circiter

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈkɪr.kɪ.tɛr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈt͡ʃir.t͡ʃi.ter]^[1]

Forms

circiter (+ accusative)^[1]

Etymology

It is from circus “ring” or circum “around” with the adverb suffix -ter, like propter.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan's first source is Plautus, whom Köbler dates c. 250–184 BC.^[3][4] The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of place.^[2]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb it meant round about, as in Hemina's “a stone square on every side”, and nearly, about, of time in Plautus and of amount in Varro.^[2][5] As a preposition it meant near, about, of place in Plautus and of time in Cicero.^[2]

Aldhelm and Bede used it for approximately, as in “a boy of about three years”.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[3][2][4]
• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of amounts.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it as a preposition of time.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Round about.^[5]
2. Nearly, about, approximately.^[2]

Preposition

1. (with accusative) Near, about (of place or time).^[2]

Related words

• circā
• circulāris
• circulātim
• circulātiō
• circulātor
• circulātōrius
• circulātrīx
• circulō
• circulor
• circulus
• circus
• circum

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press