Word Study
circumference
CIDE DICTIONARY
circumference, n. [L. circumferentia.].
- The line that goes round or encompasses a circular figure; a periphery. Millon. [1913 Webster]
- A circle; anything circular. [1913 Webster]"His ponderous shield . . .
Behind him cast. The broad circumference
Hung on his shoulders like the moon." [1913 Webster] - The external surface of a sphere, or of any orbicular body. [1913 Webster]
circumference, v. t.
To include in a circular space; to bound. Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
circumference, n.
1 the enclosing boundary, esp. of a circle or other figure enclosed by a curve.
2 the distance round.
1 the enclosing boundary, esp. of a circle or other figure enclosed by a curve.
2 the distance round.
Derivative
circumferential adj. circumferentially adv.
Etymology
ME f. OF circonference f. L circumferentia (as CIRCUM-, ferre bear)
THESAURUS
circumference
O, ambit, annular muscle, annulus, areola, aureole, border, boundaries, boundary, bounds, bourns, chaplet, circle, circuit, circumscription, circus, closed circle, compass, confines, coordinates, corona, coronet, cortex, covering, crown, crust, cycle, diadem, discus, disk, edges, envelope, epidermis, eternal return, exterior, external, facade, face, facet, fairy ring, fringe, fringes, front, garland, glory, halo, integument, lasso, limitations, limits, lineaments, logical circle, loop, looplet, magic circle, marches, margin, metes, metes and bounds, noose, orbit, outer face, outer layer, outer side, outer skin, outline, outlines, outside, outskirts, pale, parameters, perimeter, periphery, radius, rim, rind, ring, rondelle, round, roundel, saucer, shell, skin, skirts, sphincter, superficies, superstratum, surface, top, verges, vicious circle, wheel, wreathROGET THESAURUS
circumference
Outline
N outline, circumference, perimeter, periphery, ambit, circuit, lines tournure, contour, profile, silhouette, bounds, coast line, zone, belt, girth, band, baldric, zodiac, girdle, tyre, cingle, clasp, girt, cordon, circlet.For further exploring for "circumference" in Webster Dictionary Online
