Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Circule, v. [Chiefly in p.p. circulit, -yt, sirculit, ME. circulit (1430); also e.m.E. circule v., F. circuler, L. circulāre.]

1. tr. a. To encompass, enclose, surround. Usu. in p.p. and constr. with. c1420 Wynt. i. 537 (C).
Paradys, The quhilk is circulit all about With wallis of fyre c1450-2 Howlat 342.
The burde … Circulit on ilk syde with the sapheir Ib. 514.
So was he war than of ane wy him allane … Circulit with Sarazenis a1500 Rauf C. 677.
Dosouris … Circulit with siluer semely to sene c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 98.
On feild of gold he stude … With flour delycis sirculit lustely 1531 Bell. Boece II. 32.
He … circulit mekil land with the samin [thongs] 1533 Ib. Livy I. 151/4.
Porsena … commandit … this Mutius to be circulit with maist rageand flammes 1535 Stewart 36638.
Of armit men ane rout In gude ordour hes circulit thame about 1553 Carte Northberwic 68.
Ane cowp of masar tre … circulit about the lippis vytht siluer 1593 Edinb. Test. XXV. 148.
Ane siluer pece … nine futit & circulit with siluer

b. To go round (a place). 1513 Doug. v. ii. 88.
A gret eddir … Circulyt the tumbe about sweitly and evyn Ib. v. xii. 168; etc.
Eneas with a pleuch The cite circulit

c. To place round in a circle. 1513 Doug. vi. viii. 21.
Onto Eneas left syde … The sawlys flokkis, circulyt in a rowt Ib. x. v. 22.
Thai … all in carralyng About hys schyp went circulyt in a ryng 1533 Bell. Livy I. 53/21.
Behald first with quhat … pussance, the Hethruschis lyis circulit about ws 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 194.
[They] consentit to big … the haill sloppis in the park dyke circulit about Arthour Sett

2. intr. To go round, to travel in a circle. 1513 Doug. iv. xi. 47.
O thou bright son, … circuland about Ib. v. x. 56 (Sm).
Eftir thay had al circulit in ane ring

3. tr. To make round or circular. c1450-2 Howlat 333.
Spar halkis, … With eyne celestiale to se, circulit as saphiris