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

See Examples For:

small circle

In other countries, Mr. Mandelbaum writes, “a small circle of officials” tend to dominate foreign relations, paying scant heed to “what the people of the country have thought or wanted.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Apart from her, only a small circle knows where he will be even two hours ahead.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

The Justice Department says that Van Dyke “participated in the planning and execution of the U.S. military operation,” leaving him in the small circle of humans who could blow the secret.

From Slate ● Apr. 24, 2026

The source said they were not part of that small circle.

From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026

He had to delegate authority to a small circle of trusted manhunters, including Lieutenant Lafayette Baker, newly arrived from New York.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson