arch. [ad. L. circuitiōn-em a going round, n. of action, f. circuīre; see CIRCUIT: cf. F. circuition.] A going round or about; making of a circuit; compassing, encircling, visitation in circuit.
1533. Bellenden, Livy (1822), 216. The circuicioun and charge [circuitio ac cura], that wes wont to be gevin to the edilis, war gevin to small pepill.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1338. The circuitions, conversions and changes which appeare in the heaven.
1622. R. Preston, Godly Mans Inqvis., ii. 47. Leaue by-wayes and wrie-wayes to nocturnall walkers, perambulations and circuitions to Sathan, that infernall Peripatetike.
1684. Phil. Trans., XIV. 681. The space of a Lunar circuition of the earth.
1855. Bailey, Mystic, 48. Sacred circuition of the sun.
2. fig. Circuitous mode of speech, circumlocution, ‘maze of argument’ (J.).
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 130 a. With a Cynical circuicion or goyng about the bushe.
1603. Harsnet, Pop. Impost., 168. Our Romish deuils, doe giue their answers bare-faced, without any circuition, or æquiuocation at all.
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, I. xiii. 68/2. Adds clause to clause … with all the circuition … of an indenture.
