDENT

— cir·cum·spec·tion noun

Synonyms

alert, careful, cautious, considerate, gingerly, guarded, heedful, prudent, safe, wary—more at CAREFUL

cir·cum·spec·tion noun : careful consideration to minimize risk

Synonyms

alertness, care, carefulness, caution, heedfulness—more at CAUTION

cir·cum·stance noun 1 : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another

2 : surrounding conditions

3 a : an inevitable and often adverse end : FATE

b : something that happens unpredictably : CHANCE

4 plural : situation with regard to wealth

5 : CEREMONY

Synonyms

[3a] destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot, portion—more at FATE

[3b] accident, chance, hazard, luck—more at CHANCE

cir·cum·stan·tial adjective 1 : consisting of or depending on circumstances

2 : INCIDENTAL

3 : containing full details

— cir·cum·stan·tial·ly adverb

Synonyms

detailed, elaborate, full, minute, thorough—more at DETAILED

cir·cum·vent verb 1 a : to go around : make a full circuit around or bypass without going through

b : to manage to get around esp. by ingenuity or stratagem

2 : to check or defeat esp. by stratagem

— cir·cum·ven·tion noun

Synonyms

[1a, b] dodge, sidestep, skirt; also avoid, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, shake, shun; disobey, disregard, flout, ignore

Antonyms

comply (with), follow, keep, obey, observe

[1a, b] bypass, detour, skirt—more at DETOUR

cir·cus noun 1 : a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used esp. for sports or spectacles

2 : a usu. traveling show that features feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns

3