Circle vs. Spiral — What's the Difference?

A circle is a shape consisting of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the centre; equivalently it is the curve traced out by a point that moves in a plane so that its distance from a given point is constant. The distance between any point of the circle and the centre is called the radius.

In mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a point, moving farther away as it revolves around the point.

A round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the centre)

A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.

A group of people with a shared profession, interests, or acquaintances

A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a constant or continuously varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; a helix.

Move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once

Something having the form of such a curve

A plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixed point, the center.

(Printing) A spiral binding.

A planar region bounded by a circle.

The course or flight path of an object rotating on its longitudinal axis.

Something, such as a ring, shaped like such a plane curve.

A continuously accelerating increase or decrease

A circular or nearly circular course, circuit, or orbit:a satellite's circle around the earth.

Of or resembling a spiral.

A traffic circle.

Circling around a center at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance.

A series or process that finishes at its starting point or continuously repeats itself; a cycle.

Coiling around an axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

A group of people sharing an interest, activity, or achievement:well-known in artistic circles.

(Printing) Relating to or having a spiral binding

A territorial or administrative division, especially of a province, in some European countries.

To take a spiral form or course.

A sphere of influence or interest; domain.

To rise or fall with steady acceleration.

(Logic)A vicious circle.

To cause to take a spiral form or course.

To make or form a circle around:The hedge circles the fountain.

(geometry) A curve that is the locus of a point that rotates about a fixed point while continuously increasing its distance from that point. Category:en:Curves

To move in a circle around:The ship circled the island.

(informal) A helix.

To move in a circle.

A self-sustaining process with a lot of momentum involved, so it is difficult to accelerate or stop it at once.

(geometry) A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center).

(rail) A section of track that forms a circle and crosses over itself, used for gaining height in mountainous territory.

A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point.

Helical, like a spiral.

Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures.

(intransitive) To move along the path of a spiral or helix.

Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures.

(transitive) To cause something to spiral.

A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle.

To increase continually.

A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest.

Winding or circling round a center or pole and gradually receding from it; as, the spiral curve of a watch spring.

The orbit of an astronomical body.

Winding round a cylinder or imaginary axis, and at the same time rising or advancing forward; winding like the thread of a screw; helical.

(cricket) A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match.

Of or pertaining to a spiral; like a spiral.

(Wicca) A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship.

A plane curve, not reëntrant, described by a point, called the generatrix, moving along a straight line according to a mathematical law, while the line is revolving about a fixed point called the pole. Cf. Helix.

A traffic circle or roundabout.

Anything which has a spiral form, as a spiral shell.

(obsolete) Compass; circuit; enclosure.

A plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at ever-greater distances from it

(astronomy) An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle.

A curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle

A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.

Ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center

(logic) A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.

A structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops;

Indirect form of words; circumlocution.

Flying downward in a helical path with a large radius

A territorial division or district.

To wind or move in a spiral course;

(in the plural) A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep.

Form a spiral;

(transitive) To travel around along a curved path.

Move in a spiral or zigzag course

(transitive) To surround.

In the shape of a coil

(transitive) To place or mark a circle around.

(intransitive) To travel in circles.

A plane figure, bounded by a single curve line called its circumference, every part of which is equally distant from a point within it, called the center.

The line that bounds such a figure; a circumference; a ring.

An instrument of observation, the graduated limb of which consists of an entire circle.

A round body; a sphere; an orb.

Compass; circuit; inclosure.

A company assembled, or conceived to assemble, about a central point of interest, or bound by a common tie; a class or division of society; a coterie; a set.

A circular group of persons; a ring.

A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself.

A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning.

Indirect form of words; circumlocution.

A territorial division or district.

To move around; to revolve around.

To encompass, as by a circle; to surround; to inclose; to encircle.

To move circularly; to form a circle; to circulate.

Ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point;

An unofficial association of people or groups;

Something approximating the shape of a circle;

Movement once around a course;

A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island;

Street names for flunitrazepan

A curved section or tier of seats in a hall or theater or opera house; usually the first tier above the orchestra;

Any circular or rotating mechanism;

Travel around something;

Move in circles

Be around;

Form a circle around;