orbicular
adjEtymology From orbicula + -ar.
1
Biology, Entomology, Natural sciences Pertaining to an orbicula.
orbicular
adjUK /ɔːˈbɪk.jə.lə/ · US /ɔɹˈbɪk.ju.lɚ/
Etymology From the Late Latin orbiculāris, from Latin orbiculus, diminutive of orbis (“orb”).
1
Circular or spherical in shape; round.
- […] the Method used by Sailors when they mutiny, by signing their names in an orbicular manner, which they call a round Robin; […]1731 The Gentleman's Magazine, Weekly Essays in June 1731, Craftman, Sat. June 5, No. 257, p. 238
- The whole covey of victims was thus netted; the household ruin was thus full and orbicular; and in that proportion the tendency of men and women, flutter as they might, would be helplessly and hopelessly to sink into the all-conquering hands of the mighty murderer.1854, Thomas De Quincey, “On Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts. Postscript.”, in Miscellanies (De Quincey’s Works; IV), London: James Hogg & Sons, →OCLC, page 76:
- Derived terms
- hemiorbicular, orbicular stigma, semiorbicular, suborbicular
- Related terms
- orb, orbicularly, orbicularity