circiter
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Pronunciation
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
Preposition
- (with accusative) Near, about (of place or time).[2]
Related words
- circā
- circulāris
- circulātim
- circulātiō
- circulātor
- circulātōrius
- circulātrīx
- circulō
- circulor
- circulus
- circus
- circum
References
- ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ 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