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Circular vs Generalize - What's the difference?

circular | generalize |

As an adjective circular

is of or relating to a circle.

As a noun circular

is a printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass distribution; a flyer.

As a verb generalize is

to speak in generalities, or in vague terms.

circular

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to a circle.
  • In the shape of, or moving in a circle.
  • * , chapter=5
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.}}
  • Circuitous or roundabout.
  • Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.
  • circular reasoning
    Your dictionary defines "brave" as "courageous", and "courageous" as "brave". That's a circular definition.
    a circular formula in a spreadsheet
  • Distributed to a large number of persons.
  • * Hallam
  • a proclamation of Henry III., doubtless circular throughout England
  • (obsolete) Perfect; complete.
  • * Massinger
  • A man so absolute and circular / In all those wished-for rarities that may take / A virgin captive.
  • (archaic) Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior.
  • * Dennis
  • Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?

    Derived terms

    * circular file * circularity * circular saw

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass distribution; a flyer
  • In administration, a circular letter
  • (dated) A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.
  • See also

    * advertisement * booklet * brochure * catalogue, catalog * flier, flyer * handbill, hand bill * junk mail * leaflet * pamphlet ----

    generalize

    English

    Alternative forms

    * generalise (non-Oxford British spelling)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To speak in generalities, or in vague terms.
  • To infer or induce from specific cases to more general cases or principles.
  • * W. Nicholson
  • Copernicus generalized' the celestial motions by merely referring them to the moon's motion. Newton ' generalized them still more by referring this last to the motion of a stone through the air.
  • To spread throughout the body and become systemic.
  • To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars.
  • * Coleridge
  • A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.

    Antonyms

    * specialize

    Derived terms

    * generalizable, generalisable * generalizability, generalisability * generalization, generalisation * generalizer, generaliser * generalist