Cir`cu*la"tion (?), n. [L.
circulatio: cf. F. circulation.] 1.
The act of moving in a circle, or in a course which brings
the moving body to the place where its motion began.
This continual circulation of human
things.
Swift.
2. The act of passing from place to place
or person to person; free diffusion; transmission.
The true doctrines of astronomy appear to have had
some popular circulation.
Whewell.
3. Currency; circulating coin; notes,
bills, etc., current for coin.
4. The extent to which anything
circulates or is circulated; the measure of diffusion; as, the
circulation of a newspaper.
5. (Physiol.) The movement of the
blood in the blood-vascular system, by which it is brought into
close relations with almost every living elementary constituent.
Also, the movement of the sap in the vessels and tissues of
plants.