Round Table

Round Round, a. [OF. roond, roont, reond, F. rond, fr. L. rotundus, fr. rota wheel. See {Rotary}, and cf. {Rotund}, {roundel}, {Rundlet}.] 1. Having every portion of the surface or of the circumference equally distant from the center; spherical; circular; having a form approaching a spherical or a circular shape; orbicular; globular; as, a round ball. ``The big, round tears.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Upon the firm opacous globe Of this round world. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Having the form of a cylinder; cylindrical; as, the barrel of a musket is round. [1913 Webster]

3. Having a curved outline or form; especially, one like the arc of a circle or an ellipse, or a portion of the surface of a sphere; rotund; bulging; protuberant; not angular or pointed; as, a round arch; round hills. ``Their round haunches gored.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Full; complete; not broken; not fractional; approximately in even units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.; -- said of numbers. [1913 Webster]

Pliny put a round number near the truth, rather than the fraction. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

5. Not inconsiderable; large; hence, generous; free; as, a round price. [1913 Webster]

Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Round was their pace at first, but slackened soon. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

6. Uttered or emitted with a full tone; as, a round voice; a round note. [1913 Webster]

7. (Phonetics) Modified, as a vowel, by contraction of the lip opening, making the opening more or less round in shape; rounded; labialized; labial. See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect] 11. [1913 Webster]

8. Outspoken; plain and direct; unreserved; unqualified; not mincing; as, a round answer; a round oath. ``The round assertion.'' --M. Arnold. [1913 Webster]

Sir Toby, I must be round with you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

9. Full and smoothly expanded; not defective or abrupt; finished; polished; -- said of style, or of authors with reference to their style. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

In his satires Horace is quick, round, and pleasant. --Peacham. [1913 Webster]

10. Complete and consistent; fair; just; -- applied to conduct. [1913 Webster]

Round dealing is the honor of man's nature. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

{At a round rate}, rapidly. --Dryden.

{In round numbers}, approximately in even units, tens, hundreds, etc.; as, a bin holding 99 or 101 bushels may be said to hold in round numbers 100 bushels.

{Round bodies} (Geom.), the sphere right cone, and right cylinder.

{Round clam} (Zo["o]l.), the quahog.

{Round dance} one which is danced by couples with a whirling or revolving motion, as the waltz, polka, etc.

{Round game}, a game, as of cards, in which each plays on his own account.

{Round hand}, a style of penmanship in which the letters are formed in nearly an upright position, and each separately distinct; -- distinguished from running hand.

{Round robin}. [Perhaps F. round round + ruban ribbon.] (a) A written petition, memorial, remonstrance, protest, etc., the signatures to which are made in a circle so as not to indicate who signed first. ``No round robins signed by the whole main deck of the Academy or the Porch.'' --De Quincey. (b) (Zo["o]l.) The cigar fish.

{Round shot}, a solid spherical projectile for ordnance.

{Round Table}, the table about which sat King Arthur and his knights. See {Knights of the Round Table}, under {Knight}.

{Round tower}, one of certain lofty circular stone towers, tapering from the base upward, and usually having a conical cap or roof, which crowns the summit, -- found chiefly in Ireland. They are of great antiquity, and vary in heigh from thirty-five to one hundred and thiry feet.

{Round trot}, one in which the horse throws out his feet roundly; a full, brisk, quick trot. --Addison.

{Round turn} (Naut.), one turn of a rope round a timber, a belaying pin, etc.

{To bring up with a round turn}, to stop abruptly. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Syn: Circular; spherical; globular; globase; orbicular; orbed; cylindrical; full; plump; rotund. [1913 Webster]