circuit
circuit — noun
1. a complete path that electricity flows through, made of wires and electronic par
a complete path that electricity flows through, made of wires and electronic parts; or a system of pipes through which a liquid or gas flows in a closed loop.
A short circuit in the kitchen caused the lights to go out.
collocation: short circuit
The electrician checked every circuit in the apartment for loose wires.
This printed circuit board holds the tiny parts that make the phone work.
The heating system uses a closed circuit of hot water pipes.
When you turn on the switch, electricity flows around the entire circuit.
用法筆記
The most common sense in everyday language. 'Short circuit' is a fixed compound noun meaning an unintended connection that stops the normal flow. 'Closed circuit' describes a system where the same material (water, refrigerant) circulates repeatedly.
常見錯誤
2. a path, route, or track that forms a closed loop, returning to its starting poin
a path, route, or track that forms a closed loop, returning to its starting point — used for racing, walking, or driving around a particular area.
The running circuit around the lake is exactly two kilometers long.
collocation: running circuit
Race cars reached speeds of three hundred kilometers per hour on the tight racing circuit.
collocation: racing circuit
The tour bus follows a scenic circuit through mountain villages and back to the hotel.
Runners completed three full circuits of the stadium track before the race ended.
A walking circuit through the botanical garden takes about forty minutes.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (SERIES OF VISITS): this sense refers to a physical path or track, not a schedule of events. A 'circuit' in this sense can be measured in distance (kilometers, laps).
常見錯誤
3. a set of stops at different places that a performer, speaker, or athlete attends
a set of stops at different places that a performer, speaker, or athlete attends in a regular order, moving from one location to the next — for instance, a comedian appearing at clubs nationwide, or a tennis player competing in tournaments internationally.
The comedian spent two years on the club circuit before anyone noticed him.
collocation: on the [noun] circuit
After winning the award, the director joined the international film-festival circuit.
Top tennis players travel the professional circuit for ten months each year.
The lecture circuit keeps visiting professors busy during university holidays.
Fashion models on the European circuit attend shows in Paris, Milan, and London.
文法句型
circuit + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often follows the preposition 'on' (e.g. 'on the comedy circuit', 'on the lecture circuit'). The noun before 'circuit' usually names the type of event or profession.
常見錯誤
4. a geographic area or district that a judge travels to in order to hear legal cas
a geographic area or district that a judge travels to in order to hear legal cases in different courts; also the group of courts within that area.
Judge Okafor presides over the ninth judicial circuit, covering five rural counties.
collocation: judicial circuit
The lawyer has practiced law in this circuit for over twenty years.
A decision from a federal circuit court can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
In the old days, traveling judges on horseback covered a large circuit each season.
The state is divided into three circuits, each with its own courthouse.
- district
a geographic division but without the historical sense of a traveling judge
- jurisdiction
the legal authority of a court, not necessarily tied to a traveling route
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in legal contexts. In the United States, the federal court system is divided into numbered 'circuits' (e.g. the Ninth Circuit), each with a court of appeals.
常見錯誤
circuit — verb
1. to go all the way around a place or area, taking a path that brings you back to
to go all the way around a place or area, taking a path that brings you back to where you started — for example, walking around a lake or driving around a city center and returning to the point of departure.
The tour bus circuits the old town center twice every morning.
transitive: circuit + place
Race cars circuited the track at dangerous speeds during the final lap.
The security guard circuits the factory grounds every hour during his shift.
The parade circuits the town square every year during the festival.
A small ferry circuits the island, stopping at three villages along the way.
文法句型
circuit + noun phrase (object)
用法筆記
A rare and somewhat formal verb. In everyday English, 'go around' or 'travel around' is far more common. The verb is most often found in written descriptions of vehicles or official routes.