Definition of "vicious circle" []

• A situation in which the apparent solution of one problem in a chain of circumstances creates a new problem and increases the difficulty of solving the original problem. Also called vicious cycle. (noun)
• A condition in which a disorder or disease gives rise to another that subsequently affects the first. (noun)
• Logic A fallacy in reasoning in which the premise is used to prove the conclusion, and the conclusion used to prove the premise. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This vicious circle explains how adoption of the coffee variety innovations widened the socioeconomic gaps between (1) adopters and nonadopters and (2) individuals originally high and low in socioeconomic status."
• "some comments attributed to you denigrating the State Department have been given fairly wide circulation in some Bureaus. all of these factors have contributed to a vicious circle of reactions and counter-reactions between the staff and the State Department;"