full circle
English
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌfʊl ˈsɜː.kəl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌfʊl ˈsɝ.kəl/
Audio (AU): (file)
Noun
full circle (plural full circles)
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see full, circle.
- (geometry) An arc of 360 degrees.
- 2007, Carolyn C. Wheater, Geometry, page 193:
- Arcs are measured in degrees, with 360° in the full circle.
- A full turn back to the original direction or orientation.
- 2006, Jack Dawson, Reflections in a Curved Glass, page 31:
- He cackled confidentially, like he knew more than he was telling, then threw his head back and crowed once and strutted in a full circle like a rumpled old rooster.
- By extension, of a discussion, a point arrived at which is the same point at which it began; the point at which effort has resulted in no progress.
Usage notes
In geometry, a full circle is properly an arc of 360°, but informally it may be used to refer to the angle measure subtending that arc.
Synonyms
- (geometry): perigon
- (full turn): revolution, rotation
Translations
(geometry) arc of 360 degrees
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full turn back to the original direction or orientation
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Adverb
full circle (not comparable)
- Through a rotation or revolution that ends at the starting point.
- 1983, Dorothy Koster Washburn, Structure and Cognition in Art, page 138:
- Thus, patterns whose parts move about a point axis are called finite, because eventually the parts will move full circle to superimpose upon the original starting point […]
- (idiomatic) Through a cycle of transition, returning to where one started after gaining experience or exploring other things.
- 2001, Peter M. Coan, Taxi: The Harry Chapin Story, page 139:
- He'd begin with a premise and wrap it up at the end, full circle, the moral of the story hanging on the last word of the last line.
- 2012, John Schuster, Descartes-Agonistes: Physcio-mathematics, Method & Corpuscular Mechanism 1618-33, page 213:
- This therefore marks our return full circle to the optical proofs in the Diotprique with which our detective work began.
Derived terms
Translations
through a rotation or revolution that ends at the starting point
(idiomatic) through a cycle of transition, returning to where one started