[syn: devious, circuitous, roundabout]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Roundabout \Round"a*bout`\, n.
1. A large horizontal wheel or frame, commonly with wooden
horses, etc., on which children ride; a merry-go-round; a
carousel. [British] --Smart.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. A dance performed in a circle. --Goldsmith.
[1913 Webster]
3. A short, close jacket worn by boys, sailors, etc.
[1913 Webster]
4. A state or scene of constant change, or of recurring labor
and vicissitude. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
5. a traffic circle. [Chiefly British]
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Roundabout \Round"a*bout`\, a.
1. Circuitous; going round; indirect; as, roundabout speech.
[1913 Webster]
We have taken a terrible roundabout road. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]
2. Encircling; enveloping; comprehensive. "Large, sound,
roundabout sense." --Locke.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
roundabout
adj 1: marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or
conduct; "the explanation was circuitous and puzzling";
"a roundabout paragraph"; "hear in a roundabout way that
her ex-husband was marrying her best friend" [syn:
circuitous, roundabout]
2: deviating from a straight course; "a scenic but devious
route"; "a long and circuitous journey by train and boat"; "a
roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic" [syn: devious,
circuitous, roundabout]
n 1: a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around
a central island; "the accident blocked all traffic at the
rotary" [syn: traffic circle, circle, rotary,
roundabout]
2: a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or
amusement [syn: carousel, carrousel, merry-go-round,
roundabout, whirligig]