surroundings; circumference; rules
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesnoun
surroundings; vicinity; neighborhood
Refers to the area or people in the immediate vicinity of a place.
He knows everyone in the surrounding neighborhood.
Villagers from several li around all rushed over to watch the excitement.
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He is quite famous within a radius of several dozen li.
noun
circumference; radius; distance around
Indicates the distance or length surrounding a particular point or area.
Not a single person can be seen for several dozen li around.
This ancient city covers a circumference of fifteen li, grand in scale.
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There is not a single regular hospital within a hundred li radius.
noun
square and circle; rules and standards
Often used metaphorically to refer to rules, standards, or proper conduct. Commonly appears in set phrases.
Without the compass and square, one cannot form circles and squares—nothing can be accomplished without rules.
Without rules, standards cannot be established.
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One must understand the way of the square and circle—being both firm and gentle.