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ring

A circle, or a circular line, or anything in the form of a circular line or hoop.

2. Specifically, a circular ornament of gold or other precious material worn on the finger, or attached to the ear, the nose, or some other part of the person; as, a wedding ring. Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. (Chaucer) The dearest ring in Venice will I give you. (Shak)

3. A circular area in which races are or run or other sports are performed; an arena. Place me. O, place me in the dusty ring, Where youthful charioteers contened for glory. (E. Smith)

4. An inclosed space in which pugilists fight; hence, figuratively, prize fighting. The road was an institution, the ring was an institution.

5. A circular group of persons. And hears the muses in a Aye round about Jove's alter sing. (milton)

6. (Science: geometry) The plane figure included between the circumferences of two concentric circles. The solid generated by the revolution of a circle, or other figure, about an exterior straight line (as an axis) lying in the same plane as the circle or other figure.

7. (Science: astronomy) An instrument, formerly used for taking the sun's altitude, consisting of a brass ring suspended by a swivel, with a hole at one side through which a solar ray entering indicated the altitude on the graduated inner surface opposite.

8. (Science: botany) An elastic band partly or wholly encircling the spore cases of ferns.

9. A clique; an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish purpose, as to control the market, distribute offices, obtain contracts, etc. The ruling ring at Constantinople. (E. A. Freeman) Ring armor, armor composed of rings of metal. See Ring mail, below, and chain mail, under Chain.

(Science: chemistry) Ring blackbird, a graphic formula in the shape of a closed ring, as in the case of benzene, pyridine, etc. Ring mail, a kind of mail made of small steel rings sewed upon a garment of leather or of cloth. Ring micrometer.

(Science: astronomy) The ring ousel. The prize ring, the ring in which prize fighters contend; prize fighters, collectively. The ring. The body of sporting men who bet on horse races. The prize ring.

Origin: AS. Hring, hrinc; akin to Fries. Hring, D. & G. Ring, OHG. Ring, hring, Icel. Hringr, DAn. & SW. Ring; cf. Russ. Krug'. Cf. Harangue, Rank a row,Rink.

1. To surround with a ring, or as with a ring; to encircle. Ring these fingers.

2. (Science: botany) To make a ring around by cutting away the bark; to girdle; as, to ring branches or roots.

3. To fit with a ring or with rings, as the fingers, or a swine's snout.

Origin: Ringed; Ringing.

(Science: veterinary) To rise in the air spirally.