small circle

noun

1. a circle on a sphere, the plane of which does not pass through the center of the sphere. Compare great circle ( def 1 ).

small circle

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of small circle¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

So Lopez did what any enterprising Gen Zer does when faced with an irksome problem, the solution to which might be a boon for those well beyond her small circle.

From Ozy

I don’t think there was any major caution encouraged as far as going out or as you’re traveling, like continuing to really be vigilant and stay within a small circle of people.

From Washington Blade

These contacts are rarely shared outside a small circle, and my family is lucky enough to have three, whose exquisite bebincas have reliably made their way to my Mumbai home for the last 13 years.

From Eater

Decisions were made between Silbermann and a small circle—all men—in private sidebars, causing organizational chaos.

From Time

Lisa Howze said she was shown the pressure ulcer, and it was just a small circle on her mother’s bottom.

From ProPublica

The vessel, sealed and signed, was put up for auction before a small circle of artists and collectors when he returned to Beijing.

From The Daily Beast

At school and in college other students shunned me and my small circle of friends.

From The Daily Beast

There's a small circle that intersects, but that intersection is fairly small.

From The Daily Beast

It is where Bernie had his small circle of friends, particularly Robert Jaffe, solicit people for his fraudulent funds.

From The Daily Beast

But the family, that shuts itself within its own small circle, betrays its God-appointed function.

From Project Gutenberg

For the reader very probably, as for most people outside a comparatively small circle, it meant my emergence from obscurity.

From Project Gutenberg

It has a small circle and a dot in the center, around which circle the arms of the Swastika are interlaced.

From Project Gutenberg

In the center of the hub is the small circle and dot which might represent the axle on which the machine revolved.

From Project Gutenberg

It started in a very small circle, extending thence in ever-widening ripples.

From Project Gutenberg