circle
Shape without corners
Though they are not related etymologically, the adjective round tells us all we need to know about the distinguishing qualities of a circle, thus avoiding the technical description of one.
Circle is used to describe a large number of things or relationships that loosely resemble the geometric shape: traffic circle, sewing circle.
The verb circle usually suggests movement in the shape of a circle: The vultures began to circle the rotting carcass.
Curved celestial path
- revolveTurn around center
- rotateTurn about an axis
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- loopCurve closing on itself
lap · round · gyrate · wheel · pivot · turn · spiral · whirl
Curved like circle
Boundless temporal existence
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
- infinityUnlimited extent or quantity
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- completionAct of finishing
cycle · karma · mandala · halo · aura · ouroboros · samsara · zen
Center-to-perimeter distance
- diameterDistance across through center
- piCircle's fundamental ratio
- arcCurved line segment
- tangentLine touching curve once
chord · sector · segment · area · perimeter · center · point · degree
Forceful forward motion
- arenaVenue for contests
- roundCurved like circle
- traverseMove across an area
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
audience · seating · spotlight · center stage · amphitheater
orbit
Curved celestial path
loop · lap · round · gyrate · wheel · pivot · turn · spiral · whirl · cycle
round
Curved like circle
disk · sphere · wheel · orb · oval · annulus · ball · dot · coil · spiral
eternity
Boundless temporal existence
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
- infinityUnlimited extent or quantity
- unityWholeness through cohesion
completion · cycle · karma · mandala · halo · aura · ouroboros · samsara · zen · continuity
radius
Center-to-perimeter distance
tangent · chord · sector · segment · area · perimeter · center · point · degree · angle
thrust
Forceful forward motion
promenade · audience · seating · spotlight · center stage · amphitheater
clique
Exclusive social group
network · friends · crowd · gang · set · society · cabal · ring · faction · in-group
skirt
Waist-hung lower garment
- full circleReturn to origin
- circuit boardElectronics interconnection substrate
- going in circlesFutile repetitive motion
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- circular argumentsProofs requiring their conclusions
- go in circlesMove without advancing
circus, circuit, circles, circular, circulate, encircle, circulation, circling, semicircle