Meaning: round

Illustrative Context

That table is round.

Target Sense

• The most generic adjective for round, in the prototypical sense of the shape of an object as (roughly) circular, usually in the plane of its largest dimensions. Considered effectively an antonym to other symmetrical object shapes, e.g. square or indeed oval.
• As a generic term, the same lexeme may extend to objects that are round not just in just two dimensions (e.g. coins, discs, or the table in the illustrative context) but in three, i.e. spherical objects such as balls. Do not, however, enter distinct, additional lexemes specific to roundness in three dimensions, e.g. spherical.
• The term for literally (if roughly) circular, in absolute terms. Avoid relative or attenuating terms such as just rounded, i.e. not basically circular but just without sharp or discernible corners.
• Similarly, do not enter additional lexemes for elliptical rather than truly round. Only if the basic vocabulary of a language has just a single cover lexeme — as the default term for objects whether roughly round or actually clearly elliptical — would that be the target lexeme in that language (as its only default term that covers the target sense and illustrative context here, even if also applied more widely).
• In particular, avoid lexemes that do not primarily mean circular in a literal and absolute sense, but are figurative extensions with looser and narrower senses, e.g. English rotund for the shape of a person’s body, particularly their girth.
• The target is the generic adjective, relatively non-specific as to the nature of the (round) object in question. Avoid other adjectives applied more narrowly only or predominantly to one or more specific types of typically round object, e.g. wheels, rings, discs.
• The default register term, in the basic vocabulary: avoid (even just slightly) more technical or elevated terms, e.g. circular.