Circumvent
/ˌsɜː.kəmˈvɛnt/noun
To find a way around an obstacle or to overcome a problem in a clever way.
Did you know?In medieval times, to circumvent also implied magical deception, suggesting a battle of wits against fate or authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kwen-
“To come, to arrive, a notion of movement.”
Latin
Latin
circumvenīre
“To come around, to surround or encircle.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
circumventus
“Surrounded or ensnared.”
Middle English
Middle English
circumventen
“To outwit, to avoid by cleverness.”
Modern English
English
circumvent
“To bypass an obstacle or limit, often with a sense of cleverness or deceit.”
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