Webster's English Dictionary

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circumference

cir.cum.fer.ence \s*(r)-'k*m(p)-f*rn(t)s, -f(*-)r*n(t)s\ 
   \-.k*m(p)-f*-'ren-ch*l\ n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L circumferentia, fr. 
   circumferre to carry around,] fr. circum- + ferre to carry - more at BEAR 
   1: the perimeter of a circle  2: the external boundary or surface of a 
   figure or object : PERIPHERY)M, COMPASS mean a continuous line enclosing an 
   area. CIRCUMFERENCE and PERIMETER apply to the line enclosing a circle or 
   ellipse and therefore also to the closed curve marking the section of a 
   sphere or cylinder; PERIMETER applies additionally to the bounding line of 
   any area or the bounding surface of a solid; PERIPHERY applies to the 
   circular area lying near the actual bordering line of an area regarded as 
   approximately round; CIRCUIT applies to a journey or route around a 
   periphery or, broadly, to any path that returns to its starting point; 
   COMPASS applies to the range or extent of the area enclosed by a circle or 
   figuratively to the field or aggregate embraced by any general principle - 
   cir.cum.fer.en.tial aj SYN syn CIRCUMFERENCE, PERIMETER, PERIPHERY, CIRCUIT