Blood Circulation
/ˈblʌd ˌsɜːr.kjəˈleɪ.ʃən/noun
The continuous movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels.
Did you know?Before William Harvey demonstrated systemic circulation in 1628, many European physicians followed Galen’s theory that blood was continually produced and consumed rather than circulating in a closed loop.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhlo-to-
“A reconstructed root associated with swelling or bursting; it gave rise to Germanic words connected with blood.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*blōþam
“Blood, the vital red fluid.”
Old English
Old English
blōd
“Blood; the life-bearing fluid of the body.”
Latin
Latin
circulus
“A small circle or ring, from which the idea of moving around a circuit developed.”
Late Latin
Latin
circulatio
“A circular movement or revolving motion.”
14th Century
Middle English
circulacioun
“Circular movement; rotation or revolution.”
Modern English
English
blood circulation
“The circulation of blood through the heart and vessels, a meaning established in early modern medical writing.”