To square the circle

To square the circle
Circle Cir"cle (s[~e]r"k'l), n. [OE. cercle, F. cercle, fr. L. circulus (Whence also AS. circul), dim. of circus circle, akin to Gr. kri`kos, ki`rkos, circle, ring. Cf. {Circus}, {Circum-}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center. [1913 Webster]

2. The line that bounds such a figure; a circumference; a ring. [1913 Webster]

3. (Astron.) An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle. [1913 Webster]

Note: When it is fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a {mural circle}; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a {meridian circle} or {transit circle}; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a {reflecting circle}; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a {repeating circle}. [1913 Webster]

4. A round body; a sphere; an orb. [1913 Webster]

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth. --Is. xi. 22. [1913 Webster]

5. Compass; circuit; inclosure. [1913 Webster]

In the circle of this forest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. A company assembled, or conceived to assemble, about a central point of interest, or bound by a common tie; a class or division of society; a coterie; a set. [1913 Webster]

As his name gradually became known, the circle of his acquaintance widened. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

7. A circular group of persons; a ring. [1913 Webster]

8. A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself. [1913 Webster]

Thus in a circle runs the peasant's pain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

9. (Logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning. [1913 Webster]

That heavy bodies descend by gravity; and, again, that gravity is a quality whereby a heavy body descends, is an impertinent circle and teaches nothing. --Glanvill. [1913 Webster]

10. Indirect form of words; circumlocution. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Has he given the lie, In circle, or oblique, or semicircle. --J. Fletcher. [1913 Webster]

11. A territorial division or district. [1913 Webster]

Note:

{The Circles of the Holy Roman Empire}, ten in number, were those principalities or provinces which had seats in the German Diet. [1913 Webster]

{Azimuth circle}. See under {Azimuth}.

{Circle of altitude} (Astron.), a circle parallel to the horizon, having its pole in the zenith; an almucantar.

{Circle of curvature}. See {Osculating circle of a curve} (Below).

{Circle of declination}. See under {Declination}.

{Circle of latitude}. (a) (Astron.) A great circle perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic, passing through its poles. (b) (Spherical Projection) A small circle of the sphere whose plane is perpendicular to the axis.

{Circles of longitude}, lesser circles parallel to the ecliptic, diminishing as they recede from it.

{Circle of perpetual apparition}, at any given place, the boundary of that space around the elevated pole, within which the stars never set. Its distance from the pole is equal to the latitude of the place.

{Circle of perpetual occultation}, at any given place, the boundary of the space around the depressed pole, within which the stars never rise.

{Circle of the sphere}, a circle upon the surface of the sphere, called a great circle when its plane passes through the center of the sphere; in all other cases, a small circle.

{Diurnal circle}. See under {Diurnal}.

{Dress circle}, a gallery in a theater, generally the one containing the prominent and more expensive seats.

{Druidical circles} (Eng. Antiq.), a popular name for certain ancient inclosures formed by rude stones circularly arranged, as at Stonehenge, near Salisbury.

{Family circle}, a gallery in a theater, usually one containing inexpensive seats.

{Horary circles} (Dialing), the lines on dials which show the hours.

{Osculating circle of a curve} (Geom.), the circle which touches the curve at some point in the curve, and close to the point more nearly coincides with the curve than any other circle. This circle is used as a measure of the curvature of the curve at the point, and hence is called circle of curvature.

{Pitch circle}. See under {Pitch}.

{Vertical circle}, an azimuth circle.

{Voltaic circuit} or {Voltaic circle}. See under {Circuit}.

{To square the circle}. See under {Square}.

Syn: Ring; circlet; compass; circuit; inclosure. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • square the circle — british informal phrase to do something that is very difficult or impossible How does the prime minister square that circle? Thesaurus: to successfully deal with a problem or difficultysynonym Main entry: square * * * construct a square equal …   Useful english dictionary

  • square the circle — ► to solve a very difficult situation or problem: »He will have to square the circle of how to sell at current prices while cutting the cost of production to make a profit. Main Entry: ↑square …   Financial and business terms

  • square the circle — ► square the circle 1) construct a square equal in area to a given circle (a problem incapable of a purely geometrical solution). 2) do something considered to be impossible. Main Entry: ↑square …   English terms dictionary

  • square the circle — When someone is squaring the circle, they are trying to do something impossible …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • square the circle — to find a good solution to a problem when that seems impossible, especially because the people involved have very different needs or opinions about it. Few poor countries can afford to look after their works of art properly, but neglect is unwise …   New idioms dictionary

  • To square the circle — Square Square, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Squared} (skw[^a]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Squaring}.] [Cf. OF. escarrer, esquarrer. See {Square}, n.] 1. To form with four equal sides and four right angles. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. To form with right angles… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • square the circle — British informal to do something that is very difficult or impossible How does the prime minister square that circle? …   English dictionary

  • square the circle — 1》 construct a square equal in area to a given circle (a problem incapable of a purely geometrical solution). 2》 do something considered to be impossible. → square …   English new terms dictionary

  • square the circle — verb a) To construct a square with the same area as a given circle by using only a finite number of steps with compass and straightedge. b) To solve a famously difficult or impossible problem …   Wiktionary

  • square the circle — make a circle into a square, try to do the impossible …   English contemporary dictionary

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