small circle

American  

noun

1. a circle on a sphere, the plane of which does not pass through the center of the sphere.

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small circle British  

noun

1. a circular section of a sphere that does not contain the centre of the sphere Compare great circle

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Etymology

Origin of small circle

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

He expected the episode would be “a huge shock for people” who are fans of the show, with only a small circle of “NCIS”-related folks in the loop before Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times

The defender still has a small circle of close friends from his native Binfield, where it all started in Slough, and has returned to the village in each of the past three summers to hand out trophies and medals at the annual junior football tournament he once played in.

From BBC

At age 39, Jordan joins a small circle of Black actors who have won the prestigious best actor Oscar, after Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith.

From Barron's

He is fond of reminding reporters that he prefers to keep his intentions to himself and a small circle of insiders to avoid potential adversaries knowing his next moves.

From BBC

So he joins a slim minority in accusing Rinna, Underwood’s favored Traitor candidate – and the right suspect, finally – risking his trusted place among the small circle of the guilty.

From Salon