Circumambulate
/ˌsɜːr.kəmˈæm.bjə.leɪt/noun
To walk around something, especially in a ritual or ceremonial way.
Did you know?Circumambulation is a real sacred practice in many religions, where circling an altar, shrine, or temple is believed to mark, honor, or activate holy space.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂mel-
“to walk, move about”
Latin
Latin
ambulāre
“to walk”
Latin
Latin
circum
“around, in a circle”
Late Latin
Latin
circumambulāre
“to walk around”
14th–16th Century
English
circumambulate
“to walk around formally or ceremonially”
Modern English
English
circumambulate
“to walk around something, especially in a ritual or ceremonial way”
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