CIRCASSIAN, s[.e]r-kash'yan, _adj._ belonging to _Circassia_, a district of
Russia, on the north of Mount Caucasus: a kind of light cashmere of silk
and mohair--generally CIRCASSIENNE' (Fr. _fem._).
CIRCEAN, s[.e]r-s[=e]'an, _adj._ relating to the beautiful sorceress
_Circe_, who transformed the companions of Ulysses into swine by a magic
beverage: infatuating and degrading.--Also CIRCÆ'AN.
CIRCENSIAN, sir-sen'shi-an, _adj._ relating to the CIRCUS Maximus in Rome,
where the games and contests were held.--Also CIRCEN'SIAL (_obs._). [L.
_circensis_--_circus_.]
CIRCLE, s[.e]r'kl, _n._ a plane figure bounded by one line every point of
which is equally distant from a certain point called the centre: the line
which bounds the figure: a ring: a planet's orbit: a series ending where it
began: a figure in magic; a company surrounding the principal person: those
of a certain class or society.--_v.t._ to move round: to encompass.--_v.i._
to move in a circle: to stand in a circle.--_adjs._ CIR'CINATE; CIR'CLED,
circular: encircled.--_ns._ CIR'CLER; CIR'CLET; CIR'CLING, motion in a
circle: a revolution.--DRESS' CIR'CLE (see DRESS); FAIR'Y-CIR'CLE, -RING
(see FAIRY).--REASONING IN A CIRCLE, assuming what is to be proved as the
basis of the argument. [A.S. _circul_--L. _circulus_, dim. of _circus_;
allied to A.S. _hring_, a ring.]
CIRCUIT, s[.e]r'kit, _n._ the act of moving round: area, extent: a round
made in the exercise of a calling, esp. the round made by the judges for
holding the courts of law: the judges making the round: (_Shak._)
diadem.--_v.t._ to go round.--_n._ CIRCUITEER', a judge: one who goes on a
circuit.--_adj._ CIRC[=U]'ITOUS, round about.--_adv._
CIRC[=U]'ITOUSLY.--_n._ CIRC[=U]'ITY, motion in a circle: an indirect
course.--MAKE A CIRCUIT, to go round. [Fr.,--L. _circuitus_--_circu[=i]re_,
_circum_, round, _[=i]re_, to go.]
CIRCULAR, s[.e]r'k[=u]-lar, _adj._ round: ending in itself: addressed to a
circle of persons.--_n._ a note sent round to a circle or number of
persons.--_n._ CIRCULAR'ITY.--_adv._ CIR'CULARLY.--CIRCULAR NOTES,
bank-notes issued for the convenience of travellers, being a kind of bill
personal to the bearer, who is given also a corresponding 'letter of
indication' addressed to foreign bankers.
CIRCULATE, s[.e]r'k[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to make to go round as in a circle:
to spread: to repeat (of decimals).--_v.i._ to move round: to be spread
about.--_adj._ CIR'CULABLE, capable of being circulated.--_ns._ CIR'CULANT;
CIRCUL[=A]'TION, the act of moving in a circle: the movement of the blood:
the sale of a periodical: the publication of a report or of a book: the
money in use at any time in a country.--_adjs._ CIR'CULATIVE, CIR'CULATORY,
circulating.--_n._ CIR'CULATOR.--CIRCULATING LIBRARY, one where books are
circulated among subscribers. [L. _circul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_.]
CIRCUMAMBAGES, s[.e]r-kum-am'baj-ez, _n.pl._ roundabout ways of
speech.--_adj._ CIRCUMAMB[=A]'GIOUS, roundabout in speech.--_ns._
CIRCUMAM'BIENCE, CIRCUMAM'BIENCY.--_adj._ CIRCUMAM'BIENT, going round
about.--_n._ CIRCUMBEN'DIBUS, a roundabout method or course: a
circumlocution. [L. _circum_, about, _amb[=i]re_, to go round.]
CIRCUMAMBULATE, s[.e]r-kum-am'b[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to walk round
about.--_n._ CIRCUMAMBUL[=A]'TION. [L. _ambul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to walk.]
CIRCUMCISE, s[.e]r'kum-s[=i]z, _v.t._ to cut off the foreskin according to
the Jewish law: (_fig._) to purify.--_p.adj._ CIR'CUMCISED, that has
undergone circumcision: purified, chastened.--_ns._ CIR'CUMCISER, one who
circumcises; CIRCUMCI'SION, the act of circumcising. [L. _circumcid[)e]re_,
_circumcisum_--_cæd[)e]re_, to cut.]
CIRCUMDENUDATION, s[.e]r-kum-de-n[=u]d-[=a]'shun, _n._ (_geol._) denudation
or erosion round an elevated tract left isolated.
CIRCUMDUCT, s[.e]r'kum-dukt, _v.t._ to lead around or about, to revolve
round an imaginary axis so as to describe a cone: (_Scots law_) to close a
case to further proof.--_n._ CIRCUMDUC'TION.--_adj._ CIRCUMDUCT'ORY. [L.
_circum_, about, _duc[)e]re_, _ductum_, to lead.]
CIRCUMFERENCE, s[.e]r-kum'f[.e]r-ens, _n._ the boundary-line of any round
body, esp. of a circle: the line surrounding anything: area: compass:
distance round.--_adj._ CIRCUMFEREN'TIAL--_n._ CIRCUMFERENT'OR, an
instrument used by surveyors and miners for measuring horizontal angles,
consisting of a graduated circle, an index, and a magnetic needle suspended
over the centre of a circle--now superseded by the _Theodolite_. [L.
_circum_, about, _ferre_, to carry.]
CIRCUMFLECT, s[.e]r'kum-flekt, _v.t._ to mark with a circumflex.--_ns._
CIR'CUMFLEX, an accent (^) denoting a rising and falling of the voice on a
vowel or syllable; CIRCUMFLEX'ION, a bending round. [L. _flect[)e]re_,
_flexum_, to bend.]
CIRCUMFLUENCE, s[.e]r-kum'fl[=oo]-ens, _n._ a flowing round.--_adj._
CIRCUM'FLUENT, flowing round. [L. _flu[)e]re_, to flow.]
CIRCUMFORANEOUS, s[.e]r-kum-f[=o]-r[=a]'ne-us, _adj._ wandering about as
from market to market, vagrant.--Also CIRCUMFORA'NEAN. [L., _circum_,
about, _forum_, the forum, market-place.]
CIRCUMFUSE, s[.e]r-kum-f[=u]z', _v.t._ to pour around.--_p.adj._
CIRCUMFUSED'.--_adj._ CIRCUMFUS'ILE, molten.--_n._ CIRCUMF[=U]'SION. [L.
_fund[)e]re_, _fusum_, to pour.]
CIRCUMGYRATE, s[.e]r-kum-j[=i]'r[=a]t, _v.i._ to go round and round.--_n._
CIRCUMGYR[=A]'TION.--_adj._ CIRCUMGY'RATORY. [L. _gyr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_,
to turn.]
CIRCUMJACENT, s[.e]r-kum-j[=a]'sent, _adj._ lying round: bordering on every
side.--_n._ CIRCUMJA'CENCY. [L. _jacens_, lying--_jac[=e]re_, to lie.]
CIRCUMLITTORAL, s[.e]r-kum-lit'[=o]-ral, _adj._ adjacent to the shore-line.
[L. _circum_, about, _litus_, _litoris_, the shore.]
CIRCUMLOCUTION, s[.e]r-kum-l[=o]-k[=u]'shun, _n._ roundabout speaking: a
manner of expression in which many unnecessary words are used.--_v.i._
CIR'CUMLOCUTE, to use circumlocution.--_n._ CIRCUMLOC[=U]'TIONIST, one who
practises circumlocution.--_adj._ CIRCUMLOC'UTORY.--CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE,
a name given by Dickens in _Little Dorrit_ to the government offices, owing
to their dilatoriness in attending to business. [L. _loqui_, _locutus_, to
speak.]
CIRCUMMURE, s[.e]r-kum-m[=u]r', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to wall round. [L.
_murus_, a wall.]
CIRCUMNAVIGATE, s[.e]r-kum-nav'i-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to sail round.--_adj._
CIRCUMNAV'IGABLE, capable of being circumnavigated.--_ns._
CIRCUMNAVIG[=A]'TION; CIRCUMNAV'IGATOR, one who sails round. [See
NAVIGATE.]
CIRCUMNUTATION, s[.e]r-kum-n[=u]-t[=a]'shun, _n._ a nodding or turning
successively towards all points of the compass, as in the tendrils of
plants.--_v.i._ CIRCUMN[=U]'TATE.--_adj._ CIRCUMN[=U]'TATORY. [L. _circum_,
about, _nut[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to nod.]
CIRCUMPOLAR, s[.e]r-kum-p[=o]'lar, _adj._ situated round the pole. [See
POLAR.]
CIRCUMPOSE, s[.e]r'kum-p[=o]z, _v.t._ to place round.--_n._
CIRCUMPOSI'TION, the act of placing round. [See POSITION.]
CIRCUMSCRIBE, s[.e]r-kum-skr[=i]b', _v.t._ to draw a line round: to enclose
within certain limits, to curtail, abridge.--_adj._ CIRCUMSCRIB'ABLE, able
to be circumscribed.--_ns._ CIRCUMSCRIB'ER, one who circumscribes;
CIRCUMSCRIP'TION, limitation: the line that limits: a circumscribed
place.--_adj._ CIRCUMSCRIP'TIVE, marking the external form or outline. [L.
_scrib[)e]re_, to write.]
CIRCUMSPECT, s[.e]r'kum-spekt, _adj._ looking round on all sides
watchfully: cautious: prudent.--_n._ CIRCUMSPEC'TION, watchfulness:
caution: examining.--_adj._ CIRCUMSPEC'TIVE, looking around: wary.--_adv._
CIR'CUMSPECTLY.--_n._ CIR'CUMSPECTNESS. [L. _spec[)e]re_, _spectum_, to
look.]
CIRCUMSTANCE, s[.e]r'kum-stans, _n._ the logical surroundings of an action:
an accident or event: ceremony: detail: (_pl._) the state of one's
affairs.--_v.t._ to place in particular circumstances:--_pa.p._
CIR'CUMSTANCED.--_adj._ CIRCUMSTAN'TIAL, consisting of details:
minute.--_n._ CIRCUMSTANTIAL'ITY, the quality of being circumstantial:
minuteness in details: a detail.--_adv._ CIRCUMSTAN'TIALLY.--_n.pl._
CIRCUMSTAN'TIALS, incidentals: details.--_v.t._ CIRCUMSTAN'TIATE, to prove
by circumstances: to describe exactly.--CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, evidence
which is not positive nor direct, but which is gathered inferentially from
the circumstances in the case.--IN GOOD or BAD CIRCUMSTANCES, prosperous or
unprosperous; IN, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, owing to certain conditions. [L.
_stans_, _stantis_, standing--_st[=a]re_, to stand.]
CIRCUMVALLATE, s[.e]r-kum'val-[=a]t, _v.t._ to surround with a
rampart.--_n._ CIRCUMVALL[=A]'TION, a surrounding with a wall: a wall or
fortification surrounding a town or fort. [L. _vallum_, rampart.]
CIRCUMVENT, s[.e]r-kum-vent', _v.t._ to come round or outwit a person: to
deceive or cheat.--_n._ CIRCUMVEN'TION.--_adj._ CIRCUMVENT'IVE, deceiving
by artifices. [L. _ven[=i]re_, to come.]
CIRCUMVOLVE, s[.e]r-kum-volv', _v.t._ to roll round.--_v.i._ to
revolve:--_pr.p._ circumvolv'ing; _pa.p._ circumvolved'.--_n._
CIRCUMVOL[=U]'TION, a turning or rolling round: anything winding or
sinuous. [L. _volv[)e]re_, _volutum_, to roll.]
CIRCUS, s[.e]r'kus, _n._ a circular building for the exhibition of games: a
place for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship: a group of houses
arranged in the form of a circle: applied to nature, as, e.g., high hills
surrounding a plain.--_n._ CIRQUE (s[.e]rk), a circus: a ring of some sort.
[L. _circus_; cog. with Gr. _kirkos_.]
CIRRHOPOD, CIRRHOPODA, older forms of CIRRIPED, CIRRIPEDA.
CIRRIPEDA, sir-rip'e-da, CIRRIPEDIA, sir-rip-[=e]'di-a, _n._ a degenerate
sub-class of Crustacea, including the numerous forms of _Barnacles_ and
_Acorn-shells_.--_n._ CIR'RIPED, one of the Cirripeda. [L. _cirrus_, a tuft
of hair, and _pes_, a foot.]
CIRRUS, sir'us, _n._ the highest form of clouds consisting of curling
fibres: (_bot._) a tendril: (_zool._) any curled filament:--_pl._ CIRRI
(sir'[=i]).--_adjs._ CIRR'ATE, CIRR'IFORM, like a cirrus; CIRR'IGRADE,
moving by cirri.--_n._ CIRR'O-C[=U]'MULUS, a fleecy cloud intermediate
between the cirrus and cumulus.--_adj._ CIRR'OSE, with tendrils.--_n._
CIRR'O-STR[=A]'TUS, a mottled-looking cloud intermediate between the cirrus
and stratus.--_adj._ CIRR'OUS, having a cirrus. [L.]
CISALPINE, sis-alp'in, _adj._ on this side--i.e. on the Roman side--of the
Alps.--So CISATLAN'TIC; CISLEITH'AN, on this side the Leitha, which
separates the archduchy of Austria and Hungary; CISMON'TANE, on this side
the mountains--opp. to _Ultramontane_; CIS'PADANE, on this side the Po;
CISPON'TINE, on this side of the bridges, viz. in London, north of the
Thames. [L. _cis_, on this side.]
CISELURE, s[=e]z'l[=u]r, _n._ the art or operation of chasing, the chasing
upon a piece of metal-work.--_n._ CIS'ELEUR, a chaser. [Fr.]
CISSOID, sis'soid, _n._ a plane curve consisting of two infinite branches
symmetrically placed with reference to the diameter of a circle, so that at
one of its extremities they form a Cusp (q.v.), while the tangent to the
circle at the other extremity is their common asymptote. [Gr.
_kissoeid[=e]s_.]
CIST, sist, _n._ a tomb consisting of a stone chest covered with stone
slabs.--_adjs._ CIST'ED, containing cists; CIST'IC, like a cist. [See
CHEST.]
CISTELLA, sis-tel'a, _n._ the capsular shield of some lichens. [L., dim. of
_cista_, a box.]
CISTERCIAN, sis-ter'shan, _n._ one of the order of monks established in
1098 in the forest of Citeaux (_Cistercium_), in France--an offshoot of the
Benedictines.
CISTERN, sis't[.e]rn, _n._ any receptacle for holding water or other
liquid: a reservoir: in a steam-engine, the vessel surrounding the
condenser. [L. _cisterna_, from _cista_, a chest.]
CISTUS, sis'tus, _n._ Rock-rose, a genus of exogenous shrubby plants,
cultivated for the beauty of their flowers:--_pl._ CIS'TUSES (-[=e]z) and
CIS'TI ('t[=i]). [Low L., from Gr. _kistos_, the rock-rose.]
CISTVAEN. See KISTVAEN.
CIT, sit, _n._ shortened from citizen, and used as a term of
contempt:--_fem._ CIT'ESS (_Dryden_). [See CITIZEN.]
CITADEL, sit'a-del, _n._ a fortress in or near a city: the place where the
guns are kept in an ironclad man-of-war. [It. _cittadella_, dim. of
_città_, a city. See CITY.]
CITE, s[=i]t, _v.t._ to call or summon: to summon to answer in court: to
quote: to name: to adduce as proof.--_adj._ CIT'ABLE, that can be
cited.--_ns._ CIT'AL, summons to appear: (_Shak._) accusation, reproof;
CIT[=A]'TION, an official summons to appear: the document containing the
summons: the act of quoting: the passage or name quoted; CIT[=A]'TOR, one
who cites.--_adj._ CIT'[=A]TORY, having to do with citation, addicted to
citation. [L. _cit[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to call, inten. of _ci[=e]re_,
_c[=i]re_, to make to go.]
CITHARA, sith'a-ra, _n._ an ancient musical instrument closely resembling
the guitar.--_n._ CITH'ARIST, a player on it.--_adj._ CITHARIST'IC.--_ns._
CITH'ER, CITH'ERN, CIT'TERN, a metal-stringed musical instrument, played
with a plectrum. [L.,--Gr. _kithara_. A doublet of GUITAR.]
CITIGRADE, sit'i-gr[=a]d, _adj._ moving quickly: applied to a tribe of
spiders of remarkably quick motions. [L. _citus_, quick, _gradus_, a step.]
CITIZEN, sit'i-zen, _n._ an inhabitant of a city: a member of a state: a
townsman: a freeman:--_fem._ CIT'IZENESS.--_adj._ (_Shak._) like a
citizen.--_v.t._ CIT'IZENISE, to make a citizen of.--_ns._ CIT'IZENRY, the
general body of citizens; CIT'IZENSHIP, the rights of a citizen. [M. E.
_citesein_--O. Fr. _citeain_. See CITY.]
CITOLE, sit'[=o]l, _n._ a small dulcimer used in medieval times. [O.
Fr.,--L. _cithara_.]
CITRON, sit'run, _n._ the fruit of the citron-tree, resembling a
lemon.--_n._ CIT'RATE, a salt of citric acid.--_adjs._ CIT'REOUS, citrine;
CIT'RIC, derived from the citron; CIT'RINE, dark and greenish yellow, like
a citron or lemon.--_n._ citrine colour: a rock crystal of this
colour.--_ns._ CIT'RON-WOOD, CIT'RUS-WOOD, the most costly furniture-wood
of the ancient Romans.--CITRIC ACID, the acid to which lemon and lime juice
owe their sourness. [Fr.,--L. _citrus_--Gr. _kitron_, a citron.]
CITTERN. Same as CITHER (q.v. under CITHARA).
CITY, sit'i, _n._ a large town: a town with a corporation.--_n.pl._
CIT'Y-COMMIS'SIONERS, officials who attend to the drainage, &c.--_n._
CIT'Y-MIS'SION, a mission for evangelising the poor classes in the large
cities.--_adj._ CIV'IC, pertaining to a city or citizen.--CITY OF GOD,
HEAVENLY CITY, &c., the ideal of the Church of Christ in glory; CITY OF
REFUGE, by the Jewish law a city where the perpetrator of an accidental
murder might flee for refuge.--ETERNAL CITY, Rome; HOLY CITY,
Jerusalem.--THE CITY, THE CITY OF LONDON, that part of London where
business is principally carried on. [Fr. _cité_, a city--L. _civitas_, the
state--_civis_, a citizen.]
CIVE, s[=i]v, _n._ See CHIVE.
CIVET, siv'et, _n._ a perfume obtained from the civet or CIV'ET-CAT, a
small carnivorous animal of Africa, India, &c. [Fr. _civette_--Ar.
_zabad_.]