What is "circumduction"

Circumduction \Cir`cum*duc"tion\, n. [L. circumductio.]

1. A leading about; circumlocution. [R.]
   --Hooker.

2. An annulling; cancellation. [R.]
   --Ayliffe.

3. (Physiol.) The rotation of a limb round an imaginary axis, so as to describe a conical surface.

1570s, from Latin circumductionem (nominative circumductio), noun of action from past participle stem of circumducere "to lead around, move or drive around," from circum "around" (see circum-) + ducere "to lead" (see duke (n.)). Related: Circumduce.

n. The circular (or, more precisely, conical) movement of a body part, such as a ball-and-socket joint or the eye. It consists of a combination of flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction. "Windmilling" the arms or rotating the hand from the wrist are examples of circumductive movement.

n. a circular movement of a limb or eye

Circumduction may refer to:

• Circumduction (anatomy), the circular movement of a limb
• Circumduction (rhetoric), an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech