roundabout

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Indirect, circuitous, or circumlocutionary.

   [S]he fled, running like a deer, doubling and turning through alleys and back streets until by a very roundabout road she reached her own room.

2. 2
   adj

   Encircling; enveloping; comprehensive.

   The third sort is of those who readily and sincerely follow reason, but for want of having that which one may call a large, sound, roundabout sense, have not a full view of all that relates to the question.

3. 3
   adj

   deviating from a straight course

4. 4
   adj

   marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

5. 5
   noun

   a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement

6. 6
   noun

   a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island

7. 7
   noun

   A horizontal wheel which rotates around a central axis when pushed and on which children ride, often found in parks as a children's play apparatus.

8. 8
   noun

   A fairground carousel.

Etymology

From round + about [from early 20th c.].