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
Famous quotes containing the words examples of, examples, narrowly, circular and/or definitions:
“It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold people’s attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.”
—G.C. (Georg Christoph)
“In the examples that I here bring in of what I have [read], heard, done or said, I have refrained from daring to alter even the smallest and most indifferent circumstances. My conscience falsifies not an iota; for my knowledge I cannot answer.”
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)
“The greatest pleasures are only narrowly separated from disgust.”
—Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.)
“If one doubts whether Grecian valor and patriotism are not a fiction of the poets, he may go to Athens and see still upon the walls of the temple of Minerva the circular marks made by the shields taken from the enemy in the Persian war, which were suspended there. We have not far to seek for living and unquestionable evidence. The very dust takes shape and confirms some story which we had read.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Lord Byron is an exceedingly interesting person, and as such is it not to be regretted that he is a slave to the vilest and most vulgar prejudices, and as mad as the winds?
There have been many definitions of beauty in art. What is it? Beauty is what the untrained eyes consider abominable.”
—Edmond De Goncourt (1822–1896)