Examples of Narrowly Circular Definitions
The 2007 Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a "hill" and a "mountain" this way:
- Hill - "1: a usually rounded natural elevation of land lower than a mountain"
- Mountain - "1a: a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill"
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary provides another example of a circular definition with the words "condescending" and "patronizing:"
- Main Entry: condescending
- Function: adjective
- 1 : showing or characterized by condescension : patronizing
This definition alone is close to suffering from circular definition, but following the definition train:
- Main Entry: condescension
- Function: noun
- 1 : voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
- 2 : patronizing attitude or behavior
Looking up the word "patronizing" then gives us:
- Main Entry: patronize
- Function: transitive verb
- 1 : to act as patron of : provide aid or support for
- 2 : to adopt an air of condescension toward : treat haughtily or coolly
In short: the two words define each other.
Read more about this topic: Circular Definition
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