Editing Circular definition (section)

====Examples of narrowly circular definitions in dictionaries====
The 2007 [[Merriam-Webster]] dictionary defines a "hill" and a "mountain" this way:

: hill - "1: a usually rounded natural elevation of land '''lower than a mountain'''"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/hill "hill"]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 17, 2013.</ref>
: mountain - "1a: a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is '''higher than a hill'''"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/mountain "mountain"]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 17, 2013.</ref>

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary provides another example of a circular definition with the words "condescending" and "patronizing:"

: Main Entry: condescending<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescending "condescending"]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 17, 2013.</ref>
: Function: adjective
: 1 : showing or characterized by condescension: patronizing

From "condescension":

: Main Entry: condescension<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescension "condescension"]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 17, 2013.</ref>
: Function: noun
: 1 : voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
: 2 : '''patronizing attitude''' or behavior

To "patronize":

: Main Entry: patronize<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patronizing "patronizing"]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 17, 2013.</ref>
: Function: transitive verb
: 1 : to act as patron of: provide aid or support for
: 2 : '''to adopt an air of condescension toward''': treat haughtily or coolly
From the Oxford Dictionary of English: 

* Punishment – "a ''penalty'' inflicted as ''retribution'' for an offence".
* ''Penalty'' – "a punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract".
* ''Retribution'' – "punishment inflicted on someone as '''vengeance''' for a wrong or criminal act".
* '''Vengeance''' – "punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong".

Therefore, a punishment means "a ''punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract'' inflicted as ''punishment inflicted on someone as'' '''punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong''' ''for a wrong or criminal act'' for an offence". Obviously, this is not the final result of substitution as this would result in an endlessly long sentence.