circumference

circumference
circumference [sər kum′fər əns, sər kum′frəns]
n.
[ME < L circumferentia < circumferens, prp. of circumferre < circum, around + ferre, to carry, BEAR1]
1. the line bounding a circle, a rounded surface, or an area suggesting a circle: see CIRCLE
2. the distance measured by this line
circumferential [sər kum′fər en′shəl]
adj.
circumferentially
adv.
SYN.- CIRCUMFERENCE refers to the line bounding a circle or any approximately circular or elliptical area; PERIMETER extends the meaning to a line bounding any area, as a triangle, square, or polygon; PERIPHERY, in its literal sense identical with PERIMETER, is more frequently used of the edge of a physical object or in an extended metaphoric sense [the periphery of understanding ]; CIRCUIT now usually refers to a traveling around a periphery [the moon's circuit of the earth ]; COMPASS refers literally to an area within specific limits but is often used figuratively [the compass of the city, the compass of freedom ]

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • circumference — circumference, perimeter, periphery, circuit, compass are comparable because all in their basic senses denote a continuous line enclosing an area or space. They differ, however, in the extent to which they retain this meaning and in the number… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Circumference — Cir*cum fer*ence, n. [L. circumferentia.] [1913 Webster] 1. The line that goes round or encompasses a circular figure; a periphery. Millon. [1913 Webster] 2. A circle; anything circular. [1913 Webster] His ponderous shield . . . Behind him cast.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Circumference — Cir*cum fer*ence, v. t. To include in a circular space; to bound. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • circumference — index ambit, border, contour (outline), margin (outside limit), outline (boundary), periphery, zone …   Law dictionary

  • circumference — (n.) late 14c., from L. circumferentia, neuter plural of circumferens (loan translation of Gk. periphereia periphery, the line round a circular body, lit. a carrying round ), prp. of circumferre to lead round, take round, from circum around (see… …   Etymology dictionary

  • circumference — [n] edge, perimeter ambit, border, boundary, bounds, circuit, compass, confines, extremity, fringe, girth, limits, lip, margin, outline, periphery, rim, verge; concept 484 Ant. inside, interior, middle …   New thesaurus

  • circumference — ► NOUN 1) the enclosing boundary of a circle. 2) the distance around something. DERIVATIVES circumferential adjective. ORIGIN Latin circumferentia, from circum around + ferre carry …   English terms dictionary

  • Circumference — When a circle s radius is 1 unit, its circumference is 2π units …   Wikipedia

  • circumference — noun VERB + CIRCUMFERENCE ▪ have ▪ calculate, measure ▪ to measure the circumference of a circle PREPOSITION ▪ in circumfe …   Collocations dictionary

  • circumference — [[t]sə(r)kʌ̱mfrəns[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT The circumference of a circle, place, or round object is the distance around its edge. ...a scientist calculating the earth s circumference... The island is 3.5 km in circumference. 2) N UNCOUNT The… …   English dictionary

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