orbicular

[awr-bik-yuh-ler]

adjective

1. like an orb; ringlike; circular; spherical; rounded.

orbicular

/ ɔːˈbɪkjʊlə, ɔːˌbɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. circular or spherical

2. (of a leaf or similar flat part) circular or nearly circular

3. rare,  rounded or total

Other Word Forms

• orbicularity noun
• orbicularness noun
• orbicularly adverb
• suborbicular adjective
• suborbicularly adverb
• suborbicularity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of orbicular¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English orbiculer, from Old French orbiculaire and Late Latin orbiculāris “circular, spherical,” equivalent to Latin orbi(s) “disk” + -cul(us) diminutive suffix + -āris; orb, -cule ¹, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

It is — I’m not sure I’m going to pronounce this right — an orbicular batfish, related to spadefish that you can find on the East Coast.

From Washington Post

Shell ovate, smooth, obscure sea green; outer lip above immarginate; inner lip broad, flat; perforations numerous, very small, orbicular and smooth.

From Project Gutenberg

Flower coriaceous, mostly orbicular or ovate, flat on the inner side, convex on the outer.

From Project Gutenberg

The eggs of this shell, contained in a transparent orbicular nidus, the size of a turtle's egg, were found thrown up on the sea-beach of the island.

From Project Gutenberg

Sepals.—Two; orbicular; thin; papery; two to four lines across; whitish; equaling the petals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bulbous 
• curled www.thesaurus.com
• curved www.thesaurus.com
• cylindrical 
• elliptical 
• oval 
• rounded 
• spherical