roundaboutn.adj.

Brit.

/ˈraʊndəbaʊt/, U.S.

/ˈraʊndəˌbaʊt/

Forms: see round about adv. and prep.

Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: round about adv.

Etymology: < round about adv. With the use as noun compare earlier round n.¹

A. n.

†1.

a. gen. Something in the shape of a ring or circle; a circular course or circuit. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > curvature > roundness > [noun] > a circle or ring

rounda1325

circlec1380

rigol1459

roundel1486

rundle1529

roundaboutc1535

circule1549

gyre1590

ringle1598

cirque1677

crinkle1702

circus1748

c1535 in Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum (1825) V. 184/2 There is in the seid close a motte called the round abowte.

1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 221 An iron Flie flew out, Which hauing flowne a perfect Round about,..return'd vnto her Maister.

1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 199 All the round-about of earthly beings.

1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy III. viii. 25 He tied and cross-tied them all fast together..with such a multiplicity of round-abouts and intricate cross-turns.

1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 183 Round-About, the boundary-hedge of a coppice.

b. depreciative. A superfluous piece of circular clothing; spec. = farthingale n. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > contrivance for expanding skirts > hoop

hoop1548

farthingale1552

vardingale1552

roundabouta1555

ferdegewa1556

verdugal1558

guard-infante1670

crinoline1847

tub-hoop1892

a1555 H. Latimer Fruitfull Serm. (1584) f. 280^v Mary had neuer a vardingalle, for she used no such superfluities as our fine damsels doe now adayes: for in the old tyme women were content with honest and single garmentes. Now they haue found out these roundaboutes.

c. Scottish. A circular oatcake or roll. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > pancake, tortilla, or oatcake > [noun] > oatcake

havercakec1400

oatcakec1400

haverbreada1425

cake1434

grue1655

clap-bread1691

roundabout1706

farl1724

tollie1825

teething bannock1866

1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. Scots Poems i. 23 For Rolls, for Nacketts, Roundabouts, Sour Cakes.

1763 J. Boswell Jrnl. 14 Mar. in London Jrnl. (1950) 216 They were..gaein down to Halkerston's Wynd and wigs and roundabouts.

1824 Tournay 31 in J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (1825) (at cited word) Ducholly can—gie ye nackets and round-abouts to your coffee and clarified whey.

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Roundabout, the name said to be given, in Angus, to an oatcake of a circular form, pinched all round with the finger and thumb.

1828 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch iii. 30 Roundabouts, and snaps, brown and white quality.

d. Chiefly Scottish. A circular prehistoric fort or earthwork. Obsolete.

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society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fort or fortified town > [noun] > other types of fort

hendecagon1648

grand1670

etoile1727

vitrified fort1777

roundabout1795

ring fort1846

oppidum1847

sea-fort1879

motte-and-bailey1900

motte castle1912

mote-castle1919

murus gallicus1939

1795 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XV. 84 There are a great many round-abouts in the parish, commonly called Picts Works.

1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 19 A Pict's camp or Round-about.

1882 Handbk. Travellers Berks, Bucks, & Oxfordshire (ed. 3) ii. 131/1 The Camp, locally the ‘Roundabout’, is 140 yds. in diameter.

e. A plump person; a person with a rounded figure. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [noun] > fat or plump shape or physique

pumpkin1680

roundabout1809

middle-aged spread1883

spread1883

1809 W. Combe Schoolmaster's Tour in Poet. Mag. May 8 Her face was red, her form was fat, A round-about, and rather squat.

1862 A. B. Church Measure for Measure II. 33 All the crinoline in the world would not make Amy or Miss Clyde look a round-about like me.

f. Scottish. A roundabout fireplace (see sense B. 5). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > types of fireplace

range1423

Rumford fireplace1799

Rumford1810

roundabout1825

ingle1841

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Roundabout,..a fire-place..in which the grate is detached from the walls, and so placed that persons may sit around it on all sides.

g. U.S. (chiefly New England). = roundabout chair n. at Compounds 2. Obsolete.

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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [noun] > armchair > other armchairs

great chair1749

porter's chair1806

sleepy-hollow chair1820

roundabout1834

Glastonbury chair1853

frowst1905

club chair1919

carver1927

1834 New Eng. Mag. Aug. 144 I have lived to have a study and a roundabout, and have found them naught.

1844 Lowell (Mass.) Offering June 175 Father..[was] installed..in a large flag-bottomed ‘roundabout’ on the opposite side of the fire-place.

a. An indirect statement or expression; a circumlocution; spec. a euphemism.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > periphrasis or circumlocution > a circumlocution

aboutspeecha1522

circumlocution1533

circumquaque1546

fetch-abouta1569

roundabout?c1570

periphrasis1579

compass1623

circumambages1649

circumbendibus1681

roundaboutedness1840

roundaboutility1863

amphilogism1866

?c1570 Buggbears iii. ii, in R. W. Bond Early Plays from Italian (1911) 113 He red me a pistle & told a long round about not worth a whistle.

1673 B. Holyday tr. Flaccus Satyres (rev. ed.) 340/2 Wherefore, not to trouble our selves with these round-abouts, the old and ordinary exposition..seems to me most easie.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. v. 75 I began with my roundabouts, and my suppose's.

1777 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions VI. cxxvi. 58 Unsettle by systems and long-laboured literary roundabouts, the very marrow in the hollow of your bones.

1802 E. Parsons Myst. Visit III. 243 After several roundabouts leading to the subject.

1875 R. Browning Aristophanes' Apol. 148 All my roundabout Ends at beginning, with my own defence.

1951 E. Gowers ABC of Plain Words 17 Availability, this abstract word contributes much to the prevalent habit of preferring abstract roundabouts to direct speech.

1989 H. Rawson Wicked Words 107 The strength of the taboo surrounding this word is indicated by the extraordinary number or euphemisms and verbal roundabouts that have been devised for it.

†b. A devious, shifty person. Obsolete. rare.

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the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > sneakiness > sneaky person > [noun]

snuch1579

sheep-biter?1589

sneaker1598

roundabout1605

sneaka1643

sneaks1653

creepa1876

society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [noun] > dishonesty > dishonest person

shondc725

makeshift1554

roundabout1605

fraudsman1613

trickster1711

bug1785

fly-by-night1796

twister1834

rigger1859

shyster1877

crook1879

heel1914

wide boy1937

1605 N. Breton I pray you be not Angrie in Wks. (1879) II. 8/1 This rascal round-about, without good complexion or good condition.

a. A circuitous or indirect journey; a detour. Now rare.In earliest use in figurative context.

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society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > circuitous journey

windlass1530

meander1631

compass1698

roundabouta1734

circuit1785

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) iii. vi. §10 430 We must be excused for walking the Author's Pace, in all his Round-abouts, though it be out of all known Track of Truth.

1755 G. Washington Writings (1889) I. 152 A very fatiguing ride and long round about, brought me to the General..at Frederick-Town.

1786 W. Cowper Let. 17 Apr. (1981) II. 519 A door..out of our garden..will save the round about by the town.

1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 10 July (1941) 73 I went to Cadell's by the Mound, a long roundabout.

1879 R. Browning Martin Relph 126 The floods were out, he was forced to take such a roundabout of ways!

1911 N. Douglas Siren Land vi. 105 In the breeding season it [sc. a thrush] makes a long roundabout to approach its nest.

b. A tour or excursion which follows a circuitous route. rare.

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society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > tour > types of

the tour1642

grand tour1678

circular tour1860

swing1860

tourette1881

voyage of discovery1890

roundabout1894

Cook's tour1902

conducted1907

conducted tour1907

book tour1939

tour d'horizon1952

1894 Westm. Gaz. 20 Oct. 7/2 The general manager..personally conducted the party on a ‘roundabout’, which took in fifty..miles of the Cambrian Railway.

2004 K. O'Hara Last of Donkey Pilgrims 287 He asked me outright if I had stumbled into Faeryland during my roundabout.

4. Originally and chiefly British.

a. A revolving machine or apparatus on which people (esp. children) may ride for amusement, spec. one in a fairground or playground; = merry-go-round n. 1.to gain on the swings and lose on the roundabouts: see swing n.² 11b.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [noun] > fairground ride > merry-go-round

carousel1673

whimsic chair?c1684

whimsy1684

merry-go-round1729

roundabout1763

turnabout1789

whirligig1816

spin-'em-round1851

go-round1857

whirly-go-round1865

merry-go-around1873

giddy-go-round1879

go-around1888

razzle-dazzle1890

joy-wheel1911

chairoplane1922

whip1925

Noah's Ark1945

waltzer1961

swirl1962

1763 Brit. Mag. 4 50 There was a round-about for children to ride in, and all sorts of toys sold as at other fairs.

1795 C. Este Journey through Flanders 53 There is a round-about as in the apparatus for second childhood at Chantilli.

1813 Sporting Mag. 42 20 There were the usual swings, ups-and-downs and roundabouts.

1874 35th Rep. Prisons in Scotl. 220 A recreation ground is prepared for the warders' children, and fitted with swings, see-saws, and roundabouts.

1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again II. xxi. 320 The great roundabouts, worked by steam, made a fearful clatter.

1934 Manch. Guardian 3 Feb. 13/6 A playground with swings and roundabouts will probably be made upon the western side for the children of Hulme.

1961 M. Bond Paddington Abroad v. 73 There were roundabouts carrying dozens of shrieking, laughing people round and round as they clung to wooden horses.

1998 P. Laverty My Name is Joe 114 (stage direct.) Liam and Brendan play on a children's roundabout. Brendan squeals with delight as Liam burls him round.

2002 Bristol Evening Post (Nexis) 6 Dec. 2 There was a traditional fairground roundabout for youngsters.

b. figurative. A whirl of bustling activity; (also) a repetitive and apparently pointless cycle of something.

ΚΠ

1780 W. Cowper Poems 338 He sees that this great roundabout The world, with all its motley rout..Its customs and its businesses Are no concern at all of his.

1837 Mechanics' Mag. 8 Apr. 24/1 It shows with what a roundabout of futile expedients the public has been deluded.

1886 Current (Chicago) 16 Jan. 37/3 The disorderly roundabout of human imaginations and impressions.

1905 M. Pemberton Mid Thick Arrows xxxvii. 337 Three months had passed since Alice took any part in the social roundabout which serves London for its pleasures.

1985 M. Minden in E. Timms & D. Kelley Unreal City xii. 203 The world is figured as an undifferentiated roundabout of vanity and foolishness.

2002 A. Wright Foreign Country v. 117 The social roundabout continued revolving with as much speed as the first months of war allowed.

†5. A type of round dance (round dance n. 1). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > round dance > [noun] > specific

rayc1450

Sellenger's round1567

miller's round1579

roundelay1589

cushion-dance1607

prinkum-prankuma1635

roundabout1766

pillow dance1811

batuque1820

walkround1861

hora1878

kissing dance1899

maxixe1909

garba1920

raas garba1935

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. ix. 82 Though the Miss Flamboroughs..understood the jig and the round-about to perfection; yet they were totally unacquainted with country dances.

1815 P. Roberts Cambrian Antiq. 46 The Roundabout, or more precisely the Cheshire-round.., is danced by two only.

†6.

a. A tool used by burglars for cutting circular holes. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > burglary > [noun] > instruments used by burglars

tricker1591

mill1607

iron1681

Betty1700

centre-bit1746

rook1788

jemmy1811

roundabout1811

James1819

jimmy1848

stick1848

Jack-in-the-box1850

Jack1862

alderman1872

cane1930

1811 Lexicon Balatronicum Round about, an instrument used in housebreaking. This instrument has not been long in use. It will cut a round piece about five inches in diameter out of a shutter or door.

b. Tanning. A rotating barrel used in the preparation of skins. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for working with skins or leather > [noun] > tan-vat > types of

bark-vatc1440

bark-cobillc1550

handler1771

grainer1813

roundabout1842

rocker1876

suspender1882

lay-away1885

layer pit1901

1842 Penny Mag. Monthly Suppl. May 214/2 The skins are put into a kind of barrel called a ‘roundabout’.

1852 C. Morfit Arts of Tanning, Currying, & Leather-dressing xxxvi. 411 In some places, the tanning process is slightly modified..by the use of a large barrel-churn, or roundabout, which receives both the skins and alum-bath.

a. Chiefly U.S. = roundabout jacket n. at Compounds 2. Now historical.

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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > jacket > short

roundabout1812

spencer1831

Eton jacket1850

Eton1885

bum-perisher1889

bum-shaver1889

perisher1889

bolero1892

bum-freezer1929

bum-starver1930

bum-freezer jacket1943

blouson1958

monkey jacket1968

Harrington1982

1812 Times 28 Dec. 4 Lindsey roundabouts, double or lined, will answer the purpose.

1823 J. F. Cooper Pilot I. vi. 66 The young sailor..slipped his arms into the sleeves of a morning round-about, covered with the trappings of his profession.

1877 E. L. Bynner Nimport vi. 93 She exacted his obedience and reproved his shortcomings..as though he were still in roundabouts.

1912 M. Young Behind dark Pines i. 3 Brer Rabbit been wearin' a round-about ever since.

1998 L. Porter People set Apart 355 The men were issued new clothing—round-abouts (close-fitting jackets) and trousers.

b. New Zealand. A long loose-fitting garment worn by Maori women, originally supplied by European missionaries. Now historical and rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > dress, robe, or gown > types of > loose-fitting

sack1599

slammerkin1729

trollopee1756

Levite1779

roundabout1856

Mother Hubbard1877

Mother Hubbard1883

muumuu1888

caftan1965

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > loose clothing > robe or gown > types of > dressing gown > other

night-rail1552

peignoir1835

shawl dressing-gown1837

roundabout1856

negligée1862

fire-gown1870

bath-robe1902

bath-gown1909

1856 V. Lush Jrnl. 17 Jan. (1971) 176 The whole lot stood quietly looking at us, clothed from top to toe in their long full roundabouts.

1861 R. B. Paul N.Z. 17 [The Maori women's] usual dress is..a shapeless sack of printed calico, called a ‘roundabout’, tied round the neck but loose at the waist.

1890 P. A. Philips Reminisc. Early Days 7 The hostess did not dress for dinner..her usual attire being a Maori roundabout.

1940 J. Cowan Sir D. Maclean 33 The payment..consisted of..two ‘roundabouts’ (loose brightly coloured blouses for the ladies), and one axe.

8. Originally and chiefly British. A junction of several roads consisting of a central (usually circular) island around which traffic moves in one direction.Vehicular roundabouts developed from large-scale circuses or rond-points in France and America (cf. rond-point n. 1). Typically smaller in size, British roundabouts are sometimes distinguished from similar junctions by the rule in which oncoming traffic must give way to traffic moving around the central island. traffic circle and rotary are the more common terms in America (see traffic circle n. at traffic n. Compounds 2, rotary n. 3)mini-roundabout: see the first element.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > junction of roads, paths, or tracks > [noun] > types of road junction > roundabout

circus1898

rond-point1903

rotonda1908

traffic circle1914

roundabout1926

rotary1940

gyratory1983

modern roundabout1987

1926 Times 27 Apr. 17/5 A protest should be made..against the uncouth, Latinese word ‘gyratory’ to express the new traffic arrangements... Why not use the simple English word ‘round-about’?

1926 Times 02 Nov. 18 (heading) Marble Arch roundabout.

1936 Rotarian Aug. 23/2 There should be twin carriageways, separate cycle tracks, proper paths for pedestrians, roundabouts where necessary, and other adjuncts to safety.

1947 Daily Mail 22 May 3/4 Removal of the Mansion House to make room for a big round-about.

1967 Listener 28 Sept. 398/1 People make only occasional use of their speedometer..on such critical occasions as the approach to roundabouts.

1974 A. Sillery Botswana xv. 162 Ornamental shrubs are growing on the roundabouts and in some of the public spaces.

1991 Constr. Weekly 18 Sept. 10/3 The dual carriageway spine road, which will run from Lawrence Hill roundabout to the A4 Bath Road at Arnos Vale, is the key to Bristol's urban renewal.

2008 P. Worsley Acad. skating on Thin Ice ii. 29 I was sent ahead on my motorbike to guide the convoy round a roundabout.

B. adj.

a. Of a person: engaging in circumlocution; long-winded.In quot. 1608 perhaps: devious, shifty (cf. sense A. 2b).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective]

slipperc1000

hinderc1200

slidderya1250

covert1340

unwrast1393

slyc1440

slippery1555

fetching1570

shifting1581

as slippery as an eel1601

roundabout1608

corner-creeping1610

shuffling1616

prevaricatory1645

prevaricative1657

sliverly1674

whifflinga1680

sneak-pasty1681

slid1719

evasive1725

shauchling1755

shifty1837

slab-bridged1845

sneaky1861

pussy-footed1893

sidewinding1902

slithery1902

pussyfooting1926

1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters ii. sig. B3^v You progressiue round-about Rascall.

a1834 S. T. Coleridge Specimens of Table Talk (1835) I. 18 A rogue is a roundabout fool.

1884 ‘Judge Wiglittle’ 10 Years Police Judge xxi. 187 The roundabout witness..would begin back to a date anterior to the building of the Tower of Babel.

1916 O. S. Marden Selling Things xv. 107 The roundabout talker, the man who prefaces everything with a long introduction,..tires and irritates a busy man.

1999 P. T. O'Conner Words fail Me (2000) xxi. 150 What do these roundabout writers do?.. They pile on jargon or obfuscatory words.

b. Of a statement, expression, etc.: indirect; circumlocutory.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [adjective] > periphrastic or circumlocutory

ambagious?1532

periphrasticala1638

circumlatory1639

ambagical1652

ambitious1656

circumlocutory1659

roundabout1704

periphrastic1776

ambagitory1814

circumambagious1834

ambaginous1838

circumambulatory1842

circumlocutionary1863

circumlocutional1865

1704 I. Sharpe Animadversions other Passages 3 Without long—roundabout—Addresses, the match was soon struck up.

1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote I. iv. xv. 331 I would not willingly disclose myself of a sudden, but, prepare him by some round-about insinuation.

1861 T. A. Trollope La Beata I. ix. 254 Before the old wax-chandler had got a quarter through his hints and roundabout explanations.

1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. vi. 105 The savage..will use all sorts of roundabout phrases to avoid saying it.

1902 Australasian Med. Gaz. 21 July 355/1 The endless round-about sayings of patients may be swept away in an hour's personal intercourse.

1986 J. Gilbert Cycle of Outrage viii. 135 He summarized his views in a curiously negative and roundabout sentence.

2004 New Yorker 1 Mar. 61/1 East Asians are ‘wagon turners’ (a roundabout reference to Indians by way of American Indians).

2. Indirect, circuitous; not following a straight course.

a. Of a path, route, or journey.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [adjective] > circuitous

roundabout1684

society > travel > means of travel > route or way > [adjective] > indirect

abouta1460

indirect1474

devious1628

far-fetcheda1656

roundabout1684

circumflex1707

ungain1824

circuitous1868

1684 C. Whitaker tr. Flaminius in J. Dryden tr. Plutarch Lives II. 639 There was a Round-about-way which the Enemy neglected to Guard.

1701 J. Norris in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 43 We had a roundabout journey.

1756 J. Wesley Let. 6 Jan. (1931) III. 364 A long, narrow, troublesome, round-about path.

1834 G. P. R. James John Marston Hall I. xi. 134 I informed him, that I..enjoyed a roundabout more than a straightforward track.

1893 F. C. Selous Trav. S.-E. Afr. 56 After a hard day's walk over a very roundabout road.

1925 Woman's World (Chicago) Apr. 59/2 Charity avoided the high road and took a roundabout way through the woods.

1983 C. Ozick Cannibal Galaxy (1984) 8 He followed the roundabout way, tantalized by the beautiful house and its lordly contours.

2002 N. Nicolson Fanny Burney vi. 91 Chance took her by a roundabout route through Liège, Cologne and the Prussian Rhineland.

b. Of a method or procedure.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > indirect action or process > [adjective]

collateralc1374

ambagious?1532

indirect1584

circular1617

squint1619

squinting1648

sidelong1654

circumferentiala1661

circuitous1664

side wind1672

side-winded1696

roundabout1701

side-handed1828

1701 tr. Refl. Present Interests Several Courts Christendom 23 By a hundred Windings and Turnings and roundabout Fetches, adroitly to manage delicate Affairs.

1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxvi. 215 She declared that she would have nothing to do with any round-about ways, but go openly and instantly to law.

1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 241 Why move towards your object in this round-about manner?

1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic vii. 204 The Logicians invented the awkward, roundabout, and operose process which they called Reduction per impossibile.

1926 J. Devanny Butcher Shop i. 18 In a roundabout way the news had come to him that Hortry was shepherding.

1991 Economist 13 July 101/2 ‘Soft’ commissions, the roundabout practice whereby stock brokers charge a commission and then return part of it to their client in kind.

2008 P. Tracey Stalking Irish Madness xvii. 229 Cultural etiquette calls for me to find a roundabout approach.

†3. Complete, thorough; all-round. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > [adjective] > inclusive or comprehensive > inclusive of all

universal1585

roundabouta1704

all-inclusive1817

all in1886

overall1926

a1704 J. Locke Wks. (1724) III. 391 Those who readily and sincerely follow Reason, but for want of having that which one may call large, sound, round about Sense, have not a full view of all that relates to the Question.

1793 Crit. Rev. 8 126 He gave the image in profile, and left the reader to take a round-about view.

4. Of clothing: that goes all the way round; cut in a circle at the bottom so as to have no train or tail. Chiefly in roundabout jacket (see roundabout jacket n. at Compounds 2). Now historical.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > having specific parts > train or tails > not

roundabout1710

trainless1859

round1890

1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 245. ⁋2 Six round-about Aprons with Pockets.

1837 T. E. Hook in New Monthly Mag. 49 468 I hear the rustling of Mrs. Brandyball's roundabout silk gown.

1866 R. D. Blackmore Cradock Nowell III. 4 Amy was..in her simple grey hat and feather, and that roundabout chenille thing which she herself had made.

1960 G. G. Korson Black Rock ii. 45 It [sc. the costume] consisted of a cap, a sailor's roundabout coat, buckskin vest and pants.

5. Chiefly Scottish. Of a fireplace: positioned away from a wall so as to allow people to sit all round. Now historical and rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [adjective] > types of fireplace or grate

back-to-back1626

roundabout1714

grateless1876

fenderless1878

1714 W. Forbes Jrnl. Session 1705–13 136 A Roundabout Fireside for the Conveniency of Servants.

1802 C. Findlater Gen. View Agric. County of Peebles 40 The round-about fire side..was universally in use in the kitchen.

1848 W. H. Ainsworth Lancs. Witches I. ii. v. 375 A round-about fire-place occupied one end of the chamber.

1978 T. Henderson Shetland 142 (caption) A round-about fire in Walls about 1910.

6. Of a person or part of the body: plump; having a rounded figure. Also figurative. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [adjective] > fat or plump

fatc893

frimOE

fullOE

overfatOE

greatOE

bald1297

roundc1300

encorsivea1340

fattishc1369

fleshyc1369

fleshlyc1374

repletea1398

largec1405

corsious1430

corpulentc1440

corsyc1440

fulsome1447

portlyc1487

corporate1509

foggy fata1529

corsive1530

foggish?1537

plump1545

fatty1552

fleshful1552

pubble1566

plum1570

pursy1576

well-fleshed1576

gross?1577

fog1582

forfatted1586

gulchy1598

bouksome1600

fat-fed1607

meatified1607

chuff1609

plumpya1616

bloat1638

blowze-like1647

obese1651

jollya1661

bloated1664

chubbed1674

pluffya1689

puffya1689

pussy1688

sappy1694

crummy1718

chubby1722

fodgel1724

well-padded1737

beefy1743

plumpish1753

pudsy1754

rotund1762

portable1770

lusty1777

roundabout1787

well-cushioned1802

plenitudinous1803

stout1804

embonpointc1806

roly-poly1808

adipose1810

roll-about1815

foggy1817

poddy1823

porky1828

hide-blown1834

tubby1835

stoutish1836

tubbish1836

superfatted1841

pottle-bodied1842

pincushiony1851

opulent1882

well-covered1884

well-upholstered1886

butterball1888

endomorphic1888

tisty-tosty1888

pachyntic1890

barrel-bodied1894

overweight1899

pussy-gutted1906

upholstered1924

1761 Lloyd's Evening Post 25 May 496/3 There goes Mrs. Roundabout, I mean the fat Lady in the lutestring trollopee.]

1787 W. Beckford Jrnl. 13 June in Jrnl. Portugal & Spain (1954) (modernized text) 80 A little roundabout Madeira cousin of D. Margarida's with a snug wig and a silvery waistcoat.

1801 W. Drennan in J. Edkins Coll. Poems by Several Hands 100 It were easy to make her indecent..With a round-about rump.

1840 R. Bremner Excursions Denmark II. 406 The easy round-about men seen in Copenhagen, would excite a smile if seen side by side with these handsome fellows.

1893 B. M. Croker Dâk Bungalow Dakor in To Let 133 The upper tray contained a stout roundabout bag, presumably full of rupees.

1931 S. Kaye-Smith Hist. Susan Spray 3 A pretty little girl, small-boned and graceful, quite an elegant little lady compared with the roundabout redfaced children of the neighbours.

1973 N. Marsh Black as he's Painted i. 17 ‘Good morning,’ said the roundabout lady at the desk.

†7. Of a punch or blow: delivered with a wide swinging of the arm; cf. roundhouse adj. 2a. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > [adjective] > indirect

roundabout1825

1825 Morning Chron. 2 Nov. 3/3 That personage immediately aimed a roundabout blow at Captain Mowll.

1830 E. Bulwer-Lytton Paul Clifford I. vi. 127 That round-about sort of blow with the left fist is very unfavourable towards the preservation of a firm balance.

1887 St. Louis (Missouri) Globe-Democrat 16 Nov. 8/6 To box a man meant..to hit him a swinging or roundabout blow.

†8. Nautical. Of rope: that goes all the way round. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > [adjective]

circumjacent1490

circumstant1545

circumvoisin1548

environing?a1560

encompassing1571

ambient1572

succingent1578

embracing1590

circling1594

girdling1598

circumdant1600

rounding1600

all round?1611

circumferent1620

circumsistent1625

circuiting1632

circulating1632

encircling1632

surrounding1637

begirting1645

circumambient1648

circumstantial1650

girding1658

skirtingc1735

entwining1737

circumadjacent1780

belting1808

engirdling1843

encyclic1850

engirding1852

zoning1853

roundaboutc1860

begirding1877

wraparound1957

c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 49 The head of the sail is brought to the gaff by an earring and roundabout lacing.

Compounds

C1. Compounds of the noun.

a. In sense A. 4a.

ΚΠ

1780 S. Curwen Jrnl. 2 Sept. in Jrnl. & Lett. (1842) 275 The amusements consist in jumping, dancing, riding on roundabout horses with legs, speech-making, etc.

1865 J. Harland Songs of Wilsons 41 There was a large square space on the site of what is now called the Cloth Hall, called the Stanyhurst. Here all the roundabout horses, flying boxes, &c., were stationed.

a1953 D. Thomas Quite Early One Morning (1954) 22 The husky hushing of the roundabout music and the dowsing of the naphtha jets in the seaside fair.

2002 T. Lowndes Blackfoot Boy v. 133 I regained consciousness a few moments later, to find my head under the Roundabout ride, and all I could see was the rotating deck passing in front of me.

b. In sense A. 8.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > junction of roads, paths, or tracks > [adjective] > roundabout

roundabout1926

1926 Hansard Commons 27 Apr. 1836 There is not at present any proposal to introduce the round-about system of traffic working at Ludgate Circus.

1939 War Illustr. 7 Oct. 127 This car was found abandoned the morning after colliding with the posts of a ‘roundabout’ island.

1976 Alyn & Deeside Observer 10 Dec. 1/6 From there it runs to Broughton in the Welsh county of Clwyd and ends at a roundabout junction.

2003 M. Rogers Highway Engin. 127 When analysing the capacity of a roundabout intersection, the capacity of each of the entry arms is assessed.

C2. Compounds of the adjective.

roundabout chair n. originally and chiefly U.S. a type of corner chair with a curved back, made in the 18th cent; (also) a chair with a circular seat.

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [adjective] > types of chair

caned1696

rush-bottomed1696

rush-bottom1729

roundabout chair1741

leather-bottomed1783

stick-back1783

poker-backed1830

flag-bottomed1840

claw-footed1858

seatless1871

cane-bottomed1877

cane-seated1881

sag-seated1890

sit-up1891

slat-back1891

sag-bottomed1893

spindle-back1896

shield-back1897

Carver1902

basket-bodied1903

panel-back1904

Cromwellian1905

hooped-back1906

saddle-backed1910

hard-arsed1933

sling-back1948

X-frame1955

hard-arse1964

1741 in J. S. Moore Goods & Chattels Forefathers (1976) 286 Six India Back Chairs and a Round about Ditto with Leather seats £2 0s 0d.

1827 J. L. Blake et al. Evenings in Boston vi. 52 The furniture was all of the last century... A mahogany framed looking glass; a roundabout chair.

1871 N.Y. Times 22 Jan. 3/5 Sitting beside a Winter fire of an evening in a roundabout chair upon a solitary hearth.

1952 J. Gloag Short Dict. Furnit. 398 The roundabout chair has a circular seat, either upholstered or caned, a semi-circular back, and six legs.

1999 New Hampsh. Sunday News (Nexis) 7 Feb. e. 1 Other rare and unusual furniture on the docket include a Queen Anne walnut roundabout chair, [etc.].

roundabout jacket n. chiefly U.S. (now historical) a short, tight-fitting jacket buttoned to the neck, worn esp. by children or as part of a military uniform.

ΚΠ

1802 Gaz. U.S. (Philadelphia) 1 June They are dressed in blue roundabout jacket and trowsers.

1872 G. M. Baker Drawing-room Stage 188 The Schoolboy. Roundabout jacket, short pants, white stockings, rolling collar and cap.

1900 J. U. Knight Stringtown on Pike 286 I left Stringtown that autumn, in my round-about jacket.

1915 W. Whipple Story Young A. Lincoln ix. 98 He was a tall, gaunt young man, dressed in a suit of blue homespun, consisting of a roundabout jacket, waistcoat, and breeches.

2005 J. L. Severa My Likeness Taken 159 The little boy..wears a roundabout jacket, a fitted, waist-length style.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	roundabout
释义	roundaboutn.adj. Brit. /ˈraʊndəbaʊt/, U.S. /ˈraʊndəˌbaʊt/ Forms: see round about adv. and prep. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: round about adv. Etymology: < round about adv. With the use as noun compare earlier round n.¹ A. n. †1. a. gen. Something in the shape of a ring or circle; a circular course or circuit. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > curvature > roundness > [noun] > a circle or ring rounda1325 circlec1380 rigol1459 roundel1486 rundle1529 roundaboutc1535 circule1549 gyre1590 ringle1598 cirque1677 crinkle1702 circus1748 c1535 in Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum (1825) V. 184/2 There is in the seid close a motte called the round abowte. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 221 An iron Flie flew out, Which hauing flowne a perfect Round about,..return'd vnto her Maister. 1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 199 All the round-about of earthly beings. 1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy III. viii. 25 He tied and cross-tied them all fast together..with such a multiplicity of round-abouts and intricate cross-turns. 1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 183 Round-About, the boundary-hedge of a coppice. b. depreciative. A superfluous piece of circular clothing; spec. = farthingale n. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > contrivance for expanding skirts > hoop hoop1548 farthingale1552 vardingale1552 roundabouta1555 ferdegewa1556 verdugal1558 guard-infante1670 crinoline1847 tub-hoop1892 a1555 H. Latimer Fruitfull Serm. (1584) f. 280^v Mary had neuer a vardingalle, for she used no such superfluities as our fine damsels doe now adayes: for in the old tyme women were content with honest and single garmentes. Now they haue found out these roundaboutes. c. Scottish. A circular oatcake or roll. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > pancake, tortilla, or oatcake > [noun] > oatcake havercakec1400 oatcakec1400 haverbreada1425 cake1434 grue1655 clap-bread1691 roundabout1706 farl1724 tollie1825 teething bannock1866 1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. Scots Poems i. 23 For Rolls, for Nacketts, Roundabouts, Sour Cakes. 1763 J. Boswell Jrnl. 14 Mar. in London Jrnl. (1950) 216 They were..gaein down to Halkerston's Wynd and wigs and roundabouts. 1824 Tournay 31 in J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (1825) (at cited word) Ducholly can—gie ye nackets and round-abouts to your coffee and clarified whey. 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Roundabout, the name said to be given, in Angus, to an oatcake of a circular form, pinched all round with the finger and thumb. 1828 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch iii. 30 Roundabouts, and snaps, brown and white quality. d. Chiefly Scottish. A circular prehistoric fort or earthwork. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fort or fortified town > [noun] > other types of fort hendecagon1648 grand1670 etoile1727 vitrified fort1777 roundabout1795 ring fort1846 oppidum1847 sea-fort1879 motte-and-bailey1900 motte castle1912 mote-castle1919 murus gallicus1939 1795 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XV. 84 There are a great many round-abouts in the parish, commonly called Picts Works. 1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 19 A Pict's camp or Round-about. 1882 Handbk. Travellers Berks, Bucks, & Oxfordshire (ed. 3) ii. 131/1 The Camp, locally the ‘Roundabout’, is 140 yds. in diameter. e. A plump person; a person with a rounded figure. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [noun] > fat or plump shape or physique pumpkin1680 roundabout1809 middle-aged spread1883 spread1883 1809 W. Combe Schoolmaster's Tour in Poet. Mag. May 8 Her face was red, her form was fat, A round-about, and rather squat. 1862 A. B. Church Measure for Measure II. 33 All the crinoline in the world would not make Amy or Miss Clyde look a round-about like me. f. Scottish. A roundabout fireplace (see sense B. 5). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > types of fireplace range1423 Rumford fireplace1799 Rumford1810 roundabout1825 ingle1841 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Roundabout,..a fire-place..in which the grate is detached from the walls, and so placed that persons may sit around it on all sides. g. U.S. (chiefly New England). = roundabout chair n. at Compounds 2. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [noun] > armchair > other armchairs great chair1749 porter's chair1806 sleepy-hollow chair1820 roundabout1834 Glastonbury chair1853 frowst1905 club chair1919 carver1927 1834 New Eng. Mag. Aug. 144 I have lived to have a study and a roundabout, and have found them naught. 1844 Lowell (Mass.) Offering June 175 Father..[was] installed..in a large flag-bottomed ‘roundabout’ on the opposite side of the fire-place. 2. a. An indirect statement or expression; a circumlocution; spec. a euphemism. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > periphrasis or circumlocution > a circumlocution aboutspeecha1522 circumlocution1533 circumquaque1546 fetch-abouta1569 roundabout?c1570 periphrasis1579 compass1623 circumambages1649 circumbendibus1681 roundaboutedness1840 roundaboutility1863 amphilogism1866 ?c1570 Buggbears iii. ii, in R. W. Bond Early Plays from Italian (1911) 113 He red me a pistle & told a long round about not worth a whistle. 1673 B. Holyday tr. Flaccus Satyres (rev. ed.) 340/2 Wherefore, not to trouble our selves with these round-abouts, the old and ordinary exposition..seems to me most easie. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. v. 75 I began with my roundabouts, and my suppose's. 1777 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions VI. cxxvi. 58 Unsettle by systems and long-laboured literary roundabouts, the very marrow in the hollow of your bones. 1802 E. Parsons Myst. Visit III. 243 After several roundabouts leading to the subject. 1875 R. Browning Aristophanes' Apol. 148 All my roundabout Ends at beginning, with my own defence. 1951 E. Gowers ABC of Plain Words 17 Availability, this abstract word contributes much to the prevalent habit of preferring abstract roundabouts to direct speech. 1989 H. Rawson Wicked Words 107 The strength of the taboo surrounding this word is indicated by the extraordinary number or euphemisms and verbal roundabouts that have been devised for it. †b. A devious, shifty person. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > sneakiness > sneaky person > [noun] snuch1579 sheep-biter?1589 sneaker1598 roundabout1605 sneaka1643 sneaks1653 creepa1876 society > morality > moral evil > lack of principle or integrity > [noun] > dishonesty > dishonest person shondc725 makeshift1554 roundabout1605 fraudsman1613 trickster1711 bug1785 fly-by-night1796 twister1834 rigger1859 shyster1877 crook1879 heel1914 wide boy1937 1605 N. Breton I pray you be not Angrie in Wks. (1879) II. 8/1 This rascal round-about, without good complexion or good condition. 3. a. A circuitous or indirect journey; a detour. Now rare.In earliest use in figurative context. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > circuitous journey windlass1530 meander1631 compass1698 roundabouta1734 circuit1785 a1734 R. North Examen (1740) iii. vi. §10 430 We must be excused for walking the Author's Pace, in all his Round-abouts, though it be out of all known Track of Truth. 1755 G. Washington Writings (1889) I. 152 A very fatiguing ride and long round about, brought me to the General..at Frederick-Town. 1786 W. Cowper Let. 17 Apr. (1981) II. 519 A door..out of our garden..will save the round about by the town. 1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 10 July (1941) 73 I went to Cadell's by the Mound, a long roundabout. 1879 R. Browning Martin Relph 126 The floods were out, he was forced to take such a roundabout of ways! 1911 N. Douglas Siren Land vi. 105 In the breeding season it [sc. a thrush] makes a long roundabout to approach its nest. b. A tour or excursion which follows a circuitous route. rare. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > tour > types of the tour1642 grand tour1678 circular tour1860 swing1860 tourette1881 voyage of discovery1890 roundabout1894 Cook's tour1902 conducted1907 conducted tour1907 book tour1939 tour d'horizon1952 1894 Westm. Gaz. 20 Oct. 7/2 The general manager..personally conducted the party on a ‘roundabout’, which took in fifty..miles of the Cambrian Railway. 2004 K. O'Hara Last of Donkey Pilgrims 287 He asked me outright if I had stumbled into Faeryland during my roundabout. 4. Originally and chiefly British. a. A revolving machine or apparatus on which people (esp. children) may ride for amusement, spec. one in a fairground or playground; = merry-go-round n. 1.to gain on the swings and lose on the roundabouts: see swing n.² 11b. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [noun] > fairground ride > merry-go-round carousel1673 whimsic chair?c1684 whimsy1684 merry-go-round1729 roundabout1763 turnabout1789 whirligig1816 spin-'em-round1851 go-round1857 whirly-go-round1865 merry-go-around1873 giddy-go-round1879 go-around1888 razzle-dazzle1890 joy-wheel1911 chairoplane1922 whip1925 Noah's Ark1945 waltzer1961 swirl1962 1763 Brit. Mag. 4 50 There was a round-about for children to ride in, and all sorts of toys sold as at other fairs. 1795 C. Este Journey through Flanders 53 There is a round-about as in the apparatus for second childhood at Chantilli. 1813 Sporting Mag. 42 20 There were the usual swings, ups-and-downs and roundabouts. 1874 35th Rep. Prisons in Scotl. 220 A recreation ground is prepared for the warders' children, and fitted with swings, see-saws, and roundabouts. 1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again II. xxi. 320 The great roundabouts, worked by steam, made a fearful clatter. 1934 Manch. Guardian 3 Feb. 13/6 A playground with swings and roundabouts will probably be made upon the western side for the children of Hulme. 1961 M. Bond Paddington Abroad v. 73 There were roundabouts carrying dozens of shrieking, laughing people round and round as they clung to wooden horses. 1998 P. Laverty My Name is Joe 114 (stage direct.) Liam and Brendan play on a children's roundabout. Brendan squeals with delight as Liam burls him round. 2002 Bristol Evening Post (Nexis) 6 Dec. 2 There was a traditional fairground roundabout for youngsters. b. figurative. A whirl of bustling activity; (also) a repetitive and apparently pointless cycle of something. ΚΠ 1780 W. Cowper Poems 338 He sees that this great roundabout The world, with all its motley rout..Its customs and its businesses Are no concern at all of his. 1837 Mechanics' Mag. 8 Apr. 24/1 It shows with what a roundabout of futile expedients the public has been deluded. 1886 Current (Chicago) 16 Jan. 37/3 The disorderly roundabout of human imaginations and impressions. 1905 M. Pemberton Mid Thick Arrows xxxvii. 337 Three months had passed since Alice took any part in the social roundabout which serves London for its pleasures. 1985 M. Minden in E. Timms & D. Kelley Unreal City xii. 203 The world is figured as an undifferentiated roundabout of vanity and foolishness. 2002 A. Wright Foreign Country v. 117 The social roundabout continued revolving with as much speed as the first months of war allowed. †5. A type of round dance (round dance n. 1). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > round dance > [noun] > specific rayc1450 Sellenger's round1567 miller's round1579 roundelay1589 cushion-dance1607 prinkum-prankuma1635 roundabout1766 pillow dance1811 batuque1820 walkround1861 hora1878 kissing dance1899 maxixe1909 garba1920 raas garba1935 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. ix. 82 Though the Miss Flamboroughs..understood the jig and the round-about to perfection; yet they were totally unacquainted with country dances. 1815 P. Roberts Cambrian Antiq. 46 The Roundabout, or more precisely the Cheshire-round.., is danced by two only. †6. a. A tool used by burglars for cutting circular holes. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > burglary > [noun] > instruments used by burglars tricker1591 mill1607 iron1681 Betty1700 centre-bit1746 rook1788 jemmy1811 roundabout1811 James1819 jimmy1848 stick1848 Jack-in-the-box1850 Jack1862 alderman1872 cane1930 1811 Lexicon Balatronicum Round about, an instrument used in housebreaking. This instrument has not been long in use. It will cut a round piece about five inches in diameter out of a shutter or door. b. Tanning. A rotating barrel used in the preparation of skins. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for working with skins or leather > [noun] > tan-vat > types of bark-vatc1440 bark-cobillc1550 handler1771 grainer1813 roundabout1842 rocker1876 suspender1882 lay-away1885 layer pit1901 1842 Penny Mag. Monthly Suppl. May 214/2 The skins are put into a kind of barrel called a ‘roundabout’. 1852 C. Morfit Arts of Tanning, Currying, & Leather-dressing xxxvi. 411 In some places, the tanning process is slightly modified..by the use of a large barrel-churn, or roundabout, which receives both the skins and alum-bath. 7. a. Chiefly U.S. = roundabout jacket n. at Compounds 2. Now historical. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > jacket > short roundabout1812 spencer1831 Eton jacket1850 Eton1885 bum-perisher1889 bum-shaver1889 perisher1889 bolero1892 bum-freezer1929 bum-starver1930 bum-freezer jacket1943 blouson1958 monkey jacket1968 Harrington1982 1812 Times 28 Dec. 4 Lindsey roundabouts, double or lined, will answer the purpose. 1823 J. F. Cooper Pilot I. vi. 66 The young sailor..slipped his arms into the sleeves of a morning round-about, covered with the trappings of his profession. 1877 E. L. Bynner Nimport vi. 93 She exacted his obedience and reproved his shortcomings..as though he were still in roundabouts. 1912 M. Young Behind dark Pines i. 3 Brer Rabbit been wearin' a round-about ever since. 1998 L. Porter People set Apart 355 The men were issued new clothing—round-abouts (close-fitting jackets) and trousers. b. New Zealand. A long loose-fitting garment worn by Maori women, originally supplied by European missionaries. Now historical and rare. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > dress, robe, or gown > types of > loose-fitting sack1599 slammerkin1729 trollopee1756 Levite1779 roundabout1856 Mother Hubbard1877 Mother Hubbard1883 muumuu1888 caftan1965 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > loose clothing > robe or gown > types of > dressing gown > other night-rail1552 peignoir1835 shawl dressing-gown1837 roundabout1856 negligée1862 fire-gown1870 bath-robe1902 bath-gown1909 1856 V. Lush Jrnl. 17 Jan. (1971) 176 The whole lot stood quietly looking at us, clothed from top to toe in their long full roundabouts. 1861 R. B. Paul N.Z. 17 [The Maori women's] usual dress is..a shapeless sack of printed calico, called a ‘roundabout’, tied round the neck but loose at the waist. 1890 P. A. Philips Reminisc. Early Days 7 The hostess did not dress for dinner..her usual attire being a Maori roundabout. 1940 J. Cowan Sir D. Maclean 33 The payment..consisted of..two ‘roundabouts’ (loose brightly coloured blouses for the ladies), and one axe. 8. Originally and chiefly British. A junction of several roads consisting of a central (usually circular) island around which traffic moves in one direction.Vehicular roundabouts developed from large-scale circuses or rond-points in France and America (cf. rond-point n. 1). Typically smaller in size, British roundabouts are sometimes distinguished from similar junctions by the rule in which oncoming traffic must give way to traffic moving around the central island. traffic circle and rotary are the more common terms in America (see traffic circle n. at traffic n. Compounds 2, rotary n. 3)mini-roundabout: see the first element. ΘΚΠ society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > junction of roads, paths, or tracks > [noun] > types of road junction > roundabout circus1898 rond-point1903 rotonda1908 traffic circle1914 roundabout1926 rotary1940 gyratory1983 modern roundabout1987 1926 Times 27 Apr. 17/5 A protest should be made..against the uncouth, Latinese word ‘gyratory’ to express the new traffic arrangements... Why not use the simple English word ‘round-about’? 1926 Times 02 Nov. 18 (heading) Marble Arch roundabout. 1936 Rotarian Aug. 23/2 There should be twin carriageways, separate cycle tracks, proper paths for pedestrians, roundabouts where necessary, and other adjuncts to safety. 1947 Daily Mail 22 May 3/4 Removal of the Mansion House to make room for a big round-about. 1967 Listener 28 Sept. 398/1 People make only occasional use of their speedometer..on such critical occasions as the approach to roundabouts. 1974 A. Sillery Botswana xv. 162 Ornamental shrubs are growing on the roundabouts and in some of the public spaces. 1991 Constr. Weekly 18 Sept. 10/3 The dual carriageway spine road, which will run from Lawrence Hill roundabout to the A4 Bath Road at Arnos Vale, is the key to Bristol's urban renewal. 2008 P. Worsley Acad. skating on Thin Ice ii. 29 I was sent ahead on my motorbike to guide the convoy round a roundabout. B. adj. 1. a. Of a person: engaging in circumlocution; long-winded.In quot. 1608 perhaps: devious, shifty (cf. sense A. 2b). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective] slipperc1000 hinderc1200 slidderya1250 covert1340 unwrast1393 slyc1440 slippery1555 fetching1570 shifting1581 as slippery as an eel1601 roundabout1608 corner-creeping1610 shuffling1616 prevaricatory1645 prevaricative1657 sliverly1674 whifflinga1680 sneak-pasty1681 slid1719 evasive1725 shauchling1755 shifty1837 slab-bridged1845 sneaky1861 pussy-footed1893 sidewinding1902 slithery1902 pussyfooting1926 1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters ii. sig. B3^v You progressiue round-about Rascall. a1834 S. T. Coleridge Specimens of Table Talk (1835) I. 18 A rogue is a roundabout fool. 1884 ‘Judge Wiglittle’ 10 Years Police Judge xxi. 187 The roundabout witness..would begin back to a date anterior to the building of the Tower of Babel. 1916 O. S. Marden Selling Things xv. 107 The roundabout talker, the man who prefaces everything with a long introduction,..tires and irritates a busy man. 1999 P. T. O'Conner Words fail Me (2000) xxi. 150 What do these roundabout writers do?.. They pile on jargon or obfuscatory words. b. Of a statement, expression, etc.: indirect; circumlocutory. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [adjective] > periphrastic or circumlocutory ambagious?1532 periphrasticala1638 circumlatory1639 ambagical1652 ambitious1656 circumlocutory1659 roundabout1704 periphrastic1776 ambagitory1814 circumambagious1834 ambaginous1838 circumambulatory1842 circumlocutionary1863 circumlocutional1865 1704 I. Sharpe Animadversions other Passages 3 Without long—roundabout—Addresses, the match was soon struck up. 1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote I. iv. xv. 331 I would not willingly disclose myself of a sudden, but, prepare him by some round-about insinuation. 1861 T. A. Trollope La Beata I. ix. 254 Before the old wax-chandler had got a quarter through his hints and roundabout explanations. 1885 E. Clodd Myths & Dreams i. vi. 105 The savage..will use all sorts of roundabout phrases to avoid saying it. 1902 Australasian Med. Gaz. 21 July 355/1 The endless round-about sayings of patients may be swept away in an hour's personal intercourse. 1986 J. Gilbert Cycle of Outrage viii. 135 He summarized his views in a curiously negative and roundabout sentence. 2004 New Yorker 1 Mar. 61/1 East Asians are ‘wagon turners’ (a roundabout reference to Indians by way of American Indians). 2. Indirect, circuitous; not following a straight course. a. Of a path, route, or journey. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [adjective] > circuitous roundabout1684 society > travel > means of travel > route or way > [adjective] > indirect abouta1460 indirect1474 devious1628 far-fetcheda1656 roundabout1684 circumflex1707 ungain1824 circuitous1868 1684 C. Whitaker tr. Flaminius in J. Dryden tr. Plutarch Lives II. 639 There was a Round-about-way which the Enemy neglected to Guard. 1701 J. Norris in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 43 We had a roundabout journey. 1756 J. Wesley Let. 6 Jan. (1931) III. 364 A long, narrow, troublesome, round-about path. 1834 G. P. R. James John Marston Hall I. xi. 134 I informed him, that I..enjoyed a roundabout more than a straightforward track. 1893 F. C. Selous Trav. S.-E. Afr. 56 After a hard day's walk over a very roundabout road. 1925 Woman's World (Chicago) Apr. 59/2 Charity avoided the high road and took a roundabout way through the woods. 1983 C. Ozick Cannibal Galaxy (1984) 8 He followed the roundabout way, tantalized by the beautiful house and its lordly contours. 2002 N. Nicolson Fanny Burney vi. 91 Chance took her by a roundabout route through Liège, Cologne and the Prussian Rhineland. b. Of a method or procedure. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > indirect action or process > [adjective] collateralc1374 ambagious?1532 indirect1584 circular1617 squint1619 squinting1648 sidelong1654 circumferentiala1661 circuitous1664 side wind1672 side-winded1696 roundabout1701 side-handed1828 1701 tr. Refl. Present Interests Several Courts Christendom 23 By a hundred Windings and Turnings and roundabout Fetches, adroitly to manage delicate Affairs. 1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxvi. 215 She declared that she would have nothing to do with any round-about ways, but go openly and instantly to law. 1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 241 Why move towards your object in this round-about manner? 1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic vii. 204 The Logicians invented the awkward, roundabout, and operose process which they called Reduction per impossibile. 1926 J. Devanny Butcher Shop i. 18 In a roundabout way the news had come to him that Hortry was shepherding. 1991 Economist 13 July 101/2 ‘Soft’ commissions, the roundabout practice whereby stock brokers charge a commission and then return part of it to their client in kind. 2008 P. Tracey Stalking Irish Madness xvii. 229 Cultural etiquette calls for me to find a roundabout approach. †3. Complete, thorough; all-round. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > [adjective] > inclusive or comprehensive > inclusive of all universal1585 roundabouta1704 all-inclusive1817 all in1886 overall1926 a1704 J. Locke Wks. (1724) III. 391 Those who readily and sincerely follow Reason, but for want of having that which one may call large, sound, round about Sense, have not a full view of all that relates to the Question. 1793 Crit. Rev. 8 126 He gave the image in profile, and left the reader to take a round-about view. 4. Of clothing: that goes all the way round; cut in a circle at the bottom so as to have no train or tail. Chiefly in roundabout jacket (see roundabout jacket n. at Compounds 2). Now historical. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > having specific parts > train or tails > not roundabout1710 trainless1859 round1890 1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 245. ⁋2 Six round-about Aprons with Pockets. 1837 T. E. Hook in New Monthly Mag. 49 468 I hear the rustling of Mrs. Brandyball's roundabout silk gown. 1866 R. D. Blackmore Cradock Nowell III. 4 Amy was..in her simple grey hat and feather, and that roundabout chenille thing which she herself had made. 1960 G. G. Korson Black Rock ii. 45 It [sc. the costume] consisted of a cap, a sailor's roundabout coat, buckskin vest and pants. 5. Chiefly Scottish. Of a fireplace: positioned away from a wall so as to allow people to sit all round. Now historical and rare. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [adjective] > types of fireplace or grate back-to-back1626 roundabout1714 grateless1876 fenderless1878 1714 W. Forbes Jrnl. Session 1705–13 136 A Roundabout Fireside for the Conveniency of Servants. 1802 C. Findlater Gen. View Agric. County of Peebles 40 The round-about fire side..was universally in use in the kitchen. 1848 W. H. Ainsworth Lancs. Witches I. ii. v. 375 A round-about fire-place occupied one end of the chamber. 1978 T. Henderson Shetland 142 (caption) A round-about fire in Walls about 1910. 6. Of a person or part of the body: plump; having a rounded figure. Also figurative. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [adjective] > fat or plump fatc893 frimOE fullOE overfatOE greatOE bald1297 roundc1300 encorsivea1340 fattishc1369 fleshyc1369 fleshlyc1374 repletea1398 largec1405 corsious1430 corpulentc1440 corsyc1440 fulsome1447 portlyc1487 corporate1509 foggy fata1529 corsive1530 foggish?1537 plump1545 fatty1552 fleshful1552 pubble1566 plum1570 pursy1576 well-fleshed1576 gross?1577 fog1582 forfatted1586 gulchy1598 bouksome1600 fat-fed1607 meatified1607 chuff1609 plumpya1616 bloat1638 blowze-like1647 obese1651 jollya1661 bloated1664 chubbed1674 pluffya1689 puffya1689 pussy1688 sappy1694 crummy1718 chubby1722 fodgel1724 well-padded1737 beefy1743 plumpish1753 pudsy1754 rotund1762 portable1770 lusty1777 roundabout1787 well-cushioned1802 plenitudinous1803 stout1804 embonpointc1806 roly-poly1808 adipose1810 roll-about1815 foggy1817 poddy1823 porky1828 hide-blown1834 tubby1835 stoutish1836 tubbish1836 superfatted1841 pottle-bodied1842 pincushiony1851 opulent1882 well-covered1884 well-upholstered1886 butterball1888 endomorphic1888 tisty-tosty1888 pachyntic1890 barrel-bodied1894 overweight1899 pussy-gutted1906 upholstered1924 1761 Lloyd's Evening Post 25 May 496/3 There goes Mrs. Roundabout, I mean the fat Lady in the lutestring trollopee.] 1787 W. Beckford Jrnl. 13 June in Jrnl. Portugal & Spain (1954) (modernized text) 80 A little roundabout Madeira cousin of D. Margarida's with a snug wig and a silvery waistcoat. 1801 W. Drennan in J. Edkins Coll. Poems by Several Hands 100 It were easy to make her indecent..With a round-about rump. 1840 R. Bremner Excursions Denmark II. 406 The easy round-about men seen in Copenhagen, would excite a smile if seen side by side with these handsome fellows. 1893 B. M. Croker Dâk Bungalow Dakor in To Let 133 The upper tray contained a stout roundabout bag, presumably full of rupees. 1931 S. Kaye-Smith Hist. Susan Spray 3 A pretty little girl, small-boned and graceful, quite an elegant little lady compared with the roundabout redfaced children of the neighbours. 1973 N. Marsh Black as he's Painted i. 17 ‘Good morning,’ said the roundabout lady at the desk. †7. Of a punch or blow: delivered with a wide swinging of the arm; cf. roundhouse adj. 2a. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > [adjective] > indirect roundabout1825 1825 Morning Chron. 2 Nov. 3/3 That personage immediately aimed a roundabout blow at Captain Mowll. 1830 E. Bulwer-Lytton Paul Clifford I. vi. 127 That round-about sort of blow with the left fist is very unfavourable towards the preservation of a firm balance. 1887 St. Louis (Missouri) Globe-Democrat 16 Nov. 8/6 To box a man meant..to hit him a swinging or roundabout blow. †8. Nautical. Of rope: that goes all the way round. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > [adjective] circumjacent1490 circumstant1545 circumvoisin1548 environing?a1560 encompassing1571 ambient1572 succingent1578 embracing1590 circling1594 girdling1598 circumdant1600 rounding1600 all round?1611 circumferent1620 circumsistent1625 circuiting1632 circulating1632 encircling1632 surrounding1637 begirting1645 circumambient1648 circumstantial1650 girding1658 skirtingc1735 entwining1737 circumadjacent1780 belting1808 engirdling1843 encyclic1850 engirding1852 zoning1853 roundaboutc1860 begirding1877 wraparound1957 c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 49 The head of the sail is brought to the gaff by an earring and roundabout lacing. Compounds C1. Compounds of the noun. a. In sense A. 4a. ΚΠ 1780 S. Curwen Jrnl. 2 Sept. in Jrnl. & Lett. (1842) 275 The amusements consist in jumping, dancing, riding on roundabout horses with legs, speech-making, etc. 1865 J. Harland Songs of Wilsons 41 There was a large square space on the site of what is now called the Cloth Hall, called the Stanyhurst. Here all the roundabout horses, flying boxes, &c., were stationed. a1953 D. Thomas Quite Early One Morning (1954) 22 The husky hushing of the roundabout music and the dowsing of the naphtha jets in the seaside fair. 2002 T. Lowndes Blackfoot Boy v. 133 I regained consciousness a few moments later, to find my head under the Roundabout ride, and all I could see was the rotating deck passing in front of me. b. In sense A. 8. ΘΚΠ society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > junction of roads, paths, or tracks > [adjective] > roundabout roundabout1926 1926 Hansard Commons 27 Apr. 1836 There is not at present any proposal to introduce the round-about system of traffic working at Ludgate Circus. 1939 War Illustr. 7 Oct. 127 This car was found abandoned the morning after colliding with the posts of a ‘roundabout’ island. 1976 Alyn & Deeside Observer 10 Dec. 1/6 From there it runs to Broughton in the Welsh county of Clwyd and ends at a roundabout junction. 2003 M. Rogers Highway Engin. 127 When analysing the capacity of a roundabout intersection, the capacity of each of the entry arms is assessed. C2. Compounds of the adjective. roundabout chair n. originally and chiefly U.S. a type of corner chair with a curved back, made in the 18th cent; (also) a chair with a circular seat. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [adjective] > types of chair caned1696 rush-bottomed1696 rush-bottom1729 roundabout chair1741 leather-bottomed1783 stick-back1783 poker-backed1830 flag-bottomed1840 claw-footed1858 seatless1871 cane-bottomed1877 cane-seated1881 sag-seated1890 sit-up1891 slat-back1891 sag-bottomed1893 spindle-back1896 shield-back1897 Carver1902 basket-bodied1903 panel-back1904 Cromwellian1905 hooped-back1906 saddle-backed1910 hard-arsed1933 sling-back1948 X-frame1955 hard-arse1964 1741 in J. S. Moore Goods & Chattels Forefathers (1976) 286 Six India Back Chairs and a Round about Ditto with Leather seats £2 0s 0d. 1827 J. L. Blake et al. Evenings in Boston vi. 52 The furniture was all of the last century... A mahogany framed looking glass; a roundabout chair. 1871 N.Y. Times 22 Jan. 3/5 Sitting beside a Winter fire of an evening in a roundabout chair upon a solitary hearth. 1952 J. Gloag Short Dict. Furnit. 398 The roundabout chair has a circular seat, either upholstered or caned, a semi-circular back, and six legs. 1999 New Hampsh. Sunday News (Nexis) 7 Feb. e. 1 Other rare and unusual furniture on the docket include a Queen Anne walnut roundabout chair, [etc.]. roundabout jacket n. chiefly U.S. (now historical) a short, tight-fitting jacket buttoned to the neck, worn esp. by children or as part of a military uniform. ΚΠ 1802 Gaz. U.S. (Philadelphia) 1 June They are dressed in blue roundabout jacket and trowsers. 1872 G. M. Baker Drawing-room Stage 188 The Schoolboy. Roundabout jacket, short pants, white stockings, rolling collar and cap. 1900 J. U. Knight Stringtown on Pike 286 I left Stringtown that autumn, in my round-about jacket. 1915 W. Whipple Story Young A. Lincoln ix. 98 He was a tall, gaunt young man, dressed in a suit of blue homespun, consisting of a roundabout jacket, waistcoat, and breeches. 2005 J. L. Severa My Likeness Taken 159 The little boy..wears a roundabout jacket, a fitted, waist-length style. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † roundaboutv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: roundabout n. Etymology: < roundabout n. (compare roundabout n. 5). Obsolete. rare. transitive with it. To dance a round dance or roundabout (roundabout n. 5). ΚΠ 1813 Ld. Byron Waltz 5 Away they went and roundabouted it till supper-time. 1835 Woman I. v. 166 Thus do they ‘roundabout’ it till feeding time, when..the dancers repose awhile from their labours. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online September 2018). < n.adj.c1535v.1813
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roundaboutn.adj.

Compounds

† roundaboutv.