# round (shape)

a thing whose boundary is the same distance from its center in every direction

- Computed level: L14 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: round  ·  Arena: lexicon

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit), [center](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-center.location), [space](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-space.extent), [direction](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-direction.spatial)

**Through:** the center and directions define reference points from which the boundary maintains a constant distance in all directions

**Novel properties:**
- constant radial distance
- symmetry around center
- uniform curvature

## Examples
- The Earth's equatorial bulge makes its equatorial diameter 43 kilometers greater than its polar diameter, yet it remains approximately round due to gravity. *(astronomy)*
- A soap bubble in still air forms a nearly perfect sphere, minimizing surface tension across its boundary. *(physics)*
- The Pantheon's dome in Rome maintains a round interior space, defined by its coffered concrete curvature converging at a central oculus. *(architecture)*

## Used by
- [wheel](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-wheel.tool) (L15)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-round.shape*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-round.shape.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*