vicious circle

1. A situation in which the apparent solution of one problem in a chain of circumstances creates a new problem and increases the difficulty of solving the original problem. Also called vicious cycle.

2. A condition in which a disorder or disease gives rise to another that subsequently affects the first.

3. Logic A fallacy in reasoning in which the premise is used to prove the conclusion, and the conclusion used to prove the premise.

[Translation of New Latin circulus vitiōsus, circular argument : Medieval Latin circulus, circular argument + Latin vitiōsus, flawed, faulty.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

vicious circle

1. Also: vicious cycle a situation in which an attempt to resolve one problem creates new problems that lead back to the original situation

2. (Logic) logic

a. a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is inferred from premises the truth of which cannot be established independently of that conclusion

b. an explanation given in terms that cannot be understood independently of that which was to be explained

c. a situation in which some statement is shown to entail its negation and vice versa, as this statement is false is true only if false and false only if true

3. (Medicine) med a condition in which one disease or disorder causes another, which in turn aggravates the first condition

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

vi′cious cir′cle

1. Sometimes, vi′cious cy′cle. a situation in which effort to solve a given problem results in aggravation of the problem or the creation of a worse one.

2. Logic.

a. (in demonstration) the use of each of two propositions to establish the other.

b. (in definition) the use of each of two terms to define the other.

[1785–95]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	vicious circle - one trouble leads to another that aggravates the first vicious cycle positive feedback, regeneration - feedback in phase with (augmenting) the input
	2.	vicious circle - an argument that assumes that which is to be proved specious argument - an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious

Translations

noidankehä

vítahringur

vicious circle

n → Teufelskreis m, → Circulus vitiosus m (geh); to be caught in a vicious circle → sich in einem Teufelskreis befinden

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

vicious circle

n → circolo vizioso

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Searching about him for the means of breaking through this vicious circle, he could think of nothing better than some immense service to render or some delicate intrigue to carry through for persons in power.

View in context

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