Literary notes about Circulate (AI summary)
The word "circulate" in literature is notably versatile, functioning to evoke both physical and metaphorical movement. In many texts, authors employ it to describe the rapid spread of ideas, rumors, and petitions—suggesting an organic, almost viral dissemination among communities, as seen when a saying is promised to be relayed ([1]) or when petitions are distributed widely to mobilize a movement ([2], [3], [4]). At the same time, "circulate" is used in a literal sense to denote the movement within a living organism or physical environment, such as blood flowing through a body ([5], [6]) or air shifting around obstacles ([7]). Even in the context of economic or social commentary—the circulation of coin or printed material ([8], [9])—the term bridges the tangible and intangible, underscoring the dynamic nature of exchange in both bodily processes and human interaction.
- I’ll circulate that saying, be assured, my dear fellow.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - Woman's Rights.—Circulate the Petition .
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - As many persons will circulate petitions in the same town and county, it is important to guard against this possible abuse.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - We shall hold conventions in every county, distribute tracts and circulate petitions, in order, if possible, to arouse a proper self-respect in woman.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - Then he took him out, and sat down by the fire and laid him on his breast and rubbed his arms that the blood might circulate again.
— from Grimms' Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm - His head ached, his back was stiff, and the blood had ceased to circulate, so that his feet were swelled and pinched by his boots.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - Half a foot from a wall the air, which is refracted and does not circulate freely, produces a different effect on your face.
— from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Beware lest you circulate spurious coin.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - There were also notes printed on silk for 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 ounces each, valued at par in silver, but these would not circulate.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano