Etymologically
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circumcludo

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:06. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɪr.kʊŋˈkɫuː.doː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [t͡ʃir.kuŋˈkluː.do][1]

Forms

circumclūdō (present infinitive circumclūdere, perfect active circumclūsī, supine circumclūsum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from circum- “around” and claudō “to close”, in its compound form ⟨-clūdō⟩.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Caesar, who says the Germans edge aurochs horns with silver.[2][3] Köbler dates Caesar c. 50 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to surround, encircle with a structure, and to surround an army, as in Caesar.[2] Lewis & Short note it is used in good classical prose.[5]

Timeline

  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it.[2][4]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To enclose, encircle.[2]
  2. To surround (an army).[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press