Wiktionary
n. a circle formed by a plane that cuts a sphere not through its centre
Usage examples of "small circle".
A small circle of light appeared suddenly, rows ahead of her, and projected a weak cone out through the corn, like the beam of a land-locked lighthouse.
The words and beliefs expressed ten weeks before seemed bodied forth in the darkness beyond the small circle of candle light, and I sickened at the hollow, altered voice of my host.
We need be careful how we deal with those about us, when every death carries to some small circle of survivors, thoughts of so much omitted, and so little done—.
Carey said, absently rubbing his knuckles in a small circle against his chest.
There was no way to tell which led the small circle and held the shield on the Darkfriend, but not even one of the Forsaken could have broken it.