Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “round” come from?

Round derives from Middle French aronde, from Latin rotundus meaning circular, from Latin rota meaning wheel.

round (English): Shape; Complete, whole, not lacking; Convenient...

Definitions

  1. Shape; Complete, whole, not lacking; Convenient...

Ancestry of “round”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishroundcircle, round
2Old Frenchreontround
3Latinretundus—
4Latinrotundusround, circular; spherical, rotund; rounded,...
5Latinrotō—
6LatinRotaan ecclesiastical appellate court in the Catholic...
7Proto-Italicrotā—
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanHróth₂-eh₂—
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanHreth₂-to run

Words derived from “round”

  • rounds
  • roundabout
  • roundish
  • roundhouse
  • Roundhead
  • roundworm
  • roundhead
  • roundheaded
  • roundsman
  • roundaboutness
  • unround
  • roundball
  • roundback
  • roundleaf
  • nonround
  • roundfish
  • rundle
  • postround
  • preround
  • roundeth
  • roundarm
  • roundeye
  • obround
  • roundheels
Every word from Proto-Indo-European Hreth₂- →