Nearby Words
verb (used without object)
1.
to move in a circle or circuit; move or pass through a circuit back to the starting point: Blood circulates throughout the body.
2.
to pass from place to place, from person to person, etc.: She circulated among her guests.
3.
to be distributed or sold, especially over a wide area.
4.
Library Science. (of books and other materials) to be available for borrowing by patrons of a library for a specified period of time.
verb (used with object)
5.
to cause to pass from place to place, person to person, etc.; disseminate; distribute: to circulate a rumor.
6.
Library Science. to lend (books and other materials) to patrons of a library for a specified period of time.
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Circulate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| chat, to converse |
Origin:
1425–75 for earlier senses; 1665–75 for current senses; late Middle English < Latin circulātus (past participle of circulārī to gather round one, Medieval Latin circulāre to encircle), equivalent to circul(us) circle + -ātus -ate1
1425–75 for earlier senses; 1665–75 for current senses; late Middle English < Latin circulātus (past participle of circulārī to gather round one, Medieval Latin circulāre to encircle), equivalent to circul(us) circle + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
cir·cu·lat·a·ble, adjective
in·ter·cir·cu·late, verb, in·ter·cir·cu·lat·ed, in·ter·cir·cu·lat·ing.
non·cir·cu·lat·ing, adjective
EXPANDnon·cir·cu·la·to·ry, adjective
pre·cir·cu·late, verb, pre·cir·cu·lat·ed, pre·cir·cu·lat·ing.
re·cir·cu·late, verb, re·cir·cu·lat·ed, re·cir·cu·lat·ing.
un·cir·cu·lat·ed, adjective
un·cir·cu·lat·ing, adjective
un·cir·cu·la·tive, adjective
well-cir·cu·lat·ed, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
3. disperse, spread, promulgate.
3. disperse, spread, promulgate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Circulate
Example Sentences
- We have become our own entertainment hubs, around which our friends and media circulate.
- But kidnapping alerts do deserve some basic vetting, since there can be serious consequences when hoaxes are allowed to circulate.
- It's one reason why many boards circulate the minutes of their meetings.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
circulate
1471, as a chemical term for alternating vaporization and condensation, from L. circulatus, pp. of circulare, from circulus (see circle). Meaning "to move around, revolve" is from 1670s; of blood, from 1656; of persons, "to mingle in a social gathering," from 1863. Sense
EXPAND of "to pass about freely" is from 1664; of newspapers from 1885. Related: Circulating (1630s).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
circulate  (sûr'kyə-lāt') Pronunciation Key
To move in or flow through a circle or a circuit. Blood circulates through the body as it flows out from the heart to the tissues and back again. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo Rating For Circulate
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