circle (subs.) Copy link Outline I. A geometrical figure, or what is arranged in such a figure1. circŭlus2. orbis, is, m. (the most usu. word to denote anything round)3. gȳrus (esp. of the wheeling, circular movements made by animalsII. Compass, circuit (q. v.).III. A group of persons1. circŭlus2. cŏrōnaIV. In argument • circle (subs.): I. A geometrical figure, or what is arranged in such a figure: 1. circŭlus: the outer c. of the walls, c. muri exterior, Liv.: the stars complete their c s and orbits, stellae c. suos orbesque conficiunt, Cic.: the arctic c., c. septentrionalis, Varr.: Sen. 2. orbis, is, m. (the most usu. word to denote anything round): to twirl a sling in a c., fundum in orbem torquere, Cic.: to ride in a c., equitare in orbem, Ov.: the c. of a wheel, o. rotae, Ov.: the soldiers arranged themselves in a c., milites in orbem constiterunt, Caes. Dimin.: orbĭcŭlus, a small c.; esp. of wheels: Cato: Plin. 3. gȳrus (esp. of the wheeling, circular movements made by animals: v. TO WHEEL ROUND): bees perform c.s in their flight, apes volatu gyros edunt, Plin.: so, gyros trahere, Virg.; g. ducere, Ov. Fig.: v. compass. Phr.: the common people standing in a c., vulgi stante corona, Ov.: he drew a c. round him as he stood, with a stick, virgula stantem circumscripsit, Cic. Phil. 8, 8, 23 (but of course an exact circle is not meant): to describe a c., circinationem circuli describere, Vitr.; ducere rotundam circinationem, Vitr. II. Compass, circuit (q. v.). III. A group of persons: 1. circŭlus: v. group. 2. cŏrōna: Cic.: Liv.: Ov. Phr.: in the family c., domi; una cum suis: v. at home: I find my only pleasure in the family c., privata modo et domestica nos delectant, Cic. Att. 4, 16, 6: to have a wide c. of friends, in magna celebritate amicorum vivere, versari, cf. Cic. Off. 3, 1, 3. IV. In argument: Phr.: to argue in a c., *quasi gyro quodam in argumentando uti; vitio quodam argumentandi quae sumpta sunt pro argumentis adhibere: (not eodem revolvi, as given by Kraft, etc., which means to come or amount to the same thing).
CIRCLE Copy link • CIRCLE 1. circulus: circus (of a greater extent, but doubtful in this meaning, since in Cic., N.D., 2, 18, 47, and De Rep., 6, 15, 15, the manuscripts vary between circus and circulus): orbis (with regard to circumference as terminating in itself). To describe a circle, circulum describere (circino); circinationem describere; ducere rotundam circinationem: to describe a circle round anybody or anything, circumscribere aliquid or aliquem (with a compass, a staff, etc., circino, virga or virgula): circulo aliquid or aliquem includere (to inclose anybody or anything in a circle within which one is to remain): to form a circle, orbem colligere: in orbem consistere (both of soldiers, for the sake of better defending themselves; also in orbem, i. e., orbe collecto, se tutari): to form a circle round anybody (e.g., of auditors), corona aliquem cingere: to fight in (the form of) a circle, in orbem pugnare: to argue in a circle, *eodem revolvi: iufirma ratione uti, quae videtur pro ratione afferri, sed idem dicit, quod in expositione dictum est (after Auct. ad Herenn). A vicious circle (in argument). *demonstratio eodem se revolvens (☞ Auct. ad Her., 2, 18, 27). Social assembly, circulus (i. e., a meeting for entertainment): convivium (party). (The words are found in this connection and order), in circulis et conviviis: congressio familiarium (circle of friends): corona [Vid: above]. Circuit, Vid: To reason in a circle, eodem revolvi (after Cic., Divin., 2, 5). District, pagus. 2. v. circumdare alicui rei aliquid or rem aliqua re: cingere aliqua re: circumstare (stand round): circumsedere (sit round): circumsistere (place one’s self round with accessory notions of oppressing): circumcludere. To move round in a circle, circumire (go round): circumvolare: circumvolitare (fly round, of birds and persons).