Hemicycle
/ˈhɛmɪˌsaɪ.kəl/noun
A semicircular space, structure, or assembly chamber.
Did you know?Hemicycle comes from Greek *hēmi-* (“half”) + *kyklos* (“circle”), and that same ancient *kyklos* also gave us words like *cycle* and *cyclone*—a reminder that language loves to keep spinning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷel-
“to turn, revolve”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κυκλος (kyklos)
“circle, wheel”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἡμικύκλιον (hēmikyklion)
“half-circle, semicircular figure”
Late Latin
Latin
hemicyclium
“a semicircular place or form”
14th–16th Century
Middle French / English
hemicycle
“a semicircular space or structure”
Modern English
English
hemicycle
“a semicircular chamber or arrangement, especially in a legislature”