circuit

/'sə:kit/

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The word "circuit" is a noun that has several meanings, but it generally refers to a circular route or journey. Let's break it down in a way that's easy to understand.

Basic Definition:

1. Movement Around a Course: A circuit can mean making a complete trip around a specific path or area. For example, if you're walking around a park, you are making a circuit of the park.

2. Racetrack: In racing, a circuit refers to a track where car races take place. For example, "He won the race on the local circuit."

3. Judicial Division: In law, a circuit can refer to a division of courts in a state where judges travel to hold court in different locations. For example, "The judge is part of the 9th Circuit."

4. Boundary Line: It can also mean the outer boundary of a place. For example, "He walked the full circuit of his property."

5. Established Itinerary: In certain contexts, a circuit may refer to a planned route of events or venues, like a music tour. For example, "She is well-known on the lecture circuit."

6. Electrical Device: In electronics, a circuit is a pathway that allows electrical current to flow. For example, "The light bulb is part of an electrical circuit."

Example Sentences:

• Movement: "We took a quick circuit of the park after lunch."
• Racetrack: "The cars raced around the circuit at high speeds."
• Judicial: "The judge travels to different towns in his circuit."
• Boundary: "They walked the circuit of the lake."
• Itinerary: "He is currently on the comedy circuit."
• Electrical: "The circuit was broken, so the lights went out."

Advanced Usage:

• Circuit Training: This term refers to a type of physical training that involves a series of exercises performed in rotation.
• Circuit Board: In electronics, this is a board that connects different electronic components.

Word Variants:

• Circuitous (adjective): Referring to a route that is roundabout or not direct. For example, "They took a circuitous route to avoid traffic."
• Circuitry (noun): Refers to the electrical circuits in a device.

Different Meanings:

• In addition to the physical and legal meanings, "circuit" can also refer to metaphorical routes, such as social circles, like the "art circuit" or "fashion circuit."

Synonyms:

• Route
• Path
• Loop
• Tour
• Pathway

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Go around in circles": This means to keep doing something without making any progress, similar to making a circuit but not achieving a goal.
• "Circuit back": To return to a previous point or topic in conversation.

Usage Tips:

• When using "circuit," consider the context. Are you discussing a physical route, legal matters, or electrical components? This will help clarify your meaning.
• Use "circuit" as both a noun and a verb, but remember that as a verb, it usually appears in a more technical or specific context.

Academic

Noun

1. movement once around a course
   • he drove an extra lap just for insurance
2. a racetrack for automobile races
3. (law) a judicial division of a state or the United States (so-called because originally judges traveled and held court in different locations); one of the twelve groups of states in the United States that is covered by a particular circuit court of appeals
4. the boundary line encompassing an area or object
   • he had walked the full circumference of his land
   • a danger to all races over the whole circumference of the globe
5. an established itinerary of venues or events that a particular group of people travel to
   • she's a familiar name on the club circuit
   • on the lecture circuit
   • the judge makes a circuit of the courts in his district
   • the international tennis circuit
6. a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
   • they took an extended tour of Europe
   • we took a quick circuit of the park
   • a ten-day coach circuit of the island
7. an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

Verb

1. make a circuit
   • They were circuiting about the state

Synonyms

• lap
• circle
• racing circuit
• circumference
• tour
• electrical circuit
• electric circuit