ROUND, to tell tales, to “[SPLIT],” which see; “to ROUND on a man,” to swear to him as being the person, &c. Synonymous with “[BUFF],” which see. Shakespere has ROUNDING, whispering.
ROUND, “ROUND dealing,” honest trading; “ROUND sum,” a large sum. Synonymous also in a slang sense with [SQUARE], which see.
ROUNDS, shirt collars—apparently a mere shortening of “All Rounds,” or “All Rounders,” names of fashionable collars.
ROUNDS (in the language of the street), the BEATS or usual walks of the costermonger to sell his stock. A term used by street folk generally.
“Watchmen, sometimes they made their sallies,
And walk’d their ROUNDS through streets and allies.”
Ned Ward’s Vulgus Britannicus, 1710.
ROUND ROBIN, a petition, or paper of remonstrance, with the signatures written in a circle,—to prevent the first signer, or ringleader, from being discovered.
ROUNDABOUTS, large swings of four compartments, each the size, and very much the shape, of the body of a cart, capable of seating six or eight boys and girls, erected in a high frame, and turned round by men at a windlass. Fairs and merry-makings generally abound with them. The frames take to pieces, and are carried in vans by miserable horses, from fair to fair, &c.
ROW, a noisy disturbance, tumult, or trouble. Originally Cambridge, now universal. Seventy years ago it was written ROUE, which would indicate a French origin from roué, a profligate, or disturber of the peace.—Vide George Parker’s Life’s Painter, 1789, p. 122.