Where does “circus” come from?
circus (Latin) comes from Ancient Greek κρίκος, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ḱer- — dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth.
circus (Latin): a circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a...
Definitions
- a circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a...
Ancestry of “circus”, step by step
circus traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Ancient Greek κρίκος
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | κρίκος | ring |
| 2 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)ḱer- | dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth |
via Ancient Greek κίρκος
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | κίρκος | type of hawk or falcon; type of wolf; circle,... |