Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “circum-” come from?

circum- (English) comes from Latin circum-, from Latin circum, from Latin circus, from Ancient Greek κρίκος, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱer- — dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth.

circum- (English): around

Definitions

  1. around

Ancestry of “circum-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincircum-circum-
2Latincircumabout, around; in a circle, all around, on both...
3Latincircusa circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a...
4Ancient Greekκρίκοςring
5Proto-Indo-European(s)ḱer-dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth

Words derived from “circum-”

  • circumnavigation
  • circumpolar
  • circumambulation
  • circumstellar
  • circumplex
  • circumnutation
  • circumlunar
  • circumoral
  • circumcircle
  • circumneutral
  • circumventricular
  • circumsporozoite
  • circumnuclear
  • circumcenter
  • circumnutate
  • circumbinary
  • circumfix
  • circumvolution
  • circumsolar
  • circumareolar
  • circumorbital
  • circumboreal
  • circumgyration
  • circumglobal
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱer- →