资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Circuit \Cir"cuit\, n. [F. circuit, fr. L. circuitus, fr.
   circuire or circumire to go around; circum around + ire to
   go.]
   1. The act of moving or revolving around, or as in a circle
      or orbit; a revolution; as, the periodical circuit of the
      earth round the sun. --Watts.

   2. The circumference of, or distance round, any space; the
      measure of a line round an area.

            The circuit or compass of Ireland is 1,800 miles.
                                                  --J. Stow.

   3. That which encircles anything, as a ring or crown.

            The golden circuit on my head.        --Shak.

   4. The space inclosed within a circle, or within limits.

            A circuit wide inclosed with goodliest trees.
                                                  --Milton.

   5. A regular or appointed journeying from place to place in
      the exercise of one's calling, as of a judge, or a
      preacher.

   6.
      (a) (Law) A certain division of a state or country,
          established by law for a judge or judges to visit, for
          the administration of justice. --Bouvier.
      (b) (Methodist Church) A district in which an itinerant
          preacher labors.

   7. Circumlocution. [Obs.] ``Thou hast used no circuit of
      words.'' --Huloet.

   {Circuit court} (Law), a court which sits successively in
      different places in its circuit (see {Circuit}, 6). In the
      United States, the federal circuit courts are commonly
      presided over by a judge of the supreme court, or a
      special circuit judge, together with the judge of the
      district court. They have jurisdiction within statutory
      limits, both in law and equity, in matters of federal
      cognizance. Some of the individual States also have
      circuit courts, which have general statutory jurisdiction
      of the same class, in matters of State cognizance.

   {Circuit or Circuity} {of action} (Law), a longer course of
      proceedings than is necessary to attain the object in
      view.

   {To make a circuit}, to go around; to go a roundabout way.

   {Voltaic or Galvanic} {circuit or circle}, a continous
      electrical communication between the two poles of a
      battery; an arrangement of voltaic elements or couples
      with proper conductors, by which a continuous current of
      electricity is established.