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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

small circle

Without direct access to the small circle of migrant potters who knew these methods, Tampa Bay residents would have had little opportunity to learn them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

It isn’t happenstance: The 66-year-old is playing a game with analysts, according to people familiar with the matter, and only a small circle inside Bank of America is in on the joke.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 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

Behind a darkened window, Helmuth sits at Oma's kitchen table in a small circle of light.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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