Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “circumpolar” come from?

Circumpolar comes from Latin circum- meaning "around" combined with polaris meaning "of the poles," ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- meaning "to turn."

circumpolar (English): Located or found throughout a polar region; Of a...

Definitions

  1. Located or found throughout a polar region; Of a...

Ancestry of “circumpolar”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishcircum-around
2Latincircum-circum-
3Latincircumabout, around; in a circle, all around, on both...
4Latincircusa circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a...
5Ancient Greekκρίκοςring
6Proto-Indo-European(s)ḱer-dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱer- →