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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Cyclic \Cyc"lic\ (s?k"l?k or s?"kl?k), Cyclical \Cyc"lic*al\
(s?k"l?-kal), a. [Cf. F. cycluque, Gr. kykliko`s, fr. ky`klos
See {Cycle}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a cycle or circle; moving in cycles;
as, cyclical time. --Coleridge.
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2. (Chemistry) Having atoms bonded to form a ring structure.
Opposite of {acyclic}.

Note: Used most commonly in respect to organic compounds.

Note: [Narrower terms: {bicyclic}; {heterocyclic};
{homocyclic, isocyclic}]

Syn: closed-chain, closed-ring.
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3. Recurring in cycles[2]; having a pattern that repeats at
approximately equal intervals; periodic. Opposite of
{noncyclic}.

Note: [Narrower terms: {alternate(prenominal),
alternating(prenominal)}; {alternate(prenominal), every
other(prenominal), every second(prenominal)};
{alternating(prenominal), oscillating(prenominal)};
{biyearly}; {circadian exhibiting 24-hour
periodicity)}; {circular}; {daily, diurnal};
{fortnightly, biweekly}; {hourly}; {midweek,
midweekly}; {seasonal}; {semestral, semestrial};
{semiannual, biannual, biyearly}; {semiweekly,
biweekly}; {weekly}; {annual, yearly}; {biennial};
{bimonthly, bimestrial}; {half-hourly}; {half-yearly};
{monthly}; {tertian, alternate(prenominal)};
{triennial}]
[WordNet 1.5]

4. Marked by repeated cycles[2].
[WordNet 1.5]

{Cyclic chorus}, the chorus which performed the songs and
dances of the dithyrambic odes at Athens, dancing round
the altar of Bacchus in a circle.

{Cyclic poets}, certain epic poets who followed Homer, and
wrote merely on the Trojan war and its heroes; -- so
called because keeping within the circle of a single
subject. Also, any series or coterie of poets writing on
one subject. --Milman.
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Circular \Cir"cu*lar\, a. [L. circularis, fr. circulus circle:
cf. F. circulaire. See {Circle}.]
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1. In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round.
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2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point
of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular
reasoning.
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3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence,
mean; inferior. See {Cyclic poets}, under {Cyclic}.
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Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered
to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?
--Dennis.
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4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a
common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation;
as, a circular letter.
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A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless
circular throughout England. --Hallam.
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5. Perfect; complete. [Obs.]
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A man so absolute and circular
In all those wished-for rarities that may take
A virgin captive. --Massinger.
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{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}.
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Circular \Cir"cu*lar\, n. [Cf. (for sense 1) F. circulaire,
lettre circulaire. See {Circular}, a.]
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1. A circular letter, or paper, usually printed, copies of
which are addressed or given to various persons; as, a
business circular.
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2. A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.
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