Circum
/ˈsɜːrkəm/noun
A Latin-derived English prefix or combining form meaning around, surrounding, or on all sides.
Did you know?In Latin, circum was connected with the imagery of circling and enclosure, which helped shape words for circles, arenas, circuits, and boundaries.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sker-
“To turn, bend, or move around”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*kirkum
“Around or in a circle”
Ancient Latin
Latin
circum
“Around; on every side; surrounding”
Classical Latin
Latin
circus
“A circle, ring, or circular arena, from the same turning imagery”
Medieval Latin
Latin
circum-
“A productive prefix meaning around or about”
Modern English
English
circum- / circum
“A combining form meaning around, as in circumference, circumstantial, and circumsolar”