cirque

1. Geography a semicircular or crescent-shaped basin with steep sides and a gently sloping floor formed in mountainous regions by the erosive action of a glacier

2. Archaeol an obsolete term for circle

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

cirque

[sərk]

(geology)

A steep elliptic to elongated enclave high on mountains in calcareous districts, usually forming the blunt end of a valley. Also known as corrie; cwm.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Cirque

a natural bowl-shaped depression near the summit of a mountain, with steep rocky walls and a sloping concave bottom. It is formed by the action of small glaciers, snow fields, and subsequent frost weathering. Some cirques have permanent glaciers or firn accumulation; others have seasonal accumulations of snow, and very often the cirque bottom is filled with water(high-mountain lakes).

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References in periodicals archive

Cirque Manchester will open with a VIP, invitation-only launch party on Saturday, August 24, before the grand opening on Sunday August 25.

Roll up, roll up for risque circus fun

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group currently has over 4,000 employees, including 1,400 artists, from nearly 50 countries.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group Acquires VStar Entertainment in Family Offering Expansion

We believe in our people first, and in dedication to our guests, and we have faith in the Le Cirque brand and its values.

Head-to-Head: Le Cirque

In the case of The Cirque, Ortigas itself owns all of the 55 units offered to the hospitality market, but in other similar properties where it has a stake like The Connor, unit buyers are given the option to buy units that will be pooled into HII's serviced apartments system.

Ortigas and Co. fuels serviced apartment trend as weary travelers seek alternatives

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment.

Cirque du Soleil to bring Varekai to Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle; Cirque du Soleil is embarking on its first-ever Varekai UK arena tour featuring acts never seen before in Great Britain

With Zeiger's guidance, Cirque hopes to enter a new market-though this isn't the company's first attempt at a song-and-dance show.

From the big top to Broadway: does Cirque du Soleil have what it takes to tackle the Great White Way?

Ils ont egalement evoque la philosophie du cirque present dans notre pays depuis 2003 et en tournee discontinue depuis decembre 2012.

Des spectacles inspires de notre culture

Cirque founder Guy Laliberte told a news conference in Montreal that he has signed a deal to sell a majority stake to TPG for an undisclosed price.

Cirque du Soleil sells majority stake to private equity firm

Cirque Eloize is a Canadian company based in Montreal which has been going since 1993 and has performed in 40 countries.

Contemporary circus shows a visual feast; As two circuses roll into town Roz Laws takes a look at what makes them different to the traditional Big Tosp affair

"Cirque du Soleil is one of the most innovative brands in the world, they are a great partner to bring to life the power of Glade scent as a driver to emotion and creative expression," said Kelly M.

Glade and Cirque du Soleil have formed a partnership to prove there is more to scent than meets the nose

The Canadian star and his entourage partied after the show at Cirque.

I'm Draking over your TOILETS; HIP HOP SUPERSTAR HAS LADIES EVICTED FROM THE LAVVY FOR HIS POSSE'S AFTER-SHOW PARTY HT MT TY