n. [ See Circumvolve. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of rolling round; the state of being rolled. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A thing rolled round another. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A roundabout procedure; a circumlocution. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had neither time nor temper for sentimental circumvolutions. Beaconsfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious. ] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

the plain Billingsgate way of calling names . . . would save abundance of time lost by circumlocution. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Circumlocution office, a term of ridicule for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to, or consisting of, circumlocutions; periphrastic; circuitous. [ 1913 Webster ]