a. [f. CIRCUM- 2 + L. polus POLE; cf. polar.]

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  1.  Astr. Around or about the pole (of the heavens); spec. applied to those stars (or other heavenly bodies) that (in any given latitude) describe the whole of their diurnal circles above the horizon. So circumpolar motion.

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1686.  Phil. Trans., XVI. 214. Some Circumpolar Stars in the same Vertical with the Pole-star. Ibid. (1789), LXXVII. 166. Observations of the sun and circumpolar stars.

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1853.  Sir J. Herschel, Pop. Lect. Sc., iii. (1873), 133. The comet remained long … visible as a circumpolar object.

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1881.  Nature, XXIV. 13. This allows the telescope circumpolar motion.

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  2.  Geog. Round or about either terrestrial pole.

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1696.  Whiston, Th. Earth, IV. (1722), 343. The middle, and their neighbouring Parts … elevated, and the Circumpolar [printed Circumpopular] depress’d.

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1864.  Sat. Rev., 31 Dec., 819/1. The opinion that there exists an Antartic circumpolar continent.

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1880.  Carpenter, in 19th Cent., No. 38. 612. The vast circumpolar area.

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