Circumference, n.
Etymology: [L. circumferentia.]
1. The line that goes round or encompasses a circular figure; a periphery. Millon.
2. A circle; anything circular. His ponderous shield . . . Behind him cast. The broad circumference Hung on his shoulders like the moon. Milton.
3. The external surface of a sphere, or of any orbicular body.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Circumference, v. t.
To include in a circular space; to bound. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists circumference only as an antonym, under center.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given