circumvolations

Noun

circumvolation (countable and uncountable, plural circumvolations)

1. (archaic) The act of flying round.
   • It has already been shown that, in the popular game of "the flyers," a high pole surmounted by one man served as the pivot for the circumvolation of the four performers, who "acted" the "flight of time."1901, Zelia Nuttall, The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations, page 58
2. (archaic) The act of surrounding with a military force; the creation of a cordon.
   • [N]everthelesse, to make the blockinge of it more easie, for there is no waie better to block upp a place then by approaching it soe nigh as may bee (especiallie, when an enemie is not expected that cann releive it by force), for the nigher you approche unto it, the narrower is the circumvolation...1627 October 12, Charles Dalton, quoting Edward Cecil, Life and Times of General Sir Edward Cecil, published 1885, page 277
3. (archaic) Circulation; the act of moving around something.
   • When by her Unalterable Circumvolation, ſhe had ſupply'd the Defects and Weakneſs of the Liquor; and made moſt of the Company Drunk and Giddy with obſerving the Nimbleneſs of her Tail; which, according to the Knife Grinders Song, rand Round and around, and a-round-a, ſhe gave a Stamp with her Foot...1718, Edward Ward, The London-spy Compleat, page 259
4. (archaic, figuratively) Vacillation; the act of changing one's mind repeatedly.
   • The most unhappy Circumstance in our Protestant Priesthood of this Church, that is obnoxious to Laughter, is our Tergiversation and Circumvolation with every Wind of Doctrine, as it must be confess'd that we can stand fast to no Point long.1722, Thomas Woolston, Works, page 67