circle vs flank

circle

noun
  • A traffic circle or roundabout. 

  • An instrument of observation, whose graduated limb consists of an entire circle. When fixed to a wall in an observatory, it is called a mural circle; when mounted with a telescope on an axis and in Y's, in the plane of the meridian, a meridian or transit circle; when involving the principle of reflection, like the sextant, a reflecting circle; and when that of repeating an angle several times continuously along the graduated limb, a repeating circle. 

  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a disk, consisting of the set of all those points of a plane at a distance less than or equal to a fixed distance (radius) from a given point. 

  • A form of argument in which two or more unproved statements are used to prove each other; inconclusive reasoning. 

  • A line comprising two semicircles of 30 yards radius centred on the wickets joined by straight lines parallel to the pitch used to enforce field restrictions in a one-day match. 

  • A bagginess of the skin below the eyes from lack of sleep. 

  • A series ending where it begins, and repeating itself. 

  • A territorial division or district. 

  • Any thin three-dimensional equivalent of the geometric figures. 

  • Any shape, curve or arrangement of objects that approximates to or resembles the geometric figures. 

  • A two-dimensional geometric figure, a line, consisting of the set of all those points in a plane that are equally distant from a given point (center). 

  • A curve that more or less forms part or all of a circle. 

  • A specific group of persons; especially one who shares a common interest. 

  • The orbit of an astronomical body. 

  • A ritual circle that is cast three times deosil and closes three times widdershins either in the air with a wand or literally with stones or other items used for worship. 

verb
  • To travel around along a curved path. 

  • To travel in circles. 

  • To place or mark a circle around. 

  • To surround. 

flank

noun
  • The outermost strip of a road. 

  • The flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side. 

  • The sides of a bastion perpendicular to the wall from which the bastion projects. 

  • The wing, one side of the pitch. 

  • That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line. 

  • A cut of meat from the flank of an animal. 

  • The side of something, in general senses. 

  • The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc. 

adj
  • Maximum. Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack. 

verb
  • To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side). 

  • To defend the flank(s) of. 

  • To attack the flank(s) of. 

  • To place to the side(s) of. 

How often have the words circle and flank occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )