Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “circumcision” come from?

Circumcision comes from Latin circumcisio, formed from Latin circum and Latin caedo, which derives from Proto-Indo-European keh₂id- meaning to cut.

circumcision (English): The surgical removal of the foreskin of the...

Definitions

  1. The surgical removal of the foreskin of the...

Ancestry of “circumcision”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincircumcisiocircumcision, a cutting around
2LatincircumcidoI cut around, make an incision around, clip,...
3Latincircum-circum-
4Latincircumabout, around; in a circle, all around, on both...
5Latincircusa circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a...
6Ancient Greekκρίκοςring
7Proto-Indo-European(s)ḱer-dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth

Words derived from “circumcision”

  • uncircumcision
  • anticircumcision
  • recircumcision
  • circumcisional
  • anti-circumcisionist
  • circumcisionism
  • pro-circumcisionist
  • circumcisionist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱer- →