Also -giration. [sb. of action f. prec.: see -ATION.]
1. The act of turning round as a wheel; rotation, revolution on an axis.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1198. A certaine turbulent and irregular circumgiration.
1635. N. Carpenter, Geog. Del., I. iv. 75. This circumgyration of the Earth causeth the rising and setting of the Sunne.
1794–6. E. Darwin, Zoon. (1801), I. 336. The apparent circumgyration of objects on ceasing to revolve.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg. (1855), III. 304. In terrible circumgyration they go.
b. Giddiness, vertigo. ? Obs. rare.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Circumgyration … a turning or wheeling round about, a dizziness. Howell in Lustra Ludovici [1646].
1881. Syd. Soc. Lex., Circumgyration … Also, a term for giddiness.
2. Moving in a circular or circuitous course; circling, wheeling, turning about, travelling round.
1607. Dekker, Knt.’s Conjur. (1842), 61. Acheron (after many circumgirations) fals into the Stigian Lake.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., III. 159. Magnetical Bodies, whose exspirations … return in Circumgyrations to their Bodies again.
1847. De Quincey, Secret Soc., Wks. VII. 270. After endless circumgyrations, never nearer to any opening.
† b. Circuit. Obs.
1651. Howell, Venice, 30. Zant … hath about 60. miles in circumgyration.
3. fig.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, II. I. 117. No Rhetorical flourishes, no circumgiration of words.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., VII. XVII. ii. 21. A total circumgyration, summerset, or tumble heels-over-head in the Political relations of Europe.
1879. McCarthy, Own Times, II. 207. Harley once described a famous speech as ‘a circumgyration of incoherent words.’
4. Convolution, contortion.
1843. J. Wilkinson, Swedenborg’s Anim. Kingd., I. v. 168. The circumgyration of the intestines is apparently so erratic and confused.
