1. Anything round, as a circle, a globe, a ring. "The golden round" [the crown]. Shak.
In labyrinth of many a round self- rolled.
Milton. 2. A series of changes or events ending where it began; a series of like events recurring in continuance; a
cycle; a periodical revolution; as, the round of the seasons; a round of pleasures.
3. A course of action or conduct performed by a number of persons in turn, or one after another, as if
seated in a circle.
Women to cards may be compared: we play
A round or two; which used, we throw away.
Granville.
The feast was served; the bowl was crowned;
To the king's pleasure went the mirthful round.
Prior. 4. A series of duties or tasks which must be performed in turn, and then repeated.
the trivial round, the common task.
Keble. 5. A circular dance.
Come, knit hands, and beat the ground,
In a light fantastic round.
Milton. 6. That which goes round a whole circle or company; as, a round of applause.
7. Rotation, as in office; succession. Holyday.
8. The step of a ladder; a rundle or rung; also, a crosspiece which joins and braces the legs of a chair.
All the rounds like Jacob's ladder rise.
Dryden. 9. A course ending where it began; a circuit; a beat; especially, one freguently or regulary traversed; also,
the act of traversing a circuit; as, a watchman's round; the rounds of the postman.
10. (Mil.) (a) A walk performed by a guard or an officer round the rampart of a garrison, or among
sentinels, to see that the sentinels are faithful and all things safe; also, the guard or officer, with his attendants,
who performs this duty; — usually in the plural. (b) A general discharge of firearms by a body of troops
in which each soldier fires once. (c) Ammunition for discharging a piece or pieces once; as, twenty
rounds of ammunition were given out.
11. (Mus.) A short vocal piece, resembling a catch in which three or four voices follow each other
round in a species of canon in the unison.
12. The time during which prize fighters or boxers are in actual contest without an intermission, as prescribed
by their rules; a bout.
13. A brewer's vessel in which the fermentation is concluded, the yeast escaping through the bunghole.
14. A vessel filled, as for drinking. [R.]
15. An assembly; a group; a circle; as, a round of politicians. Addison.
16. (Naut.) See Roundtop.
17. Same as Round of beef, below.
