small circle

American

noun

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

small circle British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of small circle

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

William Abrams of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition detailed in a filing how the present laws had been shaped by the utilities and “a small circle of well-resourced legal and financial actors.”

From Los Angeles Times

More than forty paces ahead, in the small circle of light from the lamppost, a dark figure was standing.

From Literature

Sorraya said Eliza learned to speak up a bit and be more assertive and it also calmed worries about keeping a small circle of friends so she could relax into being part of a wider circle, which has helped with her transition to secondary school.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023