Word: round robin Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From round (adjective) + robin. Sense 1 (“senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around”) is connected with the word round, while sense 2 (“senses relating to people, animals, or plants”) is connected with some English regional senses of the word robin where it is used in the names of various fish and plants which are not related to the red-breasted bird. However, apart from the alliteration, it is not clear why the two words came to be linked together in compounds. It is possible that the term was first used to refer to sense 1.13.1 (“consecrated host”) which appears to be the earliest attested sense, and then extended to other senses either having the sense of round or robin. Alternatively, it has been suggested that the term is a corruption of French ruban rond (literally “round ribbon”), referring to the practice in 17th-century France of signing on ribbons which were then attached to petitions of grievances in a circular manner: see sense 1.1. However, this etymology does not explain the senses of the term unrelated to a signed document. Pronunciation: /ˌɹaʊnd ˈɹɒbɪn/, /ˌɹaʊn(d)ˈɹɑbən/ 1. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: This being approved of, it vvas unanimouſly reſolved on, and the undervvritten Petition dravvn up and ſigned by the vvhole Company in the Manner of vvhat they call a Round Robin, that is, the Names vvere vvrit in a Circle, to avoid all Appearance of Pre-eminence, and leaſt any Perſon ſhould be mark'd out by the Government, as a principal Rogue among them. Example: [T]he Method uſed by Sailors vvhen they mutiny, by ſigning their Names in an orbicular manner, vvhich they call, a round Robin; vvhence the Phraſe, VVe have him as round as a Robin. 2. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive 3. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: a round-robin novel 4. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: Stamp collectors sometimes exchange stamps with each other using a round-robin method. 5. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive, figuratively Example: Think only what your feelings would be if you heard a wretch deliberately perjure himself in support of an infamous accusation, so remote from all fact, so smooth and homogeneous in its untruth, such a round robin of mere lies, that you knew not which to begin with? 6. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive 7. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive 8. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: If you load a saxophone sound, for example, the library gives you the entire range of the instrument, with round robins, and a depth of velocity-triggered samples for each note. 9. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: Internet, also, attributive 10. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: Devon, also, archaic, attributive 11. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: Round robins are undertaken for a variety of motives: (1) to accumulate data that may be used to determine the precision and accuracy of a new or modified test procedure, (2) to recheck an established procedure to ascertain whether there has been a deterioration in the accuracy arising from departures from the prescribed routine, (3) to test the applicability of an established procedure to new materials, and (4) to maintain a periodic check on the performance of a group of laboratories. […] There is the risk of wasting much effort if a full-scale round robin reveals a diversity among the results that can only be explained by shortcomings and ambiguities in the instructions for performing the test. Example: The value of interlaboratory tests or round robins has been significant in the FFTF programs. They have shown biases, problems with contamination from containers, and the need for standards. This information has led to prompt correction of problems; whereas, a single laboratory might have considerable difficulty in identifying such difficulties. 12. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive, often Example: At Tokyo's Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Japan defended well and attacked with ease, facing only moderate resistance in a 25-9, 25-19, 25-15 victory in the eight-team round robin, with two berths in next year's Paris Olympics up for grabs. Example: Sixteen men and sixteen women will compete for their respective gold medals in the inaugural edition of Olympic breaking. Each of the competitions are a one-day tournament that begins with round-robin competitions before quarterfinal and semifinal stages that lead into the medal events. 13. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive, derogatory Example: [T]he Sacrament of the Altar, is nothing elſe but a piece of bread, or a little predie Round-Robin. 14. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive Example: In the dayes of King Arthur of Bradley, and his four hundred forty ſixe Elders of the Round Table, the firſt men that ever vvore Round-Robins, there lived a Paſtor vvhoſe Fame (you all have had a ſpice of) called Cornelius, […] it vvas his Fate by the heat of overmuch Devotion, to conclude his dayes, and preach his ovvn Funerall Sermon. 15. Senses relating to something with a round shape, or which goes around. Labels: also, attributive, obsolete Example: Cut′too-plate. A hood above the nave or hub of a vehicle, to prevent the street mud from falling upon the axle and becoming ground in between the axle-box and spindle. Otherwise called a dirt-board, or round robbin. It is attached to the axle or bolster. 16. Senses relating to people, animals, or plants. Labels: Caribbean, US 17. Senses relating to people, animals, or plants. Labels: Cornwall, archaic 18. Senses relating to people, animals, or plants. Labels: archaic 19. Senses relating to people, animals, or plants. Labels: obsolete 20. Senses relating to people, animals, or plants. Labels: Canada, US, obsolete, rare