semicircle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one half of a circle, bounded by a diameter and the arc joining its endpoints

   Draw a semicircle above the line, using the line as its diameter.

2. 2
   noun

   an arrangement of people or objects in the shape of half a circle

   The students sat in a semicircle around the visiting storyteller.

3. 3
   noun

   soccer: the penalty arc outside the penalty area

   The referee moved the defenders back beyond the semicircle before the penalty kick.

From semi- 'half' + circle. Both elements ultimately come from Latin: semi- 'half' and circulus 'small ring,' a diminutive of circus 'ring.' The geometrical name naturally broadened to any half-round arrangement.

Topics