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adj. round·er, round·est 1. a. Being such that every part of the surface or the circumference is equidistant from the center: a round ball. b. Moving in or forming a circle. c. Shaped like a cylinder; cylindrical. d. Rather rounded in shape: the child's round face. e. Full in physique; plump: a round figure. 2. a. Linguistics Formed or articulated with the lips in a rounded shape: a round vowel. b. Full in tone; sonorous. 3. Whole or complete; full: a round dozen. 4. a. Mathematics Having been rounded. b. Not exact, especially when expressed as a multiple of 10; approximate: a round estimate. 5. Large; considerable: a round sum of money. 6. Brought to satisfactory conclusion or completion; finished. 7. a. Outspoken; blunt: a round scolding. b. Done with full force; unrestrained: gave me a round thrashing. n. 1. a. Something, such as a circle, disk, globe, or ring, that is round. b. A circle formed of various things. c. Movement around a circle or about an axis. 2. A rung or crossbar, as one on a ladder or chair. 3. A cut of beef from the part of the thigh between the rump and the shank. 4. An assembly of people; a group. 5. A round dance. 6. a. A complete course, succession, or series: a round of parties; a round of negotiations. b. often rounds A course of customary or prescribed actions, duties, or places: physicians' rounds. 7. A complete range or extent. 8. One drink for each person in a gathering or group: Let me buy the next round. 9. A single outburst, as of applause or cheering. 10. a. A single shot or volley. b. Ammunition for a single shot or volley. 11. A specified number of arrows shot from a specified distance to a target in archery. 12. Sports & Games A unit of play that occupies a specified time, constitutes a certain number of plays, or allows each player a turn, especially the 18-hole sequence played in golf or one of the periods in a boxing match. 13. Music A composition for two or more voices in which each voice enters at a different time with the same melody. v. round·ed, round·ing, rounds v.tr. 1. To make round or curved: rounded his lips in surprise; rounded off the end of the board. 2. Linguistics To pronounce with rounded lips; labialize. 3. To fill out; make plump. 4. To bring to completion or perfection; finish. Often used with out or off: The new dog rounded out our household. The speaker rounded off his lecture with a joke. 5. Mathematics To approximate (a real number) by a nearby rational number with a specified level of precision. When rounded to the nearest hundred, 286 becomes 300. When rounded to the nearest tenth, 1.63 becomes 1.6. 6. a. To make a turn about or to the other side of: rounded a bend in the road. b. To make a complete circuit of; go or pass around: rounded the entire peninsula. 7. Archaic To encompass; surround: v.intr. 1. To become round or curved. 2. To take a circular course; complete or partially complete a circuit: racecars rounding into the final lap. 3. To turn about, as on an axis: rounded and came back across the field. 4. To become filled out or plump. 5. To develop into satisfactory completion or perfection: is rounding into a fine quarterback. adv. 1. In a circular progression or movement; around. 2. With revolutions: wheels moving round. 3. To a specific place or person: called round for the pastor; sent round for the veterinarian. prep. Phrasal Verbs: 1. Around. 2. From the beginning to the end of; throughout: a plant that grows round the year. round on To turn on and assail. round up Idioms: 1. To seek out and bring together; gather. 2. To herd (cattle) together from various places. in the round 1. With the stage in the center of the audience. 2. Fully shaped so as to stand free of a background: a sculpture in the round. make/go the rounds 1. To go from place to place, as on business or for entertainment: a delivery truck making the rounds; students going the rounds in the entertainment district. 2. To be communicated or passed from person to person: The news quickly made the rounds. A piece of juicy gossip is going the rounds. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman rounde, variant of Old French rond, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *retundus, from Latin rotundus; see ret- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] roundness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
tr.v. round·ed, round·ing, rounds Archaic To whisper. [Middle English rounden, from Old English rūnian, from rūn, a secret.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
