circle /ˈsɜːkəl/ CET4 TEM4 ( circling, circled, circles )

• 1. 

  N-COUNT A circle is a shape consisting of a curved line completely surrounding an area. Every part of the line is the same distance from the centre of the area. 圆圈

  例：

  The flag was red, with a large white circle in the centre.

  那面旗子是红色的，中间有一个白色的大圆圈。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT A circle of something is a round, flat piece or area of it. 圆盘状物

  例：

  Cut out 4 circles of pastry.

  切出4块圆形油酥面饼。

• 3. 

  N-COUNT A circle of objects or people is a group of them arranged in the shape of a circle. 圈

  例：

  ...a circle of gigantic stones.

  …一圈巨石。

• 4. 

  N-COUNT You can refer to a group of people as a circle when they meet each other regularly because they are friends or because they belong to the same profession or share the same interests. (相同兴趣、职业等的人形成的) 圈子

  例：

  He has a small circle of friends.

  他有一个小小的朋友圈子。

• 5. 

  V-T/V-I If something circles an object or a place, or circles around it, it forms a circle around it. 环绕

  例：

  This is the road that circles the city.

  这就是那条环城路。

• 6. 

  V-T/V-I If an aircraft or a bird circles or circles something, it moves around in a circle in the air. 围着…转圈; 盘旋

  例：

  The plane circled, awaiting permission to land.

  飞机盘旋着，等待着陆指令。

  例：

  There were two helicopters circling around.

  有两架直升飞机在周围盘旋。

• 7. 

  V-T If you circle something on a piece of paper, you draw a circle around it. 把…圈出来

  例：

  Circle the words on this list that you recognize.

  把这张表上你认识的字圈出来。

• 8. 

  → see also inner circle, vicious circle