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circŭlus , i, m. (contr. circlus , like vinclum = vinculum, Verg. G. 3, 166) [kindred with κίρκος, κύκλος, circinus],
I.a circular figure, a circle: circulus aut orbis, qui κύκλος Graece dicitur, Cic. N. D. 2, 18, 47: “muri exterior,” Liv. 36, 9, 12: “circulus ad speciem caelestis arcūs orbem solis ambiit,” Suet. Aug. 95.—
B. Esp.
1. In astronomy, a circular course, orbit: “stellae circulos suos orbesque conficiunt celeritate mirabili,” Cic. Rep. 6, 15, 15: “aequinoctialis, solstitialis, septentrionalis,” Varr. L. L. 9, § 24; Ov. M. 2, 516: “lacteus,” the Milky Way, Plin. 2, 25, 23, § 91; 18, 29, 69, § 230: “signifer,” Vitr. 6, 1, 1; 9, 8, 8.—
2. In geog., a zone or belt of the eartb's surface: “plura sunt segmenta mundi, quae nostri circulos appellavere, Graeci parallelos,” Plin. 6, 34, 39, § 212 sqq.—
C. Trop., of time: “mensis artiore praecingitur circulo,” Sen. Ep. 12, 6. —
II. Meton.
A. Any circular body; a ring, necklace, hoop, chain, Verg. A. 5, 559; 10, 138; id. G. 3, 166; Plin. 14, 21, 27, § 132; Suet. Aug 80.—
B. A circle or company for social intercourse (very freq.): “in conviviis rodunt, in circulis vellicant,” Cic. Balb. 26, 57; “so with convivia also,” Liv. 32, 20, 3; 34, 61, 5; 44, 22, 8; Domit. Mars. ap. Quint. 6, 3, 105; Tac. A. 3, 54; Nep. Epam. 3, 3; Mart. 2, 86, 11; 10, 62, 5: “cir culos aliquos et sessiunculas consectarl,” Cic. Fin. 5, 20, 56 per fora et circulos locuti sunt, Tac Agr 43; cf Quint. 12, 10, 74: “quemcumque patrem familias arripuissetis ex aliquo circulo,” Cic. de Or. 1, 34, 159; 1, 38, 174: “de circulo se subducere,” to withdraw from the assembly, id. Q. Fr. 3, 4, 1; Quint. 2, 12 10; cf.: “densa circumstantium corona latissimum judicium multiplici circulo ambibat,” Plin. Ep 6, 33, 3.
A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary. revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by. Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879.

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hide References (24 total)
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (24):
    • Cicero, Letters to his brother Quintus, 3.4.1
    • Cicero, For Cornelius Balbus, 26.57
    • Ovid, Metamorphoses, 2.516
    • Vergil, Aeneid, 5.559
    • Vergil, Georgics, 3.166
    • Suetonius, Divus Augustus, 95
    • Vitruvius, On Architecture, 6.1.1
    • Vitruvius, On Architecture, 9.8.8
    • Tacitus, Annales, 3.54
    • Cicero, On Oratory, 1.34
    • Cornelius Nepos, Epaminondas, 3.3
    • Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 2.91
    • Pliny the Younger, Epistulae, 6.33.3
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 44, 22
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 34, 61.5
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 32, 20.3
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 36, 9
    • Cicero, De Republica, 6.15
    • Cicero, de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, 5.20
    • Cicero, de Natura Deorum, 2.18
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 2, 12
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 6, 3.105
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 12, 10.74
    • Seneca, Epistulae, 12.6
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