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circle the wagons

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cir⋅cle

  [sur-kuhl] noun, verb, -cled, -cling.
Use circle the wagons in a Sentence
–noun
1. a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x 2 + 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. Government. an administrative division, esp. of a province.
13. Geography. a parallel of latitude.
14. Astronomy.
a. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
b. meridian circle.
15. Surveying. 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.
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
21. to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
22. Movies, Television. to iris (usually fol. by in or out).
—Idiom
23. 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.
Origin:
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

Related forms:
circler, noun

Synonyms:
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 ring 1 ) 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cir·cle   (sûr'kəl)   


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n.  

  1. A plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.

  2. A planar region bounded by a circle.

  3. Something, such as a ring, shaped like such a plane curve.

  4. A circular course, circuit, or orbit: a satellite's circle around the earth.

  5. A traffic circle.

  6. A curved section or tier of seats in a theater.

  7. A series or process that finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.

  8. A group of people sharing an interest, activity, or achievement: well-known in artistic circles.

  9. A territorial or administrative division, especially of a province, in some European countries.

  10. A sphere of influence or interest; domain.

  11. Logic A vicious circle.

v.   cir·cled, cir·cling, cir·cles

v.   tr.

  1. To make or form a circle around; enclose. See Synonyms at surround.

  2. To move in a circle around.

v.   intr.
To move in a circle. See Synonyms at turn.

[Middle English cercle, from Old French, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus, circle, from Greek kirkos, krikos; see sker-2 in Indo-European roots.]
cir'cler (-klər) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

circle

A process used in finding interested buyers of a new security issue before determining the final price. A potential customer will be given a preliminary price (for example, the interest rate for a bond or the selling price for a stock) and will commit to a purchase if the issue is actually priced at the preliminary estimate. A different price permits the customer to back out or to get the first chance to buy the issue at the new price. Compare indication of interest.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cir·cle
Pronunciation: 's&r-k&l
Function: noun
1 a : a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixedpoint within the curve b : the plane surface bounded by such a curve
2 : something (as an anatomical part) in the form of a circle or section of a circle circle> —see CIRCLE OF WILLIS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

circle cir·cle (sûr'kəl)
n.

  1. A ring-shaped structure or group of structures.

  2. A line or process with every point equidistant from the center.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
circle   (sûr'kəl)  Pronunciation Key 


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A closed curve whose points are all on the same plane and at the same distance from a fixed point (the center).
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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