circularity
circularity — 名詞
1. a problem in an argument or explanation in which the conclusion that you want to
循環論證
論點回到起點的非邏輯謬誤
a problem in an argument or explanation in which the conclusion that you want to prove is already present in the starting point, so no real evidence or new information is introduced
The judge saw a clear circularity in the lawyer's argument — it proved nothing new.
法官在律師的論點中清楚看到了循環論證——它沒有證明任何新東西。
uncountable: circularity in [someone's] argument
Yasmin's essay pointed out that the theory's circularity made it impossible to test.
Yasmin 的文章指出，該理論的循環論證使其無法驗證。
pattern: [possessive] circularity
Professor Hugo showed how the journalist's argument suffered from circularity — it used the claim itself as proof of the claim.
Hugo 教授指出那名記者的論證存在循環論證——它用主張本身來證明該主張。
Elena noticed the circularity in the committee's report, which assumed the very policy it was supposed to evaluate.
Elena 注意到那份委員會報告中的循環論證——它假設了它理應評估的政策本身。
To avoid circularity, Chiara based her argument on test results rather than on the assumption she was trying to prove.
為了避免循環論證，Chiara 將論點建立在測試結果上，而非她試圖證明的那個假設上。
- tautology
more specific — a statement that is true by definition but says nothing new; circularity is the broader structure of which tautology can be a part
- vicious circle
more concrete — refers to a chain of events where solving one problem creates another, rather than a logical flaw in reasoning
- self-reference
broader — not necessarily flawed; self-reference can be valid (e.g. 'This sentence is in English.') while circularity is always a defect
- linear reasoning
a style of argument that moves step by step towards a conclusion without returning to the starting point
- empirical support
evidence drawn from observation or experiment, which is the opposite of the self-contained nature of a circular argument
用法筆記
Frequently used in academic or formal writing about logic, philosophy, and argumentation. The noun is uncountable in ordinary use; in very technical or logic-specific writing the countable form 'a circularity' is sometimes used to refer to one specific instance of the flaw.
常見錯誤
2. a measure of how completely round something is; how closely an object's shape ma
正圓度
物體呈正圓形狀的特性
a measure of how completely round something is; how closely an object's shape matches that of a perfect circle
The engineer checked the circularity of each metal ring before using it in the assembly.
工程師在組裝前檢查了每個金屬環的正圓度。
pattern: check/test/measure the circularity of [object]
Kenji used a digital gauge to measure the circularity of the ceramic bowl.
Kenji 用數位量規測量了陶瓷碗的正圓度。
The quality inspector checked the circularity of each pipe flange before signing off on the shipment.
品管檢查員在出貨簽核前檢查了每個管法蘭的正圓度。
Nila was impressed by the near-perfect circularity of the handmade plates.
Nila 對這些手工盤子近乎完美的正圓度印象深刻。
Laser tools can test a ball bearing's circularity to within a thousandth of a millimetre.
雷射工具可以測試滾珠軸承的正圓度，誤差範圍在千分之一毫米內。
- roundness
less technical and more general; 'roundness' can describe shapes that are not perfectly circular (e.g. an egg), while 'circularity' usually implies an exact circle
- rotundity
formal or humorous — more often used for three-dimensional roundness or plumpness, not engineering precision
- sphericity
for three-dimensional objects (balls/spheres), not for flat circles
- distortion
a deviation from the intended round shape, often used in manufacturing
- ellipticity
the quality of being oval rather than circular, used in geometry and astronomy
用法筆記
Common in engineering, manufacturing, and technical drawing. The noun can be used with a precise measurement: 'a circularity of 0.02 mm' means the object deviates from a perfect circle by at most 0.02 millimetres.