2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point
of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular
reasoning.
3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence,
mean; inferior. See {Cyclic poets}, under {Cyclic}.
Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered
to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?
--Dennis.
4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a
common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation;
as, a circular letter.
A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless
circular throughout England. --Hallam.
A man so absolute and circular In all those
wished-for rarities that may take A virgin captive.
--Massinger.
{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 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 or Globular} {sailing} (Naut.), the method of
sailing by the arc of a great circle.
{Circular saw}. See under {Saw}.
2. A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.