circumference

views updated Jun 08 2018

cir·cum·fer·ence / sərˈkəmf(ə)rəns/ (abbr.: cir., circ., or circum.) • n. the enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, esp. a circle. ∎ the distance around something. ∎ the edge or region that entirely surrounds something: petals on the circumference are larger than those in the center.DERIVATIVES: cir·cum·fer·en·tial / sərˌkəmfəˈrenchəl/ adj.cir·cum·fer·en·tial·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

circumference

views updated Jun 08 2018

circumference XIV. — (O)F. circonférence — L. circumferentia; see CIRCUM-, -FEROUS.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

circumference

views updated May 18 2018

circumference Distance round the boundary of a plane geometric figure, nearly always applied to a circle, for which it has the value 2πr, where r is the radius.

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