'Circular instruments' definitions:

Definition of 'Circular instruments'

From: GCIDE
  • Circular \Cir"cu*lar\, a. [L. circularis, fr. circulus circle: cf. F. circulaire. See Circle.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See Cyclic poets, under Cyclic. [1913 Webster]
  • Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido? --Dennis. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter. [1913 Webster]
  • A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless circular throughout England. --Hallam. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Perfect; complete. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • A man so absolute and circular In all those wished-for rarities that may take A virgin captive. --Massinger. [1913 Webster]
  • Circular are, any portion of the circumference of a circle.
  • Circular cubics (Math.), curves of the third order which are imagined to pass through the two circular points at infinity.
  • Circular functions. (Math.) See under Function.
  • Circular instruments, mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360[deg].
  • Circular lines, straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangents, secants, etc.
  • Circular note or Circular letter. (a) (Com.) See under Credit. (b) (Diplomacy) A letter addressed in identical terms to a number of persons.
  • Circular numbers (Arith.), those whose powers terminate in the same digits as the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36. --Bailey. --Barlow.
  • Circular points at infinity (Geom.), two imaginary points at infinite distance through which every circle in the plane is, in the theory of curves, imagined to pass.
  • Circular polarization. (Min.) See under Polarization.
  • Circular sailing or Globular sailing (Naut.), the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle.
  • Circular saw. See under Saw. [1913 Webster]