circular

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an advertisement, usually printed on a page or in a leaflet, intended for wide distribution

   The store mailed a sales circular to all subscribers.

2. 2
   adj

   In the shape of, or moving in, a circle.

   Near-synonyms: oval; round; toroid, ringlike, round-like

3. 3
   adj

   Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.

   circular reasoning

4. 4
   adj

   Distributed to a large number of persons.

   a proclamation of Henry III., […] doubtless circular throughout England

5. 5
   adj

   Perfect; complete.

   A man so absolute and circular / In all those wished-for rarities that may take / A virgin captive.

6. 6
   adj

   Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior.

   February 1, 1711, John Dennis, on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?

7. 7
   noun

   An advertisement, directive or notice intended for mass circulation.

   The pigeon-hole was also stuffed with circulars and hand-bills.

8. 8
   verb

   To distribute circulars to or at.

   The result of the sending of these notices confirms me in the opinion, that it will be necessary to adopt legal means with the great majority of these parties. The circulars have had little effect. In fact, the parties have been “circulared" into the notion that nothing more formidable will ever be sent to them.

Etymology

From Middle English circuler, circuleer, circulere, from Old French circulier (French circulaire), from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus (“ring”). By surface analysis, circle + -ar.