circum-

¹

1. a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in Latin loanwords, especially derivatives of verbs that had the general senses “to encompass or surround” ( circumference; circumjacent; circumstance ) or “to go around” by the means or in the manner specified by the verb ( circumnavigate; circumscribe ); on this basis forming adjectives in English with the meaning “surrounding” that named by the stem ( circumocular; circumpolar ).

circum.

²

abbreviation for

1. circumference.

circum-

prefix

1. around; surrounding; on all sides

   circumrotate

   circumlocution

circum–

1. A prefix meaning “around”, as in circumscribe, to draw a figure around another figure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of circum-¹

From Latin circum “around” (accusative of circus; circus, circle ), originally as an adverb fixed in relation to the verb, later construed as a prefix

Word History and Origins

Origin of circum-¹

from Latin circum around, from circus circle

Example Sentences

But the Latinate words that the dance brings to mind are the ones that start with “circum,” or ”around.”

From New York Times

“It got me thinking about the roots of the word ‘circumstance,’ which are ‘circum,’ meaning ‘circle,’ and ‘stance,’ or standing, I thought, wow, how apropos that was.”

From Los Angeles Times

He and more than 1,000 other immigrants in similar circum­stances say they should have a chance to return to their homes and families while fighting deportation.

From Washington Post

For another, a conversation, under these circum­stances, is an intimate act that calls for more delicacy than “be blunt.”

From New York Times

And that, at least, gave me some hope: that even under ordinary circum- stances, I still might find a way to live an extraordinary life.

From Literature